Day Trippin’: A Short Travel Distance Can Still Feel Like An Escape
The beachfront city of Malibu is known for its lovely beaches, famous residents and a terrible Jamie Kennedy movie. Though it’s just a short trip north, there are many hidden gems in this mostly residential stretch of coast. Enough that it makes for a great day escape or place to take the out-of-towners. From beaches to food, the surprisingly low-key vibe of this beautiful place makes it a welcome retreat from the typical L.A. bustle.
If you are heading up to the Malibu area, you must take PCH. It’s just an unparalleled drive with the waves crashing on one side, and the rolling hills covered with homes on the other. If you start your trek in the morning, Survive the City recommends a breakfast stop at Patrick’s Roadhouse. Located just off PCH at Entrada Drive, the bright green, shamrock-laden building is hard to miss. This tiny nook that has been featured on the Food Network has a bevy of brunch favorites including omelettes, pancakes and toast. Sandwiches and burgers are available for those craving lunchtime fare.
Mid-day trips should include a stop at The Reel Inn just off PCH near Topanga Canyon. This local dive has a super casual vibe, but some of the tastiest fish around. The fish tacos are so fresh, and the just-off-the-beach vibe, makes this joint a perfect pit stop on your way to your Malibu adventure.
With a full belly, you can now proceed up the coast. If you happen to be in L.A. during the June gloom or one of our few rainy days, or if the beach just doesn’t call to you, the Getty Villa would be a great place for you to relax and absorb some cultural history in a famously stunning home. Like it’s the Getty Center, the Villa is full priceless works of art surrounding in architectural marvel. Not to mention, it’s free to go the Villa. However, they do ask that you book and print tickets ahead of time. So, it’s takes a little planning, but it’s worth it to see this fabulous Malibu site.
If you want to take advantage of the beautiful SoCal weather and enjoy the outdoors,
Solstice offers an pretty easy hike with interesting sites along the trail.
but sandy toes and salt water just aren’t your fav, Malibu has a number of hikes. This STCer is a fan of Solstice Canyon. Just off PCH and Solstice Canyon Road (by the 76 gas station), there is a very well kept state park. The main Solstice Canyon Trail is a shady, fairly easy hike, with a good payoff at the end. The end of this out-and-back trail goes to a lovely waterfall, and the remains of a burned down house. And if you feel like treating yourself after the hike, there is a wine tasting room for Rosenthal Winery right at the turn to the park on PCH. A tasting flight will run you about $12 here, but you deserve it after all the communing with nature.
But wait, we can’t really talk about Malibu without talking about beaches can we? Keep reading. We’ll get there. But before you hit the Malibu shore, you gotta make sure you are looking good. For stylin’ beach gear, Becker Surfboards has trendy suits, flops and hats and stuff for the kiddos. The store is located just off PCH in the large shopping center near Pepperdine. If you don’t find the right gear there, just a little drive up PCH, and you’ll find Clout. Near Zuma beach, this store carries threads essential for action sports.
Sunsets at El Matador are magical.
Once you have the gear, and you’re ready for the shore, I’m gonna let you in on the secret that is my favorite beach. Heading north past Point Dume, past Zuma, there will be one sign on the right for El Matador State Beach. Shortly after that sign, there will be a small, hard to find parking lot on the left. You park up here, paying the small fee for your car, and then trek down the side of a cliff to the sandy shores. This beach has a ton of sea caves and creatures and the shore can be rather small during high tides. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty. There isn’t accommodations here, so make sure to pack whatever supplies you will need. Don’t get over-zealous though. You will have to bring everything back up that very steep cliff.
These are just some of the hidden gems and local places in Malibu. There are surely more, but that’s for you to go out and discover, and when you do, let us know what you find. – Lori Bartlett
