How To Enjoy Malibu, California: Money Optional

 

Join me on a photo walk along California’s famous Pacific Coast Highway. We’ll stop for happy hour and watch the surfers ride the waves. Then, we’ll continue down the highway to the Malibu Pier and the Malibu Lagoon. Along the way, we’ll discover the history of Malibu. Though Malibu has always been exclusive, it does have a very interesting history. 

 

 

 

First stop, happy hour!

 

21150 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 317-0777

 

 

 Duke’s is a kitschy restaurant on the Pacific Coast with views, a tiki bar, and a Hawaiian surf theme. Duke’s is named for former Olympic gold medal surfer Duke Paoa Kahanamoku from Hawaii. Originally called the Sea Lion, the location here is tops. You can sit by an open window in the Barefoot Bar and feel the spray from the ocean crashing on the rocks below. The atmosphere in the bar is casual – the dining room is more upscale, but it’s the beach – you don’t have to dress up. Order a Mai Tai and some fish tacos – they are excellent! Ok, to be honest, money is not optional if you’re going to stop at Duke’s. But happy hour is a great deal.

 

 

From Duke’s, drive a couple of miles west and look for a sign on the left that says Adamson House. Or, look for the Malibu Pier. There’s a parking lot to the left of the entrance to the Adamson House. There’s also parking on the street. 

 

23200 Pacific Coast Highway

Malibu, California 90265

310-456-8432

 

 

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.

 

 

May Rindge worked hard to keep this stretch of the California coast private and pristine. She spent her entire fortune fighting legal battles to stop development and encroachment on the land. But, as modern history shows, she lost the battle. Still, the story of the Rindge’s is fascinating. Read more about them and their contribution to Malibu. 

 

 

Entrance to the grounds is free. You can do a self-guided tour and enjoy the unparalleled views, the rose gardens, and the architecture. I did not get to go inside, as it was closed. The grounds are open daily from 11:00 am to sunset. Follow the markers along the path for self-guided tours.  Docent-led tours are Thursday through Sunday only, 12 – 3 pm, for only $7.00. It’s on my list of things to do next time I’m in the area. Visit the website and take a virtual tour.

Next walk down to the Malibu Pier, which you can see from the house.

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.