Malibu is a fantastic city. If you want your own private beach, buy a house in Malibu. It’s like owning a slice of heaven on earth. Take a nice leisurely drive north from Santa Monica on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and in about 40 minutes you’ll find yourself transported from the busy lifestyle of Los Angeles to a more laid back and relaxed environment. Malibu is a 21 mile stretch along PCH starting at about where Topanga Canyon meets the ocean.
Getty Villa
Located just outside of the city limits is the Getty Villa. Originally opened in 1974 oil tycoon J. Paul Getty ran out of room at his home in Pacific Palisades. And now we have the Getty Villa. It’s a beautiful space inspired by the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum. Be prepared to spend at least a half day at the Villa. You’ll find yourself wandering through rooms wondering how these magnificent works of art were created. Don’t worry though, the Villa offers many guided tours. They range from general orientations to more specific talks on various subjects. Check out their website for details.
Malibu Pier
This 105 year old landmark has seen some rough times. But fear not, in 2008 it underwent a complete refurbishment. In fact in 1995 it was closed to the public due to its poor state of disrepair. The rich history of the pier includes TV and movies like “Beach Blanket Bingo” and “Gidget.” There was also Alice’s Restaurant inspired by the Arlo Guthrie song that served the famed B-52 cocktail to throngs of visitors in its heyday. In WWII the pier was used as a lookout point in case enemy ships were spotted! In 1934 the Pier first opened to the public for fishing. You might have even seen stars such as Cesar Romero casting a line.
Malibu Bluffs Park
Taking the family to the park for a lunch time picnic? You’ll have an awesome view. This 6 acre park is located right off the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) near Pepperdine University. It has a baseball diamond, soccer field, and a playground. You can take a walk along the jogging path and enjoy the sun, or just relax for the afternoon until the sun sets and take a picture of this million dollar view.