Monday, August 29, 2011

MALIBU

(includes Calabasas)
BAKERIES, COFFEE, ICE CREAM, JUICE & TEA
Grom – 3886 Cross Creek Road (at Malibu Village); 310-456-9797; grom.it/eng/index.php; gelateria.



BEACHES
El Matador State Beach – 32100 Pacific Coast Highway; 818-880-0363; parks.ca.gov/?page_id=633; among Malibu’s most beautiful beaches; large rocks and sea caves; steep dirt trail goes down to some stairs; views from upper cliffs are incredible, looking down on large boulders and deep blue water filled with kelp forests; beach is long with plenty of sand for sunbathers; on busy weekends, lifeguard.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach – Cross Creek Road (Malibu); 310-457-8143; parks.ca.gov/?page_id=835; from Santa Monica, follow PCH 13 miles west; from 101 Freeway, exit at Las Virgenes Road, proceed 10-miles west through Malibu Canyon, turn left at PCH, travel 1.5-miles east; where Malibu Creek meets Pacific Ocean; Surfrider Beach is premier surfing beach; on Malibu Creek Bridge’s east side, Malibu Pier allows for excellent saltwater fishing; on west side, nature area (excellent for bird watching); Adamson House is National Historic Site (Spanish-Moor revival residence features tile from Malibu Potteries and sits on overlook); adjacent Malibu Lagoon Museum; guided wetland tours; grunion, monarch butterfly, tidepools, and gray whale tours scheduled seasonally.
Point Dume State Beach – Westward Beach Road; 805-488-1827; parks.ca.gov/?page_id=623; cliffs, headlands, rocky coves, and vast beach access; fishing, scuba, surfing, and swimming; watch for California gray whales December to mid-April; at Westward Beach Road’s end, access to Point Dume Natural Preserve begins; gradual ascending trail leads to ancient coastal bluff sand dune; incredible view encompassing entire Santa Monica Bay, north Malibu Coast, inland Santa Monica Mountains, and distant Catalina Island; boardwalk, just below summit, leads to viewing platform; stairway from bluff-top preserve’s east side allows access to more isolated beach and fine tidepooling opportunities.



HOTELS
Ranch at Live Oak Malibu – 12220 Cotharin Road; 310-457-8700 or 888-777-2177; theranchmalibu.com; expensive; set on working ranch; acres of native grounds, hiking trails, and picturesque views; 3 miles above Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica Mountains; guest accommodations, great room, organic farm and kitchen, exercise pavilion, outdoor pool and spa, and private treatment rooms.


RESTAURANTS
Café Habana – 939 Cross Creek Road; 310-317-0300; cafehabana.com; Randy Gerber establishment Latin-style.
Geoffrey’s – 27400 Pacific Coast Highway; 310-457-1519; geoffreysmalibu.com; beautiful, seaside location and view.
Grom – 3886 Cross Creek Road (at Malibu Village); 310-456-9797; grom.it/eng/index.php; gelateria.
Malibu Farm Pier Cafe – 23000 Pacific Coast Highway; 310-456-1112; malibu-farm.com/pier-cafe; menu features staples like Swedish pancakes, burrata salad, and quinoa oatmeal.
Nobu Malibu – 3835 Cross Creek Road, Suite 18A; 310-317-9140; nobumatsuhisa.com.
Plate – 22601 Pacific Coast Highway, #103; 310-317-6800; platemalibu.com; earthy California cuisine; fresh ingredients; great chocolate cake.
Saddle Peak Lodge – 419 Cold Canyon Road (Calabasas); 818-222-3888; saddlepeaklodge.com; old-school “occasion” restaurant; in historic lodge; Hemingway-esque scene; great foie gras.
Savory – 29169 Heathercliff Road (at Point Dume Village); 310-589-8997; savorymalibu.com; worth special trip; fish dishes are best.

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