Malibu

Malibu is a city along the coast in Los Angeles County, stretching about 21 miles (34 km) along the Pacific between the Santa Monica Mountains and the ocean. Most residential areas sit on narrow lots between the highway and the water, while much of the mountain slopes remain as parkland.

The Chumash called the settlement Humaliwo, referring to the steady sound of surf that has rolled onto the shore here for thousands of years. During the 19th century large cattle ranches occupied the area before it gradually became a residential community, developing further after the Pacific Coast Highway was built.

The surf culture shapes everyday life here, and early mornings often bring locals carrying boards under their arms toward the water. The annual Malibu Arts Festival in July gathers artists, craftspeople and food makers, showing how the community connects creativity with the natural setting.

The Pacific Coast Highway runs through the entire length and connects multiple beaches and parks along the coast, though parking lots can fill quickly during the day. The calmest conditions are usually during weekdays outside summer months, when fewer visitors arrive and roads remain less congested.

A pottery factory established in 1926 produced decorative tiles that remain visible in many local buildings today and are sought after by collectors. Several whale species pass close to the coast twice a year, and in winter gray whales can be watched from shore without needing a boat or special equipment.