Planning a Malibu vacation? We’re here to help!

Boasting over 21 miles of sandy beach, Malibu is the top choice for A-listers (and regular folks) looking for low-key getaways filled with sun, sand, sea, and incredible sunsets. Next time you are planning a break to the West Coast, make sure Malibu is in your itinerary. It’s the perfect destination for sun worshippers, food lovers, hikers, and urbanites alike. With downtown L.A. just down the highway, there’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy city life too. The time is now to make Malibu your very own very slice of the west coast.  

As you’d expect in a town beloved by A-listers and high net worth individuals, there are many fancy fine dining options to choose from in Malibu, but the star of the show is definitely the seafood. Five-star dining can be had at Nobu Malibu, which has been serving its signature Japanese-Peruvian dishes here since 1999. The Soho House group have recently opened Little Beach House Malibu. It’s a members’ only club, so you’ll need to visit with a member or, if you have an every house membership, apply to have the new location added to your card.

For something more relaxed, head to Malibu Country Mart for a spot of retail therapy and light bites. It’s located in the town’s civic center and is a haven for healthy lunches (and celeb spotting).

For organic treats, take a walk down to the end of Malibu Pier and grab a salad, crab cakes or burrito at the Malibu Farm Café. The view is pretty wonderful too. Lastly, make time for the Fresh Fish Market and Patio Café, it claims to serve the freshest seafood dishes in town. The clam chowder, fried fish, and shrimp salads are especially popular.

Malibu has over 20 beaches to choose from, starting with the one right outside your villa’s back door. Malibu and Zuma beaches are the most popular, with wide sandy expanses. During the high summer months, they do get very busy with L.A. dwellers looking to escape from the city, but don’t let that put you off looking out for dolphins on the horizon.

Carbon beach has the nickname ‘Billionaire’s Beach’ owing to the number of A-listers’ homes lining the postcard-perfect seaside. Surfers should head to Paradise Cove Beach, which is known for having the best waves, while Point Dume Nature reserve and Leo Carrillo beach have excellent walking trails, which you can take along the cliff tops to more secluded beaches nearby.

The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most beautiful coastal drives on the planet. It’s over 750 miles long and Malibu is just one of the beautiful locations on its route. If you’re looking to explore a little more of this gorgeous Cali coastline, renting a car and hitting the PCH might be just what the vacation doctor ordered. With almost non-stop views of the sea and the rocky coastline, you’ll never want to stop driving.

A 30-minute drive south from Malibu will deliver you to Santa Monica and its famous pier, filled with great places to grab a bite or have a drink. As the sun sets make sure to take a whirl on the pier’s iconic Ferris Wheel to see the coastline from a different perspective.

Just over an hour’s drive north is Santa Barbara, a picturesque town with a laidback, artisanal vibe filled with great restaurants, boutiques, and wine tasting rooms. Animal lovers should make time for the Carpinteria Harbour Seal Preserve and Rookery, just south of the city. The view of the seals from the cliff tops is one for the memory bank.

Where to stay – Malibu vacation rentals

OurMalibu beach house rentals are the last word in refined elegance and total relaxation. The villas are situated in the most sought neighborhoods, overlooking some of Malibu’s finest beaches, including Malibu, Broad, Zuma, Escondido, and Las Tunas. These villas are world class, and ultra-modern designs will enhance your vacation, through their open plan living spaces with floor to ceiling windows, spacious outdoor terraces, alfresco dining, and beach patio areas.

Whether it’s a romantic getaway or big family reunion, a Luxury Retreats villa has all of the mod cons needed to have a great time 24/7. From high spec granite-topped kitchens to marble flooring, king-sized beds, Sonos sound systems, fire pits, hot tubs, and wood burning fireplaces, whatever the purpose of your trip, these villas will deliver.

If you can tear yourself away from the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, there is plenty to see and experience all within a quick drive. If you fancy a spot of shopping, Beverly Hills and The Grove are only 30 minutes away. Or if a hike is more to your tastes, Topanga State Park is close too. Golf fans will appreciate the selection of courses close at hand, including Perenchio, West Lake, and Sherwood.