A Moment of Calm in Malibu

Go for a hike: There are so many places to hike in Malibu. Take your pick of ocean views or mountains. We took basically every out-of-towner to Parker Mesa Overlook Trail–roughly seven miles out and back through the mountains and finishing off with a beautiful ocean view. Sandstone Peak is deeper in the Santa Monica Mountains—very short and steep but so worth it. When you summit Sandstone Peak, you feel like you are above the clouds. Zuma Loop is great because you can take several different routes, depending on whether you want ocean views or mountain views or both!

Visit the Getty Villa: A satellite campus of the famed Getty Center, the Getty Villa is an art museum designed in the style of an ancient Roman country home, and it is beautiful! The marble room is my favorite and the grounds are so stunning, complete with fountains and Greek statues.

Visit a beach: There are so many options for beaches. Zuma was my favorite for hanging, sunbathing, and relaxing. It’s a little further into Malibu, but still popular without being overwhelming. Point Dume is where I took pre-ceremony wedding pictures, and you can see why when you visit. The beach itself is stunning, but the cliff walk was one of our favorite things—not a full hike, but it still allowed us to get ocean views and a nice walk in. El Matador was where we had our ceremony and isn’t a beach I’d recommend laying out on, but it has breathtaking rock formations and cliff views, and it's lovely to walk on, especially during sunset or sunrise. There are steep stairs to get you onto the beach, so be prepared for that. As a bonus, you might start to recognize it in the background of some of your favorite movies.

Go surfing: I haven’t been surfing myself, but I always loved cruising up the coast on a Saturday morning and seeing the surfers bobbing along in the water. Malibu’s surfing scene is iconic for a reason, so grab a board, park on the shoulder of the PCH, and live out all your Point Break fantasies.

Go shopping at Malibu Country Mart: I stopped here often after hiking in the mountains, usually to grab coffee at Alfred’s or a smoothie at Sun Life Organics and do some window shopping at the many stores and boutiques.

Go wine tasting at The Barns at Cielo Farms: Take in stunning views of the Santa Monica mountains while tasting some lovely wines. The grounds are picturesque, the views are impeccable, and the pizza isn’t too bad either! This is deep in the mountains, so I recommend designating a driver, Ubering, or getting a car for the day.

Inn of the Seventh Ray: Our wedding dinner was here and it was a dream! It gives fairytale vibes hidden in Topanga Canyon nestled against a creek, mostly outside and covered in string lights. You can reserve a gazebo for a small fee, which would be so romantic for a special occasion—Valentine’s Day would be perfect!

Malibu Farm: The best place for a brunch after a hike. It's directly on the pier with a great view of the Pacific, so you can listen to the waves crashing underneath you while eating some fresh California cuisine. I recommend making a reservation for the outdoor dining with the Malibu Farm restaurant. If you want a more casual experience or didn’t make a reservation, head to the Malibu Pier Cafe at the end of the pier, which has a smaller menu but still a great breakfast/brunch!

Cafe on 27: Tucked away off Topanga Canyon Boulevard, this unassuming restaurant turns into a massive outdoor multi-floor treehouse, serving up casual, homey California cuisine. Reminds me of an upscale diner but among the treetops.

Topanga Living Cafe: More casual and modern restaurant across the street from Cafe on 27. Order at the register and browse the carefully curated shop inside before seating yourself on the sleek patio. It really gives a Malibu/Los Angeles vibe while remaining a casual post-hike place to grab a bite.

Endless Color: A funky pizza, wine, and record shop. Really fun atmosphere, decor, and wine selection. The colors, the records, and the disco balls really set this restaurant apart, and the natural wine selection doesn’t hurt either. They even have a wine club, so if you are local or semi-local, you can snag some great natural wine. If not, just enjoy a glass or a bottle with some delicious pizza.

Malibu Seafood: A casual, straightforward, beachy seafood spot. The lines can be long but it's worth the wait. Your choice of fish sandwiches, fried fish, or grilled fish platters. They have burgers and chicken sandwiches as well. It’s great to grab your food, eat it on their patio, or take it to eat on the beach.

Nobu Malibu: Speaks for itself—modern, great sushi, brunch is the way to go.

Broad Street Oyster: Quirky, vibrant, fun seafood restaurant. Great raw bar options, from oysters to ceviche, and their famous lobster rolls are great even though you aren’t in Maine! Be sure to check out Broad Street Coffee Co. to grab some coffee or ice cream.

Taverna Tony: Beautiful, lively Greek restaurant serving up traditional Greek dishes. Really fun and friendly atmosphere, with a stunning patio that is a mix of the Mediterranean and Malibu with great food. I am always a sucker for a mezze plate, some vegetarian dolmathes, and a chunky horiatiki (Greek salad with no lettuce).