Malibu looks simple on a map: one long stretch of coastline north of Santa Monica. But show up without a plan and you’ll spend half your day circling parking lots or standing in line at the wrong pier. If you’re searching for things to do in Malibu Los Angeles, you want the spots locals actually visit, not just the ones that show up first on a map search.
This guide skips the filler and gets straight to what makes a Malibu day trip worth the drive up the Pacific Coast Highway. You’ll get 11 specific stops, from famous beaches to lesser-known viewpoints, plus practical notes on timing and access so you’re not guessing when the tide comes in or where to actually park.
We’ve guided thousands of visitors through this coastline, and the same question comes up every time: how do you see the real Malibu in a single day without wasting hours in transit? Below, we break down beaches, hikes, and hidden gems in an order that makes sense geographically, so you can build a route instead of bouncing back and forth along the coast.
1. Take a guided tour along the Pacific Coast Highway
The fastest way to actually understand Malibu instead of just driving through it is to let someone else handle the wheel and the storytelling. A guided PCH tour takes you past the famous stretches, tucked-away pullouts, and the celebrity gates of Malibu that most first-time visitors drive right by because they don’t know what they’re looking at. If you’re short on time or just don’t want to deal with Malibu’s notoriously scarce parking, this is the option that solves both problems at once.
What to expect
A typical tour runs anywhere from 90 minutes to a full day, depending on how deep you want to go into the coastline. You’ll ride in a private vehicle with a local guide who points out landmarks, shares the history behind them, and adjusts the route based on traffic, tides, or whatever you’re most curious about. Another Side of LA Tours runs private and small-group options along this exact stretch, including a full Malibu coastline and celebrity highlights tour that folds in beaches, overlooks, and photo spots pairing well with the rest of this list. Guides also know which pullouts have actual parking versus which ones will cost you 20 minutes of circling.
A good guide turns a scenic drive into a story you actually remember.
Best for
This works best for visitors who want context without doing the planning themselves. It’s also the right call for anyone traveling in a group, since splitting the cost of a private vehicle often beats renting a car and paying for parking at every stop. Couples celebrating an anniversary, families with young kids who tire out fast, and travelers on a tight schedule all get more out of Malibu this way than they would navigating it solo.
Good to know
Book ahead, especially on weekends between May and September when demand along the coast spikes. Ask your guide about combining the PCH drive with a stop at the Getty Villa or Malibu Pier, since both sit right along the route and save you a second trip. Pricing varies by group size and vehicle type, so check current tour options to match the length and stops to your schedule before you lock in a date.
2. Watch the sunset at El Matador State Beach
El Matador is the beach that shows up in every Malibu photo you’ve seen online, and for good reason. Massive sandstone rock formations rise straight out of the water, framing the sunset in a way that makes even a quick 20-minute stop feel worth the drive. It’s one of the most photographed Malibu beaches, but it rarely feels crowded once you’re down on the sand.
What to expect
Getting there means walking down a steep staircase and then across loose sand, so plan for a bit of effort. Once you’re down, you’ll find tide pools, sea caves, and those signature rock arches that cast long shadows as the sun drops. Arrive 45 minutes before sunset to grab a spot on the rocks before the light show starts.
El Matador rewards anyone willing to walk down a few stairs with the best sunset view in Malibu.
Best for
Photographers, couples, and anyone chasing that iconic California sunset shot will get the most out of this stop, and it pairs well with the other must-see camera stops around Los Angeles.
Good to know
Parking is limited to a small lot along the Pacific Coast Highway, and it fills fast in summer. Check tide times before you go, since high tide can cover most of the usable sand. The California State Parks site lists current hours and closures worth checking before you head out.
3. Hike the bluffs at Point Dume State Beach
Point Dume juts out into the Pacific like a natural balcony, and climbing to the top gives you a view most visitors never bother to earn. The headland trail is short, but it puts you above the whitewater with a clear line of sight down the coast toward Zuma and back toward Point Dume Beach itself. This is one of the better Malibu hiking spots for anyone who wants scenery without committing to a full day on the trail, and it suits the same crowd drawn to guided hikes around Los Angeles.
What to expect
Expect a moderate, well-marked path that takes about 20 to 30 minutes round trip if you’re just aiming for the overlook. Wooden stairs and a paved switchback replace the old dirt scramble, so the climb is manageable for most fitness levels. Whale watchers show up here in winter, since the bluff sits high enough to spot migrating gray whales offshore, though a whale watching trip by boat gets you far closer.
A 20-minute climb here buys you the best whale-watching seats on the Malibu coast.
Best for
Hikers, whale watchers, and anyone traveling with older kids who can handle stairs will get the most out of this stop.
Good to know
Parking sits in a lot near the trailhead and fills up on weekends by late morning. Bring water and sun protection, since there’s little shade once you’re above the beach.
4. Surf or paddleboard at Surfrider Beach
Surfrider Beach sits right where Malibu Creek meets the ocean, and it’s one of the most famous surf breaks in Malibu for a reason. The waves here are long, gentle, and consistent, which is exactly why surfers have flocked here since the 1950s. If you’re wondering what to do in Malibu Los Angeles beyond sightseeing, this is the spot to actually get in the water, and it slots neatly into a wider tour of LA’s coastline.
What to expect
The break splits into three distinct point sections, each offering a slightly different ride depending on swell direction. Longboarders dominate the lineup, and the water stays warm enough for a spring suit most of the year. You’ll also spot paddleboarders working the flatter water near the pier, away from the main surf zone.
Surfrider’s gentle, predictable waves make it the easiest place in Malibu to actually learn to surf.
Best for
Beginner and intermediate surfers, paddleboarders, and anyone who wants to watch a genuinely skilled lineup work a wave will enjoy this stop most.
Good to know
Rent a board or book a lesson at the shops near Malibu Pier if you don’t have your own gear. Surfrider is a designated Marine Protected Area, so check the NOAA guidelines before fishing or collecting anything from the tide pools nearby.
5. Spend the day at Zuma Beach
Zuma Beach is the wide, sandy stretch that Malibu locals actually pick for a full beach day, not just a quick photo stop. It’s the largest of the Malibu beaches, and one of the roomiest of LA’s best beaches, with enough space to find open sand even when the parking lot is packed. If you’re looking for things to do in Malibu Los Angeles that don’t involve hiking or driving between stops, this is where you post up and stay put.
What to expect
Expect wide, groomed sand, lifeguard towers spaced along the whole length, and waves strong enough for boogie boarding but manageable for casual swimming. Volleyball courts sit near the main lot, and food trucks show up on busier weekends near the entrance. The beach runs nearly two miles, so walking toward the northern end gets you away from the crowds fast.
Zuma is the one Malibu beach built for staying all day, not just stopping for a photo.
Best for
Families, groups, and anyone who wants a full beach day with actual amenities nearby will get the most out of Zuma.
Good to know
Parking is metered and run by LA County, with lots filling by mid-morning in summer. Bring cash or a card for the meters, and check the LA County Beaches site for current lifeguard hours before you head out.
6. Tour the Getty Villa’s art and gardens
Swap sand for marble at the Getty Villa, a recreation of a first-century Roman country house perched above the Pacific. It’s one of the city’s best museums with free admission, though you’ll need a timed entry pass, and it’s one of the few Malibu attractions that works just as well on a foggy morning as a sunny afternoon. The collection focuses on Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art, but most visitors end up spending as much time in the gardens as the galleries.
What to expect
Walk through outer peristyle gardens with reflecting pools, herb plantings, and bronze statues before heading into the galleries themselves. The Getty Villa museum houses over 1,200 antiquities, and rotating exhibits mean the layout shifts every few months. Plan for two to three hours if you want to see the gardens, the main collection, and the outdoor theater built into the hillside.
The Getty Villa turns a free museum visit into the closest thing Malibu has to ancient Rome.
Best for
Art lovers, history buffs, and anyone traveling with kids who’d rather explore outdoors than stand in front of paintings will enjoy this stop most.
Good to know
Book your timed ticket in advance through the Getty’s official site, since same-day slots often sell out. Parking costs a flat fee per car, and photography is allowed in the gardens but restricted in some indoor galleries.
7. Shop and dine at Malibu Pier and Country Mart
Wrap up your day where locals actually shop and eat instead of another scenic overlook. Malibu Pier stretches out over the water near Surfrider Beach, while the Malibu Country Mart sits a short drive inland with a mix of boutiques and restaurants built around open-air courtyards. Together they cover the two things a long beach day usually leaves you wanting: a place to eat and something other than sand to walk on.
What to expect
Walk the length of the pier for open ocean views and a look at the historic building at its end, now home to a small restaurant. At the Country Mart, expect a mix of upscale boutiques, a proper bookstore, and casual spots serving everything from tacos to fresh seafood. Both areas stay walkable and low-key compared to busier LA shopping districts.
The pier and the mart give Malibu its only real walk-and-browse stretch on this whole list.
Best for
Couples winding down after a beach day, families needing a real meal, and anyone who wants a slower pace after hiking or surfing will enjoy this stop most.
Good to know
Parking near the pier fills up fast on weekends, so arrive before noon if you want a spot close by. The Country Mart has its own free lot, and most restaurants there take reservations, which is worth doing in summer.
Making the most of your Malibu day
Seven stops sound doable until you’re stuck in PCH traffic wondering why the drive between El Matador and Zuma took 40 minutes instead of 10. Malibu rewards a loose plan: pick two or three anchors, like a sunset beach and a hike, then let the rest fill in around meals and parking realities. Trying to hit all 11 in one day usually means rushing the parts that actually make Malibu worth the trip.
Group your stops by geography, not by how they rank on a list. Point Dume and Zuma sit close together, while the Getty Villa and Malibu Pier pair naturally for a slower, food-and-culture half day. If you’d rather skip the logistics entirely, a guide can string these Malibu highlights together in the right order and handle parking for you. Reserve a private LA tour with hotel pickup and a local guide and spend your day looking at the coastline instead of your maps app.
