Malibu Weekend Guide

Contributed By Erina Pindar

With views from every cliff, charming restaurants and a relaxed pace, it’s easy to fall for Malibu. This region — located right outside of busy LA — has a vibe that’s chill, but still chic enough to attract celebrities and socialites. Its laid back-surfer town feel and sweeping vistas are hard to beat!

Stay

Perched right above the beach, you can hear the waves crash from your room when staying at the Malibu Beach Inn. The property has a laid back, simple aesthetic with a hint of coastal decor. With great restaurants close by alongside the beach, the location can’t be beat. Rooms are quiet and provide for a relaxing getaway. Of course, there’s a spa allowing for a true R&R retreat. | Book Here >>

If your primary focus is to have a health and wellness retreat in a beautiful setting, consider staying at The Ranch Malibu. Guests will find that luxury meets well-being in this stunning location. The ranch offers three acclaimed fitness and wellness programs, each designed to recalibrate the mind and body. This is not your typical spa or resort vacation though; the team pairs an intense regimen with a highly structured nutritional diet to get guests real results. The Ranch Malibu luxury boot camp is dedicated to improving the quality of one’s life by improving their health. | Book Here >>

Known as the hotel that houses the restaurant that every celebrity and their mother (okay, maybe just the Kris Jenner) is posting on Instagram, Nobu Ryokan is a stylish Malibu oasis. This hotel has Japanese-inspired decor that is simple and sleek enough to work beautifully in this beach town. It is located right next to Malibu Beach Inn, with tons of restaurants and the beach right there as well. If you somehow get tired of the beach, you can hang out in the garden by the fireplace as well. It is a small property with only 16 guest rooms. Eating sushi there is almost a requirement! | Book Now >>

Villa Rentals: Did you know that travel agents can book you private home accommodations? Malibu has a ton of amazing rentals that can fit your needs if you’re looking for a villa-style getaway. These are perfect for large group gatherings with friends or multi-generational family vacations!

Dine

1. Carbon Beach Club: Carbon Beach Club at Malibu Beach Inn is the place to be for lazy lunches and long dinners by the beach. Often frequented by locals, the menu drew inspiration from the Pacific and Mediterranean coasts with locally sourced ingredients from One Gun Ranch nearby and resident farmers’ market for a gorgeous seasonal menu.
2. Malibu Farms: This spot has the cutest seaside atmosphere with wooden chandeliers that sway in the wind. There are two Malibu Farms eateries located on the pier right next to each other, the more casual café and the restaurant. Both have a relaxed vibe that beg to be photographed. A diverse menu with some healthy, fresh options and of course, frosé. Malibu Farm Restaurant accepts reservations for dinner, but besides that, it’s first come first serve.
3. Nobu: The restaurant is where Hollywood and Malibu collide, it’s a place to see and be seen. Sushi fans will also rejoice, as they serve some of the best! It’s located above the beach with great views of the ocean, so even if you go for cocktails and skip the meal, it’s worth it. Enlist your travel advisor to help you make a reservation in advance.
4. Cafe Habana: Corn and cuban is how they describe their cuisine, and no one’s mad about it. The menu features all of your tex-mex favorites that are all simple, but done well. The atmosphere is laid back and romantic with hanging lights and greenery.
5. Geoffreys: The go-to white tablecloth, upscale spot in Malibu. With international cuisine with coastal views its a perfect spot for a romantic dinner.
6. Malibu Seafood Cafe: This spot makes fast-food seafood a cool thing. Look no further than their line for proof. If you love good seafood in a super casual atmosphere, this place is for you. Just walk up and order at the window!
7. Malibu Burger Co: Here you’ll find all of the classic burger options, as well as plant-based choices with vegan cheese and various bowls.
8. Taverna Tony: Tzatziki anyone? Taverna Tony serves Greek food with live Greek music for those who enjoy something a little extra. If you’re looking for it to be livelier, head there on a weekend night.
9. Calamigos Beach Club Restaurant: Here you’ll find a five acre ranch with mid-century decor, located right along the beach. It’s a little further off-the-beaten-path, but you won’t mind once your toes hit the sand for the beach bar!

Drink

1. Moonshadows: This is a seaside spot with great views! Perfect for a daytime drink and some grub.
2. Rosenthal Wine: Loved this wine bar in a cute outdoor space. They have events, including live music, so make sure to check out their calendar.
3. Malibu Wines: The sister property to Malibu Wine Safari, at Malibu Wines, you can keep drinking your favorite wine that you tasted on the safari with just a quick shuttle ride. It’s definitely off-the-beaten-path, but you can go there just for wine tasting as well. They have live music some evenings and a food truck that frequently makes an appearance.
4. Nobu: This spot has already showed up in this list a couple times, but there aren’t many nightlife places in Malibu and this is a good one to grab a drink. Be warned that even they don’t stay open late.

Play

1. Malibu Wine Hikes: Make a trip here if you’re looking for a completely unique experience in a stunning atmosphere. You can choose from different tour options, but the combination of getting to see the safari animals and do wine tasting is hard to beat. You get to feed animals (the friendly ones), see some others, and taste red and white wines that they grow in their on-site vineyards. Feeding Stanley the giraffe is definitely a highlight! The property is huge and has such gorgeous views of rolling mountains and cool rock formations. The tour guides are super friendly and witty. Just make sure to get a ticket in advance and show up with plenty of time before your tour start time to check-in.
2. El Matador State Beach: Talk about a stunning place! Being at El Matador feels like being in Portugal or some far away place. The cliffs are massive and the rock formations that jut out of nowhere are so cool! Grab a blanket and head down the long and steep path to the sand, it’s so worth it.
3. Hike: There are lots of well known hikes in Malibu that each have special qualities. Solstice Canyon hike is a popular one with different levels of difficulty. Check out the perennial waterfall, as long as water is actually flowing from it (sometimes it gets dried out). Tuna Canyon Park and Charmlee Wilderness Park are some other frequently hiked spots, to name a few.
4. Nicholas Canyon Beach: A classic beach along a pretty U shaped section. Park at the lot up top (you need to pay) and then climb down the stairs to the put your toes in the sand. This is a great spot to surf!
5. Point Dume State Beach: A boardwalk, a beach, and sea lions all gather in this spot. It is a nature preserve that is located along a coastal bluff. Ascend the trail to the sand dune and take in the incredible views.
6. Surf: Speaking of surfing, if you are talented enough then you won’t want to miss out on surfing in this iconic destination. Some of the most popular surfing spots are Zuma Beach, Nicholas Canyon Beach, Surfrider Beach, Topanga Beach, Topanga Beach and County Line.

Stay

Malibu Beach Inn, 22878 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
Nobu Ryokan, 22752 CA-1, Malibu, CA 90265
The Ranch Malibu, 12220 Cotharin Rd, Malibu, CA 90265

Dine

Carbon Beach Club, 22878 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 | (310) 460-7509
Malibu Farms, 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 | (310) 456-1112
Nobu Malibu, 22706 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 | (310) 317-9140
Cafe Habana Malibu, 3939 Cross Creek Rd, Malibu, CA 90265 | (310) 317-0300
Geoffrey’s, 27400 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 | (310) 457-1519
Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market & Patio Cafe, 25653 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 | (310) 456-3430
Malibu Burger Cafe, 23359 Pacific Coast Hwy #3874A, Malibu, CA 90265 | (310) 317-0153
Taverna Tony, 23410 Civic Center Way, Malibu, CA 90265 | (310) 317-9667
Calamigos Beach Club, 26025 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 | (818) 575-4400

Drink

Moonshadows Malibu, 20356 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 | (310) 456-3010
Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio, 18741 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 | (310) 456-1392
Malibu Wines, 32111 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 | (818) 497-2206
Nobu Malibu, 22706 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 | (310) 317-9140

Play

Malibu Wine Safari, 32111 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 | (818) 497-2206
El Matador State Beach, 32350 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 | (818) 880-0363
Hiking at Solstice Canyon, 3455 Solstice Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA 90265 | (805) 370-2301
Nicholas Canyon Beach, 33850 CA-1, Malibu, CA 90265 | (424) 526-7777
Point Dume, Cliffside Dr & Birdview Ave, Malibu, CA 90265