Major city · United States
Malibu
Base in Santa Monica and drive up for one full day: Malibu is a 34 km (21 mi) strip on one road with almost no parking and few beds.Base in Santa Monica and drive up for one full day: Malibu is a 21 mi (34 km) strip on one road with almost no parking and few beds.
Malibu is a single 34 km line of beach along the Pacific Coast Highway, not a town you walk. One full day covers the pier, the lagoon and Point Dume; a second day adds a canyon hike or the Getty Villa. Almost everyone sleeps in Santa Monica and drives up, because beds on PCH are few and priced high.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, parking), winter storm weekends
- Airports
- LAX · BUR
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Malibu911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison control (US)1-800-222-1222
- LA County information211
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Malibu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyMalibu is a low-crime beach town; the real risks are PCH traffic, rip currents and heat on exposed trails.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 1-800-222-1222 Poison control (US) · 211 LA County information
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLAX Los Angeles International (About 45–75 min by car via I-405 and I-10 to PCH; longer on weekend afternoons.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical answer: PCH is the only through road, and sights sit 5–15 min apart by car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–7
- Sit-down mealSit-down seafood main$25–45
- Street or quick mealFish taco or casual plate$12–20
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedMotel or budget room on PCH, a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedMotel or budget room on PCH, a night, per roomUS$220
- High-end bedMotel or budget room on PCH, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$160 · High US$320
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LAX Los Angeles International (About 45–75 min by car via I-405 and I-10 to PCH; longer on weekend afternoons.) · BUR Hollywood Burbank (Smaller; about 1 h by car over the Santa Monica Mountains.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Mar
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Dec
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Malibu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Feb
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Nov
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical answer: PCH is the only through road, and sights sit 5–15 min apart by car. LA Metro bus 134 links Santa Monica with Malibu. Parking is the real constraint — lots at Zuma, Point Dume, the pier and Solstice Canyon fill by mid-morning on summer weekends.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 25–40 min
Drive south on PCH, or LA Metro bus 134
Pier, promenade and the densest choice of beds and food.
Door to door: 45–60 min
Drive south past Santa Monica, or bus 134 then a local bus
Boardwalk and canals; pair it with Santa Monica in one day.
Getty Villa
goDoor to door: 20–30 min
Drive south on PCH to Pacific Palisades
Timed free tickets must be booked ahead; closed some weekdays.
Door to door: 50–75 min
Drive via I-10 and La Cienega, or bus to Santa Monica then onward
A separate evening out, not a beach add-on.
Door to door: 45–70 min
Drive via Sunset or I-10
Shopping and museums; traffic decides the day.
Door to door: 50–70 min
Drive via I-10 east
Food and studios; better as an evening than a beach day.
Door to door: 40–55 min
Drive south on PCH then I-10/Lincoln Blvd
Harbour walks and boat rentals; no surf.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
PCH central Malibu (pier and Civic Center)
Walkable to the pier, Country Mart and Surfrider Beach; the most expensive beds.
Zuma and Westward Beach
Quieter, near the beach, 15–20 min drive from the pier; needs a car for everything.
Santa Monica (off-strip base)
Cheaper, more choice, bus 134 runs up PCH; 25–40 min to the pier.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $250+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Boutique or beachfront double1 × 1 night × US$500 | US$500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$160 | US$320 |
| Rideshare LAX to central Malibu, one way1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| Beach lot parking, one day1 × US$15 · check | US$15 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$93 |
| Trip total≈ US$509 per person per day, bed included | US$1,018 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices before sales tax. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–7 |
| Fish taco or casual plate | $12–20 |
| Sit-down seafood main | $25–45 |
| Beach lot parking, per day | $10–25 (check) |
| Rideshare Santa Monica to Malibu Pier | $25–45 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parking is scarce and enforced: read signs before you leave the car, and expect to pay in beach lots.
- PCH has no sidewalk for long stretches and cyclists share the shoulder — cross at marked points only.
- Summer weekend traffic on PCH can double a 20-min drive; go early or on a weekday.
- Beach rules vary by beach; alcohol is allowed only at Paradise Cove's private beach.
- Fire season (roughly Sep–Nov) can close canyon trails and roads: check before you drive.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Poison control (US)
- 1-800-222-1222
- LA County information
- 211
Pocket card
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MalibuMalibu
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison control (US)1-800-222-1222
- LA County information211
Embassy
No embassies in Malibu; consulates-general sit in Los Angeles (check the address for yours).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- LA Metro bus 134, Santa Monica to Malibu: about $1.75 one way, 25–40 min (check)
- Rideshare LAX to central Malibu: $50–80, 45–75 min (check)
- Beach lot parking: $10–25 per day (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the beach access? — Where is the beach access?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is this spot free? — Is this spot free?
- How much is parking? — How much is parking?
Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Malibu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, parking), winter storm weekends · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LAX: last bus 134 departures, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the pier and Civic Center, Surfrider and the lagoon, Point Dume and Zuma, Solstice Canyon.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Getty Villa, Point Dume, Malibu Pier, Solstice Canyon) and eat pages with last orders.
- Parking and fire-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Malibu
- officialCalifornia State Parks — Point Dume
- officialCalifornia State Parks — Malibu Lagoon
- officialLA Metro
- secondaryWikivoyage: Malibu, revision 5331994 (CC BY-SA 4.0)