The 10 best architecture in Malibu

Beautiful iconic malibu pier. It was very beautiful quiet, peaceful. We enjoyed amazing sunset. I wouldn't recommend anyone on wheelchair, walker or anyone on high heel because pier floor is not even. We witnessed one lady fell and broke her frant tooth. So very carefully.

Iconic spot in Malibu. We walked the pier and then along the shoreline. We watched all the surfers try to catch some waves. I is a beautiful way to spend an evening. We did see some of the carnage from the wildfires driving to the pier but its been cleaned up well for the most part.

Good to walk on out to see the beach activity, the wooden walk is kind of bumpy. When I walked there the 2 restaurants at the end of the pier were closed. There were a lot of fishing along the pier but no activity. I did not know they caught any. But it is nice sunny and breezy and nice views.

It's only been a little over six months since the wildfires in January 2025, but the sight of burned houses in Malibu was heartbreaking, in stark contrast to the beautiful ocean. I hope that one day, homes will be built where everyone can live in peace, just like the beautiful ocean. Many surfers and families were enjoying the summer at the beautiful Malibu Beach. With uniformly high waves, it must be a recommended spot for surfers. There was also a delicious restaurant at the pier, so we enjoyed the beautiful ocean and a meal

I went there on Sunday 7/27/25 afternoon. Pier was not full and restaurants were open but not the one at the very end. There was a sign saying there will be a live music session next weekend. There was a significant line of people waiting to be seated on the patio at the Malibu Farm Restaurant. I haven’t tried the food there but seeing people waiting makes me want to eat there for sure. You can fish from the pier and the views are amazing. No cover to walk on the pier.

A lot of vendors. Classic car show. There was a loud mouth preaching the Bible on a loud speaker. Probably could have done without that. Beautiful day. Everyone was playing nice.

Always beautiful. Malibu Farm Cafe has great coffee plus if you buy something you can use the bathroom and not have to use the disgusting public bathroom in the lot. It is also $15 to park in the lot though.

Freed admission to a piece of history. Do not drive past this gem. They have tours, but we missed them. Luckily, there is an excellent self-guided tour with plenty of signs.

The Adamson House in Malibu is an absolute gem—beautifully preserved and rich with history. Our docent, Laurie, was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing stories of the Chumash people, the Spanish and Mexican eras, and the families who shaped the land and built the home. The Malibu Pottery tile throughout the house is breathtaking—its vibrant colors and intricate designs add so much character to every room. Laurie brought each space to life with fascinating details and passion for the home’s legacy. Nestled where the Pacific Ocean meets the Malibu Lagoon, the setting is nothing short of magical. The views alone are worth the visit. The grounds are immaculately maintained and bursting with charm. It truly felt like stepping back in time to a more elegant, slower-paced world. A must-visit for history lovers, architecture buffs, and native Angelinos, like me! Photos are not allowed inside - that's where you will find the fascinating details!

Beautiful manicured grounds overlooking picturesque white sandy beaches, turquoise seas and lagoon. Didn't go into the house but can do if you want to.

The house and grounds are beautiful, and you can walk around the outside and garden for free. Or, you can get a house tour for $7. The tour was really great! Our guide (Diane?) made the house come alive with some interesting history about the family and some cool details on the architecture and furniture. The tour lasted about 90 minutes and we loved it. They run tours whenever guides are free, not on a schedule, but we didn't wait long.

The staff here understands how to treat people and clearly have a passion for the history of the home and surrounding area. I went for a private event and can't wait to do the full tour next time I'm in town.

If you are looking for an art museum with a big collection, a nice cafe and a well-stocked gift shop this isn’t it, and you’ll be happier at the Getty Villa just down the road on PCH. The Adamson House is a cozy local museum filled with beautiful architecture, gorgeous Malibu tiles inside and out, lovely fountains, hand-painted murals and a lot of local history. And since it is right on the beach, the views are stunning! The gardens are beautifully maintained and there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the oceanfront views. You can even step down to the beach. There are docent tours daily but times vary and I’ve never actually seen a docent at the desk so it’s on my list to do that one day. But the house and grounds are beautiful and the signage all around tells the story of the house and its history. Adamson House is a short walk from Malibu Pier on PCH so I would have a nice lunch nearby first and enjoy a leisurely walk around these grounds afterwards. The Adamson House is not open every day and since the devastating Palisades/Malibu fires in January 2025, the hours often vary depending on what work is being done on PCH, so check their website before you plan your visit but don’t miss it!

Welcoming, pleasant, colorful grounds along the beach. Docents are gracious and knowledgeable about history of the area and the family who lived there.

This is my first time visiting this beautiful museum. I'm happy they protected the museum from the recent wild fire. The artifacts were in exceptional condition. I think next time I attend a group or semi private tour. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. This is a place to relax outside and walk into the museum at your own leisure. It is so serene with the view of the Pacific Ocean in the background.

This place is unreal. The setting along PCH just east of Malibu close to the ocean is amazing. Went late September on a Thursday. Got there at 10 AM as they were opening and stayed a little over 1.5 hours. Parking was easy and $25. Admission is free so the overpriced parking didnt feel that bad. The museum is excellent and has lots of good Greek and Roman paintings, sculptures, and other artifacts. Had an Egyptian exhibit while I was there that was nice as well. But where this place shines IMO is in the building and the gardens. Impressive replica of an ancient Roman palace. So many details done right from the courtyards to the gardens to the galleries to the fountains. All amongst the back drop of the Pacific Ocean. Absolutely incredible. I didn't want to leave! Went to the Getty as well and thought this was even better, which speaks highly of this place. Was less crowded when I went compared to the Getty Center (went to both on same day).

I first visited the Getty Villa back when it was called the J. Paul Getty Museum, during my freshman year of college. What struck me most was how it felt—like stepping into a wealthy person’s private home rather than a typical museum. The antiquities were displayed in this gorgeous villa setting with gardens and marble halls, all located on the Malibu cliffs. It had this eccentric quality that reflected J. Paul Getty’s personal vision and made ancient artifacts feel completely at home. Coming back decades later, I’m impressed by how they’ve improved the place while keeping that special atmosphere intact. The renovation back in the early 2000’s brought all the modern museum conveniences—better signage, clearer organization, smarter educational materials—without losing the villa’s charm. They’ve also made it more resilient against Malibu’s wildfire threats after the Palisades fire in early 2025. The best part is that it still has that quality where you feel like you’re actually in a different time, just with better amenities and a more thoughtful presentation. If you haven't been there since 2005, I would recommend you going back to see the differences and enjoy the fresh Malibu air. Bring others in your family to enjoy too.

The Getty Villa: An Ancient Roman Escape in Malibu The Getty Villa is arguably one of the most uniquely themed museums in the world. It is the perfect destination for anyone interested in Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities, but the main draw for many visitors is the stunning environment itself. Modeled after the ancient Roman Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, the property transports you straight to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean. The Architectural Experience (5/5 Stars) The architecture is the undisputed star of the show. The sprawling villa features magnificent courtyards, stunning mosaics, frescoes, and reflective pools that perfectly capture the essence of a first-century Roman estate. Walking through the Outer Peristyle with its 300-foot-long pool, surrounded by meticulously maintained gardens and bronze statues, is an experience in pure escapism. It’s hard to remember you are just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Los Angeles. While some critics view the detailed recreation as leaning toward "theme park," the sheer beauty and atmospheric quality of the design are compelling. The architecture is a powerful educational tool that provides context for the art housed within. The Collection and Exhibits (4/5 Stars) The collection is specialized, focusing exclusively on ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art dating from 6,500 BC to AD 400. While the collection may not be as expansive as the world’s largest art institutions, its intimate focus allows for a deeper appreciation of the works. Highlights include beautiful black and red-figure vases, intricate jewelry, everyday household wares, and, most famously, a highly debated statue known as the Getty Kouros. The way the galleries are designed—often using natural light—allows the antiquities to be viewed beautifully, providing an immediate connection to the past. Gardens and Amenities The four distinct gardens—each styled after a different ancient Roman prototype—are delightful, offering tranquility and gorgeous photo opportunities. The Herb Garden is particularly fragrant and well-labeled. The museum is very visitor-friendly. General admission is always free (though a timed reservation is required), and the café offers reasonably priced and fresh food with a spectacular view of the amphitheater. The staff is knowledgeable and available for guided tours, which are highly recommended for understanding the context of the architecture and the art. Final Verdict The Getty Villa is more than a museum; it’s a beautifully realized piece of immersive architecture. It is an essential visit for anyone in the Los Angeles area, particularly those who appreciate ancient history, stunning views, and architectural grandeur. Plan to spend as much time outdoors enjoying the gardens and courtyards as you do inside the galleries. Tip: Book your free tickets well in advance, especially during peak season, and don't forget that parking requires a fee.

Visiting the Getty Villa is like stepping into another era—the museum perfectly captures the elegance and grandeur of ancient Rome and Greece. Every gallery is a treasure trove of meticulously preserved artifacts, from intricate sculptures to everyday objects that bring the ancient world to life. The attention to detail in both the collections and the villa itself makes the experience immersive and unforgettable. Walking through the gardens, surrounded by classical architecture and stunning ocean views, adds another layer of awe. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an art lover, or simply curious, the Getty Villa offers a journey through antiquity that feels both intimate and monumental. Truly one of the finest museums for experiencing the beauty and sophistication of ancient civilizations.

The Getty Villa in Santa Monica is one of the better day-adventures we have done in the greater Los Angeles area. The cafe has good Mediterranean food at a decent price (yes, they have beer and wine, too), and the photo opportunities here were endless! If you dig ancient history, architecture, and relaxing environments, this is should be on your bucket list.

What a beautiful museum? This replica Villa is full of ancient history and beauty almost unimaginable. Thank you J.Paul Getty for sharing your treasures with those of us who could never dream to see them. I saw items from over 2-4 thousand years old!

Free parking can be hard to find. The only option for free parking is on the street, and you’ll likely need to arrive outside of peak hours to secure a spot. The beach itself is clean, less crowded, and generally peaceful—especially compared to Santa Monica. Public restrooms are available, but there are no public washing areas. Be prepared to share the beach with plenty of seagulls, which are a common sight here.

Beautiful 1.8mi sandy beach with tons of street parking and a huge lot. There are showers in some spots. Great views of the coast and mountains.

We spent Father’s Day at Zuma Beach with friends, and it couldn’t have been better. Clean sand, beautiful views, and plenty of space to spread out even on a busy day. The water was perfect for wading and boogie boarding, and the lifeguards were super attentive. Parking was easy and close to the sand, which made hauling gear and coolers a breeze. Just an all-around perfect SoCal beach day. Highly recommend Zuma for families, friend groups, or anyone looking to enjoy the coast.

It's been a while since I visited Zuma Beach, and the atmosphere is a bit calmer than other places.

After many years in California, Zuma Beach still tops my son and I list of favorite surf spots — best enjoyed off-peak, of course: Monday to Friday, outside holidays, and early mornings before the crowds wake up. This is Malibu at its purest — long golden stretches of sand, clean waves, and that endless Pacific view that makes weekday emails feel like a bad dream. Surf’s great midweek when it’s mostly locals and dolphins sharing the lineup. Yes, it’s definitely not rare to surf among dolphins, great and unforgettable experience that you never get bored of. Weekends? A bit of a scene — come early or embrace the parking safari. Personally I avoid it as much as I can, if I can. Pro tip: pack snacks, wax up, and stick around long enough to watch the sun turn the whole beach into liquid gold

My favourite beach in LA. Clean and quiet. In non-seasonal time parking just $3 instead $18 of summer time. Fresh air and great sunset is great spot to relax.

This was one of my favorite beaches in LA. It's quieter and you can always find a parking space. It is a bit of drive on the weekend but worth it. On the weekends you have to pay for parking. But on the week nights it is free. There are restrooms there, not always clean but are there. So grab your favorite beach attire and have quiet cozy day at the beach.

We arrived at Point Dume parking lot at 7:30 pm, plenty of parking spaces available, paid $3 at the prepaid ticket paying station. There were a lot of photo shootings right at the cliffs, the sunset was beautiful and unforgettable, we even saw some whales passing by. It took us about 10 minutes easy hike to get on top of the cliff. WOW! The panorama of the pacific ocean and the sunset was the best I have ever seen, come experience it yourself!

What a great experience.I went there thinking small it ended up being big. I got some great pictures of the surfers.Be prepared to walk down and up a lot of stairs. After that I took the little hike.And got to see a bunch of seals. That was a surprise. Then Just on the other side was a public beach. It was really nice.I was able to sit on the cliff and just people watch for a little.

A go to place for a unique and pleasant walk in one of Southern California's treasures. The parking sucks, very limited, and there are time restrictions, but you can get lucky much of the time. The loop trail is very scenic but not too strenuous, and you can take in the whole sight seeing experience within the time constraints of the parking limits. I highly recommend...

This is a very short but beautiful hike. The hardest part is actually getting a parking spot. The hike takes no longer than a half hour out and back. The views at the top of Point Dume and along the trail are outstanding!

Parking near Point Dume is limited—only about 12–14 cars can fit. Since I was set on finding free parking, I ended up a 10-minute walk away. Security is strict, with police regularly checking for parking violations. Some of my friends have even received tickets here, so it’s best to be cautious. The view is stunning—you can see all of Zuma Beach and much of the hills surrounding Big Dume Beach. It can get quite windy at the top of the hill, but it’s the perfect spot to sit, relax, and soak in the scenery for hours (I could sit the whole day).

One of my favorite parts of Malibu. I sat at the top of one of the cliffs for an hour or so and saw a sea lion calling and sunbathing on a rock, two dolphins, and what looked to be orcas jumping off in the distance. Beautiful views, I highly suggest coming. Not really safe for young children though, because parts are just straight down without fencing or anything. For parking, you probably won't find space at the top, but just go to westward beach, its just $8 at modern parking when I went, then head south to the end of the beach and you can hike point dume from the bottom, which I highly suggest.

Great beach with fantastic views. Likely to be less crowded during the day, especially on weekdays. Make sure to catch the sunset from here. This is a wonderful and romantic spot.

Do you see all the tennis courts? They don't look very used. This is Malibu and we're using square footage for tennis courts that were laid down in the 70s? Really? Where is Elon musk when you need him.

When entering Malibu Colony you’ll be stopped by a gate where as the neighborhood is only accessible to people who: 1. Live there. 2. Are employed to do work in someone’s house who lives there. 3. You’re a guest visiting a friend who must contact the guards at the entrance and give your name in which case they’ll permit entry. 4. Delivery drivers You won’t be permitted entry unless any of those scenarios apply to you. Malibu is a suburban haven, or so anyone who doesn’t live there regularly would think. I’ve been doing construction on the houses in this neighborhood and if I had the money to purchase any of these homes I most certainly would not. While it’s nice having beach front property, Monday thru Saturday there are construction workers all throughout the colony doing work and making loud noises with power tools that can be heard a minimum of 10 houses or more. I’d even say the number of construction workers out number the residents. Not to mention parking can be a hassle weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Exclusive Residential area, excellent neighborhood, very secure and the Security and Maintenance Staff always looking forward to help anyone.

In love with Malibu 🤩❤️

Every bit as nice as I thought it would be. But then again, for 13 million dollars, it better be

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The Malibu West Beach Club is a gorgeous venue and everything looked beautiful. We chose this venue because the view of the ocean and the ability to choose our own catering couldn't be beat. Please be warned though: if you're looking for a venue that is communicative and organized, this is not the place for you. The representative from the venue that we were in contact with during planning, Christine Hays, often sent us information that was directly contradictory to information that she had sent prior. She claimed to not receive checks that my bank told me had been cashed. She also told us that certain things were "required" less than a month before the wedding, with one of these mandates being told to us 5 days prior to the wedding. Our caterer also had a difficult time trying to communicate with the venue staff. The caterer feeds dozens of events a week, and Christine wanted them to take a day off to visit the venue to discuss paperwork. Ultimately, she was able to email the paperwork over to them and it worked out fine, but it was an added hassle that wasn't necessary. Additionally, there were strangers running around on the beach during the wedding, including a fully naked child. Our wedding didn't start until 5pm, so most of them left before the ceremony started, but just know that when they tell you it's a "Private Beach", they mean that the beach is fully open to anyone who lives nearby. The wedding turned out great and everything worked out in the end, but please understand what you're getting yourself into if you decide to book the Malibu West Beach Club.

The manager, "Christine," is very unprofessional and lacks manners. For such an expensive establishment, it leaves much to be desired. I hope they treat their next visitors more professionally. I won't be back, and I don't recommend it.

I was the DJ for a wedding ceremony and reception at this venue recently. It’s a nice venue with an amazing view of the ocean. I don’t know if they offer catering services, but my clients had brought in their own caterers and servers. It has a nice layout. It can be touched up a little bit on the inside, but the ocean view more than makes up for it. Parking was not an issue for me at all. The drive is a bit far and winding roads.

This place is beautiful. I attended a friends wedding and the view (especially sunset) was to die for. It is perfect for 150-200 guest, if not more.

My Niece had her outside wedding here Nov 2021 in Malibu on an upstairs patio at the beach. Good for small weddings but the background facing the sun beaming into our eyes a bit uncomfortable, make sure to have your sunglass also a great ocean view during the afternoon.

Great staff- I JUST ATTENDED THOUGH Everything was clean, on point, and easy to understand Gorgeous lot! Beautiful bride and groom <3

Venue hosted our 10 year vow renewal. I found the hosting staff very professional and organized. Of course the view by the ocean was amazing. Be warned, other people will use the beach right under the venue balcony, signs be damned, but they and their pets weren't much of a distraction. Parking is a little tight getting in and out, but not a dealbreaker.

Tried to go here but it looks like it's closed now.

I came here for a beach clean up and solstice celebration. We all had lots of fun trying our skill at using a atlatl to throw spears at targets. We all had a wonderful dinner together. The Elder explained the meaning of the structure and how it was used. Quite impressive collection of native plants surrounded it all. You can either park on the street or in the parking lot for the beach just north of the center. The street had lots of spaces so that was our choice.It is always windy so dress accordingly.

What a gem! Beautifully tucked away; hidden in plain sight, is this beautiful tribute to the areas Indigenous people! The caretakers were incredibly knowledgeable and passion about this development!

Beautiful people ❤️

Had a fabulous time visiting. Very much appreciate the blessing ceremony.

A must see if you want to truly learn about the TRUE American culture. Yes I mean the Native Americans not the colonizers. Please be respectful of this place.

Great place. This is sacred grounds. The government needs to let so things remain the same for our culture. God Bless Chumash!

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