Malibu... One Word... Beach.
What can one say about Malibu… except that it is a one laid-back beautiful place! An eclectic area with about 25,000 people, just loaded with dozens of beautiful beaches along its 21 miles of coastline, stunning deep canyons to explore and enormous state parks to enjoy nature to your heart’s content. All of this coupled with a tumultuous and very interesting history, simply leaves you wanting for nothing at all. “Relax and enjoy life” is the mantra of Malibu. It’s an area that meshes high profile celebrities with the young “surfing” crowd, nature lovers with beach bums and art lovers visiting the amazing newly-renovated Getty Villa (technically located in The Palisades, but claimed by Malibu) with shoppers hitting the “Country Mart” looking for the latest “shabby chic” designer clothing.
The functioning old-fashioned movie theatre with only 2 screens and the Historic Adamson House, built in 1930, located next to Malibu Pier, add a level of old-world charm beyond words. Malibu just oozes of history. The name Malibu, itself, was derived from the original inhabitants of the land, the Chumash Indians, who for thousands of years lived at the base of Malibu Canyon and were quite exceptional artisans for their time. Their specialty was in building red-planked canoes, which they sailed out to fish and find other materials from which to make bowls, pots, jewelry and other useful tools. You can view relics today in the lovely museums and historical sites dedicated to this interesting part of Malibu’s history.
The Chumash named their village Humaliwo (now “Malibu” minus the Hu-), which meant “the surf sounds loudly” and several of the landmarks of today still have Chumash origins in their names. Two commonly known names include “Zuma” and “Mugu”, which were two of the many small villages leading up and down the coast.
Zuma Beach is one of the most popular beaches today just north of Point Dume for tourists and locals alike with its white sand beaches and proximity to Pacific Coast Highway. Point Mugu State Park is one of the largest in southern California with more than 70 miles of trails for hiking, mountain-biking and horseback riding. It has 15,000 acres in all, with 5 miles of coastline and the Boney Mountains State Wilderness Area contained within it. Absolutely stunning views!
Point Dume, as mentioned above, is located in northern Malibu within Santa Monica Bay and is a large rock structure jutting out into the ocean. It was named Dume for a Franciscan priest, Francisco Dumetz, that accompanied English explorer George Vancouver in 1793 when they landed upon the rock in search of new territory.
The beaches are world-renowned in Malibu with the more popular ones included below… each deserving a page of their own...
Even though these beaches are considered “public”, unless you are with a local, you may not find the really private spots… this is part of the magic of living in Malibu, knowing secrets that no one else knows. So, whether you want to live in the mountains overlooking the deep blue, in a secluded canyon with utter peace and tranquility or literally, right on the beach with the cool breezes waking you each morning, you will find paradise in making Malibu your next home.