Things to do in  Malibu

You’ll find hiking trails aplenty in Malibu, so set an early alarm and head out to the Zuma Ridge Trailhead or Point Dume—a panoramic promontory where you can spot gray whales migrating down below. After a hearty lunch at Neptune’s Net or Malibu Seafood, you’ve earned a rest at sandy Zuma Beach.

Yes and no. Once you’re in Malibu, parts of the neighborhood can be navigated without a car—and finding parking along some of the more popular beaches can sometimes be tricky. But getting to Malibu without private transportation means either taking a taxi or relying on a very infrequent bus service.

Gray whales are on the move from December through the first half of April, so keep that in mind if you’re planning on any coastal whale watching. Otherwise, while Malibu is a year-round destination, the Los Angeles weather phenomenon nicknamed “June gloom” can make early summer days at the beach less than ideal.

Plenty of stars call Malibu home, from Jennifer Aniston to Leonardo DiCaprio. You can join an organized tour featuring local star homes, or find maps online for the self-guided version. For real-life sightings, head to the Malibu Country Mart, an outdoor shopping center where you might catch a celebrity running errands.

Malibu is famous for its stunning coastline and surfing hot spots like Topanga Beach, craggy, canyon-filled hiking trails overlooking the Pacific, and celebrity homes. But it’s also where you’ll find hilltop Getty Villa—a world-class art museum with adjoining gardens—and the ornate Malibu Hindu Temple, both well worth visiting.

It may be expensive to live in Malibu, but visiting the glamorous beach enclave doesn’t have to break the bank. Hiking and walking trails are free, and most beaches offer day-long parking passes at reasonable prices. That said, if your itinerary includes visits to, say, Nobu Malibu, then you’ll want to budget accordingly.