Getting There
Malibu was one of the highlights of our trip to LA! It was fun to get out of the city and connect with nature for the day. It takes anywhere from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to get from LA to Malibu, depending on the traffic, but there are plenty of beautiful views along Route 1 to enjoy along the way. It’s essential to have a car to follow our one day in Malibu itinerary below but if you’re not interested in driving, you could also consider booking a day tour*.
The Getty Villa
The Getty Villa is not technically in Malibu but it is en route so we think it makes the perfect first stop! It’s free to visit but will cost $25 to park and you’ll need a timed entry ticket booked in advance. Many people visit the Getty Center but forget to check out this hidden gem as well. The villa was built in the 1970’s by J. Paul Getty and was inspired by the ancient Roman Villa dei Papiri, which was destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. The villa is home to many Roman & Greek antiquities and has a stunning garden and reflecting pool outside. To learn more about visiting, check out our previous post here: The Getty Center, Los Angeles.
- Cost: $25 (parking)
- More Information: Getty Villa
- Time Needed: 1-2 hours
Hike to Escondido Falls
As you continue up Route 1 another 30 minutes from the Villa, you’ll come across paid visitor parking for Escondido Falls. This easy, round-trip hike to a waterfall is 3.5 miles and takes about 1.5 hours to complete. We had originally planned to visit some beaches in the morning but it was quite foggy so we opted for the hike instead.
Pro Tip: There is very limited shade on this hike so plan accordingly with a hat, sunscreen & water bottles. The trail is often quite dusty, especially in the dry summer months, so avoid light colored clothing or shoes!
- Cost: $12 (Parking)
- More Information: Escondido Falls
- Time Needed: 1.5-2 hours
Lunch at Cafe de la Plage
After your hike, you’ll be ready for some lunch and a refreshing drink! About 10 minutes from Escondido Falls (off Route 1) you’ll find Cafe de la Plage, a small cafe serving breakfast and lunch. While there is outdoor seating here, we recommend grabbing sandwiches to go to enjoy on the beach! (You can even order online in advance to save time).
- Cost: $15-$20 (per person)
- More Information: Cafe de la Plage
- Time Needed: 30 minutes
El Matador Beach
Another 10 minutes up Route 1, you’ll find parking for El Matador Beach! This was by far our favorite beach we visited in Malibu (we also stopped at Las Tunas, Costa & Carbon) and was the perfect spot for a picnic lunch. We couldn’t get over the beautiful rock formations! If the weather is nice, the beach is also great for swimming!
Pro Tip: There are a lot of stairs and uneven ground to get to visit Matador Beach. Since the parking lot is on top of the cliff, it’ll take you around 5-10 minutes just to get down to the beach. We recommend traveling light as this is not a place you want to carry a lot of things!
- Cost: $8 (Parking)
- Time Needed: 1 hour
Malibu Wine Hike
After some lunch and downtime at the beach, you’ll want to make your way back to your car and drive 15 minutes to Saddlerock Ranch for a guided Malibu Wine Hike*! While learning about the property and their wine production, we were able to sample two cans of their wine and a try their frosé to cool off. Our guide was super knowledgeable and even took us to the Cave of the Four Horsemen, which were painted by Chumash Native Americans. For more details on our experience, check out our blog post: Malibu Winery Tour.
- Cost: $49 (per person)
- More Information: Malibu Wine Hike*
- Time Needed: 2 hours
Dinner at Malibu Farm
The final stop for our one day in Malibu itinerary was for al fresco dining at Malibu Farm, which sits right on the pier. It’s a great spot to catch the sunset, soak in the sea breeze and enjoy some delicious farm to table meals! We highly recommend making reservations in advance as their typically is a wait for walk-ins.
- Cost: $32-$50 (per entree)
- More Information: Malibu Farm
- Time Needed: 2 hours
We had very few expectations of visiting Malibu but were blown away by their stunning beaches, delicious food and unique hiking experiences. This one day in Malibu itinerary will cover all the highlights and should be added to any Los Angeles trip!
