Looking toward the Malibu Lagoon, where Malibu Creek meets the Pacific
What to Do In Malibu, California
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 317-0777
Aloha! Have your photo taken with Duke!
Who can resist a Mai Tai served like this?
The Adamson House
Malibu was originally part of a Spanish land grant known as Rancho Malibu. In 1892, the 13,000 plus acres were purchased by Frederick Rindge and his wife May, with the dream of turning it into a private hacienda and beachfront playground. He did indeed build a ranch house and raised cattle and grains. The house burned in a fire in 1903. In 1905, Frederick Rindge died, leaving the estate to his wife to manage.
Malibu. 22 miles of coastline and they owned all of it. Imagine that, if you can.
Spanish Revival and Malibu Tile details at Adamson House
Details of tile work
This gorgeous tiled fountain was outside!
There’s even a tiled bath tub for the animals.
Detail from the rose garden at the Adamson House
Entrance to the Malibu Beach House grounds is free.
Next walk down to the Malibu Pier, which you can see from the house.
Malibu Pier
Malibu Pier was originally built in 1905 to service the Adamson’s beach house. It’s been the site of many surf movies, TV shows, and was a World War II lookout post. Later, it became a fishing pier, and we did see lots of people fishing there.
Malibu Pier stands in stark contrast to most piers in southern California.
It’s a nice place for a conversation and a stroll without all the crowds and noise and chaos of, say, Santa Monica Pier. You can walk to the end of the pier and gaze at an unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean. That’s not easy to find.
There’s a trendy restaurant called Malibu Farm, and a gift shop that markets the Malibu lifestyle. Everything there is great quality and very well done. And expensive. But you don’t need money to browse. Do not miss the black and white photograph of Malibu from the 1940s.
The entrance to the Malibu Pier. To the right is a tower and part of the original wall that was the Adamson’s property.
The beach here is public, not private, and free for all to enjoy.
The pier is right next to Surfrider Beach, famous the world over. We had a fantastic time watching the surfers here. It must have been quite the scene during the Party film era.
So there you have it – how to enjoy one of California’s most idyllic and glamorous beach towns – money optional. Almost.
Al fresco dining on the Malibu Pier
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17 comments
Glad to know about these places. Pictures are so beautiful this place looks so calm. Thanks for sharing this post with us.
Great tips Penny! I’ve never been to Malibun but Seems like a good place to explore!!
Thanks Paul. Have you been yet?
I’ve never been to Malibu, but it’s good to know there are options for those of us that aren’t rich! lol I’d love to visit the The Adamson House when I do get a chance to visit. The tile work really is amazing!
It is. And it’s just a great beach to walk and hang out and watch the surfers.
Haha, I recognize that little Duke’s tiki Mai Tai! I enjoyed one on Kauai just a couple weeks ago. 😉 Malibu is a beautiful spot on the Cali coast. I do feel fearfully underdressed every time I pass through however. It’s a pretty exclusive community, but I like how you’ve highlighted some of the free and public things to do!
It is but it can still be enjoyed by all. Though the Rindge’s really wanted to keep it exclusively for themselves.
You had me at happy hour! LOL! Looking forward to visit CA soon. Malibu is one of the places I hope to visit soon.
SO beautiful! When I went to Malibu, I just went to Zuma beach, but there’s so much more to see! I had no idea that there was so much to do in the town itself! I went to a Duke’s in Kaua’i and their cocktails were great! I’d love to go to this one too!
What a cool post! I love visiting Malibu but you’re right, it is very exclusive. My favorite thing to do when I visit California is drive the PCH. I have never been to Duke’s but I am adding it to my “to do” list next time I am in the area! Thanks for sharing this post!
Looks like a fun way to enjoy Malibu. I would love to go to the Adamson house it looks cool!
I love Malibu! My favorite is walking the Malibu Colony beach gathering beach glass and watching the dolphins. Haven’t tried Dukes
that sounds fun! Malibu Colony was originally land the Rindge family had to allow for building. May was constantly fighting encroachment.
Fantastic advice and I havent been to Malibu yet but want to for the beach. The place looks so nice and not too touristy.
that’s the thing. You’d think it would be, but it isn’t. Except for Duke’s is but not in a terrible way.
Great tips! We were in Malibu last year and went to Malibu farm, such a cute place and the views were amazing. Need to check out Duke’s next time!
Glad to hear you went to Malibu Farm. Was the food good? We had just had drinks and happy hour snacks at Duke’s so we didn’t stop at Malibu Farm. The menu looked good though.