Luxury holidays in Malibu

A 21-mile stretch of beachfront fabled for its surf scene and clifftop homes, Malibu is where the Beverly Hills set go for a beach break. In spite of this exclusivity (and some residents’ best efforts), every inch of Californian beach is remains public land, giving you the freedom to roam as you please. Among Malibu’s most famous are Surfrider Beach, a bucket-list destination on the surf scene, and Zuma Beach, a lively, sociable and oft-busy stretch of sand that’ll give you a true taste of So-Cal culture. And don’t miss El Matador, a secluded locals’ favourite – just make sure to keep an eye on the tide so you don’t get stranded. Other nearby hits include the Getty Villa, now home to a vast art collection, and the Adamson House, a Spanish Revival home decked in colourful Malibu tiles. Behind the city are the rolling Santa Monica Mountains, promising miles of unspoiled canyons, grassland and creeks to explore.

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When to go

Like the rest of Southern California, Malibu is a year-round destination, but temperatures are at their most reliable between May and September.

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Getting there

  • Planes

    The vast majority of visitors fly into Los Angeles International (LAX), then hire a car or have a driver take them up the coast, a journey of around an hour if the traffic is light.
  • Trains

    There aren’t any convenient stops for Malibu, so you’re much better off driving or taking a cab.
  • Automobiles

    They say the car is king in LA, and Malibu isn’t really any different. The city is spread along the coast and has no real centre, so it’s not particularly well laid out for walking.