Things to do in Malibu: an easy guide to a day on the coast

Malibu is a short drive over the mountains from Calabasas, and it rewards a slow day. You don't need to cover the whole coast in one trip. Pick a few stops, check current conditions and leave room for lunch.

If you're looking for things to do in Malibu, start with Malibu Pier for a walk and a meal, Adamson House for local history, Point Dume for a bluff-top walk and Malibu Creek State Park for a canyon hike. Several of these places have had repairs or closures this year, so a quick check before you leave is worth it.

Walk Malibu Pier and watch the surfers

Malibu Pier, at 23000 Pacific Coast Highway, has been a landmark since 1938. Its website lists it as open daily, sunrise to sunset. It sits beside Surfrider Beach, known for a long surf break, so even a short walk gives you something to watch.

Plan around one change. The end of the pier has been closed since January 2025 for structural repairs. California State Parks said in early October that construction was expected to start in mid-October and finish by the end of January 2027, with no reopening date set. The Malibu Farm restaurant outside the closed area remains open, while the café and shop at the end stay closed. Visitors can still fish from the designated areas that are open.

Step back in time at Adamson House

Next to the pier, Adamson House at 23200 Pacific Coast Highway is a good stop when you want history with your ocean view. The grounds are open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, and the visitor center carries books about Malibu and tiles from the Malibu Potteries.

You can only go inside the house on a docent-led tour. Tours run Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and cost $7 for adults and $2 for ages 6 to 17. They don't run in the rain and can be canceled when volunteer docents aren't available. There is no parking at the house, so use the paid lots nearby. The free Malibu Lagoon Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Take the bluff trail at Point Dume

Point Dume has more than a mile of ocean frontage, a hiking trail up to a coastal bluff and, on a clear day, views across Santa Monica Bay toward Catalina. Los Angeles County also notes it's a good place to watch gray whales during the December-to-March migration.

This is the stop to check first. Erosion damaged Westward Beach Road this fall. On October 20, the City of Malibu said the road was open and Point Dume Beach was open, but the access road into the parking lot stayed closed to cars. It was open to walkers and cyclists, with construction vehicles working nearby. The county's page, last updated August 6, also listed three restroom buildings as closed. Look at both pages before you go and ask the lifeguards about conditions on the sand.

Hike Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek State Park is about four miles south of Highway 101 on Las Virgenes Road, so it's an easy add-on if you're coming from Calabasas. State Parks lists hiking, bird-watching, fishing, picnic areas and horseback riding. TV and movie fans know it for M*A*S*H and Planet of the Apes. A park notice posted April 21, 2026, says the bridge to the M*A*S*H site has been reinstalled.

Day use is $12 per vehicle, and dogs aren't allowed on the trails. On red flag warning days, park agencies in the Santa Monica Mountains now follow a shared closure protocol that was announced October 14, so check the park's alerts that morning.

Make a day of it

If you'd rather stay closer to home, see our guides to things to do in Calabasas and things to do in Westlake Village. Back in Calabasas after a beach day, our directory lists Malibu Canyon Bar & Grill if you want a meal on the way home.

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