Ah, Malibu! What a magical place.
In October 2019, I found myself driving down the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) on a gorgeous, sunny day with the dream of exploring different beaches in Malibu. Here’s what I discovered.
My day started at the Hotel Beverly Terrace, a charming mid-century modern hotel in Beverly Hills. I’ll do a dedicated hotel room review, but spoiler alert: I loved this hotel!
I left a little after rush hour at 10 am in my rental car, which was nostalgically a Volkswagen Passat (I used to drive a Jetta). The ride out to Malibu was easy. My strategy was to go out to the farthest point in Malibu and then work my way back toward LA, as I didn’t want to keep cutting across the PCH. This proved to be a smart strategy.
The drive to my first stop, El Matador State Beach, was just under one hour. I did make one stop at a charming shopping center for coffee just before the beach which had a Starbucks and a few cute shops and boutiques (Google maps link).
El Matador State Beach
If you go to Malibu, you must visit El Matador State Beach! It’s akin to something you would see in a movie, with dramatic cliffs and tall sea stacks. This is a beach that’s perfect for a long stroll. There’s not a ton of sand space for laying out, but the natural beauty of the rocks and cliffs is nothing short of spectacular. While I was here, I couldn’t stop smiling.
It’s worth noting that you do need to pay for parking here. You can pay $3 per hour for parking or the day rate is $10. There are pay machines in the parking lot. The parking lot is also very small, so come early so you’re not disappointed!
Point Dume State Beach
After a lovely first stop, I traveled down the PCH to Point Dume State Beach. In contrast to El Matador Beach, Point Dume is your classic yet stunningly beautiful beach. Think wide expanses of sand, cerulean blue water, and classic lifeguard stands.
It’s the kind of beach that you would want to spend the day at!
I parked at the beach for free, but I did see parking payment stations, so I would assume that you need to pay during peak seasons. Apologies that I don’t have the amounts, but I am sure you could find it online.
Late Lunch At Malibu Farm Cafe
After lots of driving and glorious time spent at the beach, I had worked up an appetite. I had heard amazing things about the Malibu Farm Cafe and it did not disappoint. I parked in a lot next to the Malibu Pier, which was $15, but I couldn’t find any parking along the PCH beforehand.
The Malibu Pier dates back to 1905 and is an iconic landmark next to the famous surfrider beach. Today, it is home to the Malibu Farm Cafe and a charming gift shop called Malibu Beach Supply Co.
I didn’t realize that there are actually Malibu Farm Cafe locations at both ends of the pier. On the far end, there’s a casual cafe location that was not open during my visit, as I arrived after 3 pm. On the entrance of the pier, there’s a cafe location and a more formal restaurant location.
I was offered a seat outside and it was lovely! I feasted on a breaded chicken sandwich, which came with a salad, and wild rice. I also had an iced coffee. Both were divine!
Here’s a look at the more formal restaurant space. I would love to come back for dinner!
After my late lunch, I strolled down the pier to check out the Malibu Beach Supply Co. It is such a lovely shop. A touch pricey, but not surprisingly so given the area.
Final Thoughts
What a lovely day! This day came at the perfect time…I really needed a relaxing day in the sunshine exploring gorgeous beaches. I know that I have only scratched the surface on all that Malibu has to offer. I would love to come back in the future to explore this beautiful area more!
If you have any tips or recommendations on what to see and do in Malibu, leave them in a comment below. I would love to save them for my next trip and help out other travelers planning their Malibu visit.
If you want to see more of these gorgeous beaches, check out my vlog on YouTube!