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InsightHorizon Digest

Is Malibu worth visiting

Author

John Thompson

Updated on April 12, 2026

Malibu offers 27 miles of beachfront to explore, so whether you prefer to sun on the sand or get in the water, you’ll definitely enjoy spending time here. If you’re hoping to get a glimpse of some of those impressive beach homes, head to Carbon Beach, also known as Billionaire’s Beach.

What is so special about Malibu?

With homes high up on the bluff overlooking miles of fine sand beaches and spectacular views of the Pacific, Malibu, CA, is known for its fantastic surfing waves, iconic fishing pier and great shopping at the Malibu Country Mart.

How do I spend a day in Malibu?

  1. Travel back in time to the ancient Greek and Roman era.
  2. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch.
  3. Walk down the Malibu Pier.
  4. Hike the Malibu countryside.
  5. Explore the sea caves and watch the sunset at El Matador Beach.
  6. Dine with ocean views to end the day.

Is Malibu or Santa Monica nicer?

If you want to experience a bit more of a laid-back vibe with more budget options for lodging, Santa Monica is the better choice of California beach town. Malibu will appeal to vacationers seeking a more upscale vibe, as well as a much longer and more varied stretch of coastline.

Is Malibu better than Santa Barbara?

SB is much more reasonable, with you just having to ride over to State St. and then it’s much better to walk, as there’s little street parking available anyway. Malibu is great for some things, but based on your needs I’d suggest Santa Barbara. I would choose Santa Barbara for a 4 or 5 day stay.

Can you swim in Malibu Beach?

Besides surfing, you can also go swimming, fishing, and scuba diving during your visit. There are lifeguards on duty for added safety during the summer.

What famous person lives in Malibu?

Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, Paris Hilton, Charlie Sheen and Ellen DeGeneres are just a few who have called this place home. And below are 11 more who own some remarkably valuable real estate in the area, to boot.

Is Santa Barbara or Santa Monica better?

It depends on what you are looking for. If you just want to relax without a lot of sightseeing, I’d go with Santa Barbara. Santa Monica is more of a “city on the beach” that still experiences the hustle and bustle of LA, while Santa Barbara is more of a relaxed beach town.

Which is better Santa Monica vs Huntington Beach?

Santa Monica is a major residential area so traffic intensity is higher. Its a good place for night life, power building, bike rides, Venice Beach cafes, and the pier. Huntington Beach is a more relaxed beach area and more family friendly. Its easy to go on whale watching tours or take a day trip to Catalina.

What county is Zuma Beach?

GREAT EXPERIENCES. Welcome to Zuma Beach! The best beach in LA County in California, wide open clean sand, mild waves, plentiful parking, life-guards, food stands and bathrooms.

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Where do celebrities live in Malibu?

The top three neighborhoods with entertainment celebrities in residence are Carbon Beach, the Malibu Colony and Broad Beach. Of course the very private Colony is where it all started as described on the MalibuComplete.com page about the history and development of the Malibu Beach Motion Picture Colony.

Where can you see celebrities in Malibu?

  • Mr. Chow is a majorly frequented place that celebrities go to. …
  • Vintage Grocers is another shop to find some megastars. …
  • SoulCylce Malibu is yet another spot that gets swarmed with celebrities. …
  • Café Habana is another cool spot at Malibu Country Mart.

Does Malibu have a downtown area?

The only downtown area is near the Civic Center – Country Mart, Lumber Yard, and the mall at Webb Way. Very upscale boutique shopping, which is great, but expensive. Malibu is 27 miles long, a beautiful drive along PCH, great beaches and hiking trails of all levels, and is rural.

Who lives on billionaire Beach Malibu?

“Billionaire’s Beach,” as it is nicknamed, is home to a little more than 70 exclusive and luxury Malibu residences. An impressive list of Who’s Who, such as David Geffen, Dr. Dre, Rob Reiner, Larry Ellison and the former Dodgers CEO Jamie McCourt, have or have had residences here.

Is Malibu Beach private?

Public. Californians are passionate about their beaches, and Malibu has some of the most famous in the world. … In California, the area between the water line and the mean high tide line is public land by law. More simply put, wet sand means public beach.

Is Malibu safe to live?

Malibu is in the 27th percentile for safety, meaning 73% of cities are safer and 27% of cities are more dangerous. … The rate of crime in Malibu is 38.76 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. People who live in Malibu generally consider the north part of the city to be the safest.

Is Malibu beach crowded?

This is the most popular beach in Malibu and even though it is packed with people particularly on the weekends and summer holidays, you can always find yourself a spot on the sand because there is so much space here. Note that the northern side of the beach is the least crowded.

What is the nicest beach in LA?

  • Santa Monica. Santa Monica. …
  • Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach. …
  • Redondo Beach. Redondo Beach. …
  • Playa del Rey. Playa del Rey. …
  • Venice Beach Editor’s Pick. Venice Beach. …
  • Manhattan Beach. Manhattan Beach. …
  • Long Beach. Long Beach. …
  • Palos Verdes. Pelican Cove Beach, Palos Verdes.

Are Malibu beaches nice?

Malibu and its many stunning beaches are about 45 minutes to an hour west of downtown Los Angeles and 25 minutes north up the coast from the Santa Monica Pier in California. Known as having some of the best beaches in Los Angeles, Malibu stretches over 21 miles of coastline that hugs the Pacific Ocean.

Do any celebrities live in Santa Barbara?

Among those who maintain, or have maintained, homes here are Oprah Winfrey, Kirk Douglas, George Lucas, Carol Burnett, John Cleese, Drew Barrymore, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Charlize Theron, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Kenny Loggins, Kevin Costner, Rob Lowe, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, to name just a few.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or San Diego?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Diego and Santa Barbara, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. And not only is Santa Barbara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Barbara would let you spend less money overall.

Why is Santa Barbara famous?

Mission Santa Barbara Called the “Queen of the Missions” for its graceful beauty and picturesque setting, Mission Santa Barbara is the city’s most iconic landmark. … This is the only California mission to remain with the Franciscans since its founding in 1786, and a community of Franciscan friars still lives here today.

Why is Zuma Beach Famous?

One of the largest and most popular beaches in Los Angeles County, California, Zuma is known for its long, wide sands and excellent surf. It consistently ranks among the healthiest beaches for clean water conditions in Los Angeles County.

What was filmed at Zuma Beach?

  • Planet of the Apes (1968) G | 112 min | Adventure, Sci-Fi. …
  • Charlie’s Angels (2000) …
  • Indecent Proposal (1993) …
  • Barton Fink (1991) …
  • The Bling Ring (2013) …
  • Harper (1966) …
  • Love, Cheat & Steal (1993) …
  • Earth vs.

Can you drink alcohol on Malibu beaches?

Keeping it classy, Paradise Cove in Malibu only allows beer, wine, and champagne on the surf – no hard liquor. The beach opens every morning by 8, and visitors can drink and be merry all day until it closes later on at sunset.

Can you swim in Malibu Lagoon?

About Malibu Lagoon Beach This sandy beach is backed by a lagoon which you cross on boardwalks. As well as surfing, swimming and sunbathing this beach is also great for bird watching due to the nearby lagoon.

Can you walk along Malibu beach?

Public property—You can walk here! WELCOME TO THE BEACH! Just a stone’s throw from Los Angeles, the world-famous Malibu coastline offers 27 miles of scenic public beaches. Spend a day in the sun on one of the beautiful all-public beaches.

Why do celebrities live in Malibu?

Celebrities that call Malibu home. Celebs love Malibu because, even though it’s just a stone’s throw from Los Angeles, it offers a lot more privacy and seclusion than, say, Beverly Hills, not to mention some downright gorgeous beachfront views.

How do paparazzi know where celebrities are?

Some paparazzi just know where celebrities might be based on how popular the location is ie) clubs, restaurants, shopping areas. Then there are also celebrities who are looking for publicity that will call in certain paparazzi earlier to give them the heads up on their whereabouts.

Do you actually see celebrities in LA?

Yeah, it happens fairly often. I’ve lived and worked in Hollywood/WeHo/Beverly Hills now for 10 years and while it’s not like an every day thing – there’re a lot of people here – it’s usually in the most random circumstances you run into any celeb.

Does Malibu have a Main Street?

Steve Soboroff’s latest venture, named The Park, will bring retail and dining options as well as a slew of community features to the Civic Center area when it opens in 2019.