The best things to do in Malibu

Make the drive past Will Rogers and Surfrider beaches and you’ll be rewarded with a clean, wide patch of sand and surf at Zuma. This Malibu beach accommodates crowds with plenty of on-site parking (pay at the lot, or park for free along PCH) and lifeguards on duty. Directly to the south, you’ll find Point Dume State Beach, with both hikers and climbers scaling its iconic namesake rock face and strolling through seasonal wildflower fields atop its crown.

Time Out tip: You can skip the paid lots at Zuma and Point Dume and search for free all-day street parking on Westward Beach, a stretch of sand between the two.

Scale a cliff in Malibu.

Small, beautiful and dominated by rocky outcrops, El Matador is easily the most picturesque piece of coastline in the county. Wear shoes and don’t bring too much gear; the western Malibu beach is only accessible via a steep gravelly path from a paid parking lot. There are no lifeguards or other facilities, but it’s the perfect spot to spread your towel in the cupped hands of the rocks—just watch out for high tide, when sand comes at a premium. Arriving early or staying late should reward you with a memorable dawn or sunset.

Time Out tip: If you have a library card from anywhere within the state, you can check out a California State Library Parks Pass hangtag from your local library that will get you free parking at select beaches and parks, including El Matador.

Hike a 2.5-mile loop across the varied terrain of Saddlerock Ranch, take in stellar views of the scenic Malibu surroundings along the way and even see some Chumash Native American cave paintings, then reward yourself with some wine to-go at the end. The tasting room at Malibu Wines never reopened following the Woolsey Fire—the vineyard instead shifted its attention to a wine and beer garden in the Valley—so this two-hour hike is pretty much your only option to trek through the area.

Time Out tip: For more vino, the Barn at Cielo Farms is a three-minute drive away from the ranch—a Tuscan-style estate with a wine bar where you can sip and watch the sun set. It even hosts comedy nights once in a while.

With dramatic gorges, open pastures, hidden pools and jagged peaks, Malibu Creek is simply one of the most stunning spots in Southern California. The Santa Monica Mountains space is filled with scenic trails and, since this is still L.A. after all, a bit of silver-screen history: You can spot singed remnants of the M*A*S*H set and splash in the rock pool that was featured in Planet of the Apes.

Time Out tip: If you stick around till nighttime, Malibu Creek State Park is one of the few spots in L.A. County that gets dark enough to see some stars in the sky. 

Leo Carrillo has the best of both worlds—a well-equipped stretch of sand with seclusion and scenic beauty. Stretching one and a half miles across the north tip of Malibu, you’ll find comparatively quiet beaches here, as well as a canyon full of campsites just across the street. Longboarders can paddle out for mellow waves—the water gets no more than chest-high at this point break—while nature lovers can explore tide pools on the rock-dotted coastline and a nearby trail.

Time Out tip: You don’t have to leave Fido at home on your beach day—the northern portion of Leo Carrillo (as well as the campground) is one of the rare beaches where leashed dogs are allowed.

While the deep-fried seafood here is tasty enough, Neptune’s Net is worth a visit for its postcard-perfect location alone. With a colorful front porch that dates back to the ’50s and a ceaseless stream of bikers, the water-adjacent spot beckons motorists making their way along PCH. Take your bites across the street and watch the kite surfers at County Line Beach sail by.

Time Out tip: If you want superior seafood but a slightly less serene location, try the deservedly popular Malibu Seafood, where the long line is worth the wait.

“Malibu” in name only, this Hindu temple is technically in Calabasas, tucked away in the Santa Monica Mountains. Dedicated to the god Venkateswara, the temple holds regular services and special events year-round. Hungry? The kitchen serves South Indian vegetarian eats in its Balaji Canteen on the weekends. The breathtaking space is also available for weddings.

Time Out tip: Since the temple is a functioning place of worship, you’ll need to remove your shoes when you enter—so make sure you have socks if you don’t want to walk on the tiles barefoot.

This casual outdoor shopping and dining center attracts a mix of locals grabbing lunch in wet suits, celebrities pretending they don’t want to be seen, and tourists strolling through after a day at the beach. Restaurants range from take-away sandwich shops to upscale eateries, while the retailers mostly sell L.A. quintessentials: designer jeans and $100 T-shirts.

Time Out tip: For more shopping, make sure to also check out the adjacent Malibu Lumber Yard, a virtual extension of the Country Mart, as well as Malibu Village across the street—home to easily the area’s best lobster roll at Broad Street Oyster Co.

Those seeking escapism and romance may want to seek out another beach, but the payoff for fighting the crowds here is enjoying a stretch of sand deemed a World Surfing Reserve made famous by the real-life Gidget and other surf legends. The quintessential Malibu beach, Surfrider’s prime location makes for great people-watching, and its three-point break makes this a perennial hot spot for both short- and longboarders. Keep in mind, though, that swimming areas are limited here.

Time Out tip: Right across PCH, you’ll find the Surfrider Malibu, a former roadside motel turned stylish, beachy retreat that’s perfect for a staycation or vacationing beachgoers. It offers the best—and most exclusive—rooftop in Malibu (only for hotel guests), plus complimentary surfboards.

The charming Malibu Pier welcomes both local residents and tourists with breathtaking views of the coast, boutique shops and eateries. Unlike the crowded Santa Monica Pier, Malibu’s is a quiet, tranquil spot for a sunset stroll or beachside bite from Malibu Farm, the sit-down patio restaurant near the entrance (the Farm’s casual cafe counterpart is currently closed, as the end of the pier is under a temporary California State Parks closure).

Time Out tip: The pier is also a popular saltwater fishing destination—you don’t need a permit to cast a line over the deck and try your luck at catching halibut in the summer, or corbina and mackerel any time of year.

Why tackle Malibu’s rolling interior on two legs when you could do it on four? Malibu Riders hosts guided horseback rides across Malibu and Agoura Hills, ranging from a brief hourlong ride through Zuma Canyon to a two-hour option in Malibu Creek State Park. Our preference? The one-hour tour that starts by Paramount Ranch, which charts a course through wooded areas, creeks and open fields with a mountainous backdrop.

Time Out tip: Intermediate-level riders can opt for a private (and pricier at $300) tour through Malibu Creek State Park, which follows a different trail that reveals views of Century Lake and private Malibou Lake.

This striking 1929 Spanish Colonial Revival-style building sits inside the confines of Malibu Lagoon State Beach. The major attraction at Adamson House is the array of decorative tiles manufactured at the once-celebrated but now-closed Malibu Potteries, which was founded by “Founding Mother of Malibu” May Rindge. The guided tours offered Wednesdays through Saturdays allow visitors access to much of the property.

Time Out tip: Also on the premises (in the Adamson family’s former garage) is the Malibu Lagoon Museum, which traces Malibu’s history from the early Chumash era to its movie colony days to today.

This is one of the biggest waterfalls in Southern California: a two-tiered, 150-foot cascade that pours down a series of limestone rocks covered in bright-green moss. You’ll start on the approximately 3.5-mile journey from Winding Way East, a private road in the Malibu hills that takes you uphill past ocean-view estates. Be prepared to crisscross streams and do some serious rock-hopping.

Time Out tip: Depending on the time of year and amount of recent rainfall, you might find a fast-flowing waterfall or—more likely in the summer—more of a trickle, so temper your expectations.

Free timed tickets required.

This one’s technically just outside of Malibu, in a Pacific Palisades villa that dates back to 1974, when oil magnate J. Paul Getty opened a museum of his holdings. Eventually the decorative arts and paintings were moved to the Getty Center, and the villa was converted into a museum for Getty’s collection of Mediterranean antiquities. Today, there are roughly 1,200 artifacts on display at any one time, dated between 6,500 BC and 500 AD. Even if you’re not interested in art history, the palatial courtyards and manicured gardens alone are worth the visit. After surviving the Palisades Fire, the property closed for 5 1/2 months of cleanup efforts and is now open again.

Time Out tip: Every fall, don’t miss the villa’s Outdoor Classical Theater series. Seeing a play in the ancient-Greece-style amphitheater as you feel the Pacific Ocean breeze is a special experience.