Malibu is a seaside city that is about 50 kilometers (about 30 miles) to the west of downtown Los Angeles. This picturesque coastal village has a natural shoreline that is 21 miles long and is bounded on one side by the limitless ocean and on the other by the steep peaks of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Wildflowers bloom in plenty throughout the spring, painting the landscape of Malibu’s countryside in vivid colors. Meanwhile, rainfall brings in the first waterfalls of the year, which are among the most sought-after sights of the year.
These stunning waterfalls, in addition to other gorgeous landscapes, may be observed along a handful of Malibu’s numerous hiking routes. Malibu is home to a large number of hiking trails.
The steady breeze from the ocean blows throughout the year, helping to keep the temperature at a level that is bearable even during the hot months of summer in Southern California. Because of this, Malibu is the perfect place to visit throughout every season of the year!
The luxurious beachside mansions that adorn the verdant and rocky cliffs of the coast are set against a background of clear blue sky. If you wait until the sun goes down, you’ll see a lovely combination of pastel colors or a furious scarlet take over the blue that was there throughout the day. The town of Malibu is like something out of a picture-perfect postcard.
In addition to having stunning vistas, Malibu is a wonderful place to visit for anybody who enjoys being outside. Exploration opportunities abound in the natural world, and the proximity to the sea makes it easy to participate in a variety of aquatic pursuits. When you’re not lounging about in the warm rays of the sun, you’ll be enjoying some of the finest seafood or enjoying the simple pleasure of resting in the peaceful settings that Malibu has to offer.
Is it possible to visit Malibu for only one day and yet take in all of its splendor? Absolutely! An overnight stay in Malibu is not necessary if you follow the steps outlined in this schedule, which will walk you through the process step-by-step.
How do I spend a day in Malibu?
- Discover Adamson’s history by visiting the museum on-site.
- Take a trip back in time to Greece and Rome.
- A seafood lunch is always a good idea.
- The Malibu Pier is a great place to take a walk.
- Malibu’s countryside is a great place to go hiking.
- El Matador Beach is a great place to watch the sunset
- End the day with a meal overlooking the ocean.
Discover Adamson house museum
Visit the Adamson House Museum after your walk along the beach to learn more about Malibu’s history.
Until the late 18th century, the Chumash Indians lived at Malibu’s Adamson House, which was erected in 1929.
Rhoda Rindge Adamson and Merritt Huntley Adamson lived in their Mediterranean Revival-style house in the early 20th century after construction was completed.
The pair was well-known for their civic involvement and dairy company, which grew to be one of the biggest in the nation.
The tree-lined rear yard of the Adamson home with Mediterranean-style details, tiles, and plenty of vegetation.
Decorative ceramic tiling covers the walls and ceilings in all 10 rooms of this beautiful two-story house. The Adamson House was created by architect Stiles O. Clements, and his great creativity can be seen in every nook and crevice.
Information regarding parking and visitors may be found on the page here.
The Adamson House Museum is roughly a five-minute walk from the 23017 Pacific Coast Highway bus stop, which is situated directly after the Malibu pier.
Malibu, California 90265 (23200 Pacific Coast Highway)
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Take a trip back in time to Greece and Rome.
Step back in time to the opulent Roman town of Herculaneum in what is now southern Italy, yet without ever leaving the sunny shores of the Californian coast. What just happened?
To begin, a little background: Herculaneum was settled by the Romans in the 6th or 5th century BCE, depending on sources.
The Villa Dei Papiri (Villa of the Papyri) was formerly considered one of Rome’s most opulent residences until it was devastated by Mount Vesuvius’ 79 A.D. eruption, which also destroyed Herculaneum.
The Getty Villa in Malibu, California, offers tourists a rare chance to stroll around an old Roman residence like Villa Dei Papiri.
The villa’s architecture and landscaping are also spectacular, with fountains and statues adorning the grounds and columns lining the inner pathways. Many rare and ancient artifacts from the Greek, Etruscan, and Roman eras are on show in two galleries.
A view of the Getty Villa’s pool from an open door in a vertical photograph
The Getty Villa is free to visit, but reservations are required for timed entrance, so be sure to do so in advance online here.
There are no in-person tours available at this time, but you can get a free guided tour using the GettyGuide app, which you can get here. Between two and three hours is the typical amount of time it takes to see the Getty Villa.
Parking is $20 for cars, and only credit card payments may be made at the gate (no cash). When booking a reservation, it’s a good idea to buy parking ahead of time. Parking and transit details may be found on this page.
Coastline Drive and Pacific Coast Highway is a bus stop just across from the Getty Villa’s entrance if you’re traveling a 534 route bus. There is a bus station approximately 10 minutes away from the Getty Villa and a short walk from there to the Getty Villa itself.
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A seafood lunch is always a good idea.
When you’re in Malibu, the ocean is only a few steps away. As a result, seafood is a popular menu item at most Malibu restaurants, and for good reason—the seafood is always fresh and tasty!
Visit one of these eateries en the route before continuing on your journey. Select a restaurant from the list below to learn more about it. To be clear, the rates vary from reasonable to quite exorbitant.
The Malibu Pier is a great place to take a walk.
Skip through to the next stop without reading this section if you’re eating at the Malibu Farm Pier Cafe (located at the end of the Malibu Pier).
A trip around the Malibu Pier, however, will allow you to take in breathtaking vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Malibu Pier isn’t too busy, and there are a few stores and eateries to keep you occupied while you shop.
The fishermen may even be hauling in their large catch while on your stroll! Using the pier as a fishing platform is completely permissible; no license is needed.
In addition, the store at the pier’s end rents fishing gear. Visit this page to learn more about renting.
At 23000 CA-1 in Malibu, California, you’ll find our location.
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Malibu’s countryside is a great place to go hiking.
On many of Malibu’s hiking routes, you will be treated to breathtaking panoramas thanks to the proximity of the Santa Monica Mountains and the vastness of the Pacific Ocean.
During your one day in Malibu, if you have access to a car, you should strongly consider going on at least one of the following hikes:
Mesa Peak Path is a fairly tough out-and-back course that spans 4.8 miles and is located inside Malibu Creek State Park. The trail has a consistent ascent the whole way. On your ascent, you’ll have the opportunity to take in breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding mountains, and once you reach the halfway point, you’ll be able to look out over the whole coastline. You can turn around whenever you want if you’re on a tight schedule, but this trek will still provide a significant obstacle for you regardless of how far you go.
700 Malibu Canyon Road, Woodland Hills, California 91302 is the address for the trailhead.
Visit the vineyards at saddle rock ranch for a 2-mile circle and guided tour where you can observe farm and exotic animals, hear about the history, and take home a bottle of wine you made yourself. Malibu Wine Hikes is a great way to spend an afternoon in Malibu. The trip lasts for close to two hours and costs $49 for each individual participant. Make your reservation for the tour online here.
Address: 32111 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
The Escondido Falls Walk is a pleasant out-and-back track that spans 3.7 miles and has a stunning cascade. The trail is simple to hike. If you want to view the waterfall at its fullest, you should attempt to schedule your visit for a few days after it has rained recently.
A parking lot may be found near the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Winding Way. The address is as follows:
Consider going on one of the following treks if you’re going to be riding the bus:
Corral Canyon Circle Route: This trail, which can be found in Corral Canyon Park, is a short loop that spans 2.3 miles and offers uninterrupted vistas of the ocean the whole way. You may get information about the park by looking here.
To reach the trailhead from the bus stop, go east on Corral Canyon Road for about twenty minutes. The bus stop is located at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Corral Canyon.
Bus Stop: Arrive off at Pacific Coast Hwy and Corral Canyon, and then walk approximately 20 minutes west on Solstice Canyon Rd to get to the trailhead.
El Matador Beach is a great place to watch the sunset
El Matador Beach is frequented not only for lounging in the warm rays of the sun but also for exploring the beach’s spectacular rock formations and underwater caverns.
After you’ve exhausted your energy exploring the beach, choose a comfortable spot to rest and take in the breathtaking sunset that will soon follow. It’s the perfect way to wind down after a day spent in Malibu!
At the end of a picture-perfect day in Malibu, the sun sets over the ocean in front of El Matador Beach, casting a warm orange light over both the sea and the beach.
Take note that in order to reach the beach, you will need to down a flight of steps first. The cost to park for each hour in the beach lot is $3. Due to the limited space, if you are unable to locate parking in the lot, you are welcome to park along the Pacific Coast Highway.
If you are using the bus, you should get off at the intersection of Trancas Canyon and Pacific Coast Highway. From there, the beach is about 30 minutes or 2 miles west on foot.
Location: 32350 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California 90265
End the day with a meal overlooking the ocean.
There is simply no other way to bring your beautiful Malibu day trip to a close other than with a delectable meal while taking in the sights of the beach.
Corral Canyon Loop is a great trek to take if you’re taking the bus, and after you’re done, you can get some supper at Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market & Patio Cafe, which is conveniently located just next to the path (before heading to El Matador Beach).
Alternately, you might ride the 534 bus back in the direction of Santa Monica and get out at any one of the restaurants that are mentioned below. As a last-ditch effort, you can think about holding off till you get back to the downtown area of Santa Monica, where there are also hundreds of different dining establishments to choose from.
Discover the possibilities by clicking on the links provided for each restaurant down below. Take note that the costs vary from reasonable to expensive.
Is It Possible for You to Spend the Night in Malibu?
Is It Possible for You to Spend the Night in Malibu?
To tell you the truth, a stay in Malibu won’t come cheap, so if you have the opportunity to go back to Los Angeles, I recommend that you do so.
It is going to cost you a pretty penny to spend the night in Malibu, so be sure you have the cash on hand.
The Calamigos Guest Ranch & Beach Club is widely regarded as one of the world’s most luxurious hotel establishments. In addition to being situated in the mountains on a property that spans 200 acres, it has its own exclusive beach club, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds. It’s going to be quite difficult to drag yourself away from this resort when there are many pools and a spa.
At M Malibu, you have the option of booking a more reasonably priced room. To tell you the truth, there is nothing particularly remarkable about it, and the cost is still on the higher end of the spectrum, but it is the most cost-effective choice.