Malibu´s Many Diversified Areas
Malibu stretches across 27 miles of pristine beach front. Located north of the Los Angeles/Westside metropolis, it is considered one of the finest rural areas in all of Southern California. The Malibu area offers many different and distinct locations; each is unique and offers varied amenities to the Malibu residents. These locations include:
Northwest Malibu:
Starting at the Los Angeles/ Ventura County Line, this section of Malibu includes beach front homes and condominiums as well as canyon homes and ranches. A well know destination to snack on fresh seafood and burgers is there called the Neptune’s Net. The Yerba Buena, Decker, and Encinal Canyons hold many large estates and offer privacy and the opportunity to own large parcels of land.
The beach and bluff areas of Northwest Malibu hold magnificent oceanfront and bluff top properties that are considered some of the most private in all of Malibu. Many celebrities and business leaders have chosen the beach and bluff estate areas as their secondary homes locations.
The beautiful beaches, which include state owned beaches such as Nicholas Beach which is near Leo Carrillo, El Pescador, La Piedra, El Matador and picturesque rock studded seascapes are reminiscent of some beaches at Big Sur and Carmel. These properties on the bluffs and coves around these areas command top dollar and are always in short supply and great demand.
Broad Beach Rd and Sea Level Drive:
Considered by many to be Malibu´s apex beach area, this locale offers the ultimate in beach front living. The white sand dunes of Broad Beach (sometimes called Trancas Beach) offer the privacy and serene settings that buyers demand. Long ago the native Chumash Indians called this magnificent beach their home. Now it is home to countless celebrities and industry elite as well. A large group of Pacific Silver-side Dolphins takes residence off of this beach and can be viewed on a daily basis as they jump and frolic just outside the waves. Only 100 homes line the Broad Beach area closest to the sandy beach; while there are others on the bluff, some 3 stories tall to reach the sand below the street level. There are several gated neighborhoods. Victoria Point and Sea Level with home on or of the beach.
Malibu West and Trancas Canyon:
Malibu West is a planned community built in the mid to late sixties. This is a family oriented neighborhood, home to many children and families that enjoy the use of community tennis court and a fantastic beach club located at the southeast end of world famous Broad Beach Road. In this area are some stylish new town homes have also been developed. Trancas Canyon includes ranch style and more modern homes that are a short walk to the beach and command excellent ocean views. The exclusive gated community of Anacapa View is also located adjacent to Trancas Canyon and consists of an eclectic mix of estates, ranches, and Mediterranean homes and estates.
Malibu Park:
Located above world famous Zuma Beach, Malibu Park features rolling hills, beautiful fields and meadows, and fantastic ocean views. The homes and ranches located in Malibu Park feature large lots (most are one acre or more) and access to beautiful hiking and riding trails. Juan Cabrillo Elementary and the Malibu Junior and Senior High Schools are here, offering excellent educational facilities and top-notch curriculum for Malibu students. This is a family oriented neighborhood with a true rural atmosphere with quite a few horse stables. Malibu Park is a highly sought after area in which to live and is appropriately named.
Point Dume:
The Point Dume area is located just south of Malibu Park and overlooks the blue Pacific. The exclusive bluff areas of Cliffside Drive and Birdview Drive offer unobstructed ocean views and feature magnificent estates and homes. Point Dume was discovered by Spanish explorers hundreds of years ago and now is host to the Point Dume State Preserve. The headlands, rocky coves, and vast beaches are noted for swimming, surfing, hiking, scuba diving, fishing, and sightseeing. Westward beach, below the towering rocky point itself, is one of Malibu´s finest beaches. Shopping and business are all close by at the Point Dume Center. The Point Dume Marine Elementary School offers young students living in the area a unique educational experience that focuses on Marine Biology and Oceanic Science. Also located on Point Dume is the Point Dume Club; a mobile home park with great ocean views.
Paradise Cove:
Another Malibu landmark area, Paradise Cove is appropriately named. The sequestered beaches and local pier make it a favorite place for Malibu visitors all year long. The beach locations offer solace from prevailing westerly winds that blow down Malibu´s coastline. A quaint mobile home park is adjacent to the pier and restaurant. Other bluff top and beach front homes nearby demand millions of dollars and many celebrities and business leaders make this area their home. The California grey whales, on their annual migration, pass quite close to the rocky point and can be viewed by onlookers on a regular basis. California sea lions are common visitors to this area as well.
Winding Way:
Above Paradise Cove lies the exclusive Winding Way community. Here relatively new estates sprawl over large lots in a truly rural and equestrian setting. This area features magnificent palatial estates and modern, contemporary or Mediterranean homes with awe inspiring ocean views. Some properties command a view of Malibu´s only major waterfall, located in a State Park just below the community. Hiking, sightseeing, and horseback riding are but a few of the outdoor activities available to homeowners and visitors alike. Wildlife abounds throughout the rolling hills and meadows of Winding Way.
Latigo Shore and Malibu Cove Colony:
South of Paradise Cove and north of downtown Malibu, these two beach front communities offer beach front living. Latigo Shore has quaint old beach houses (reminiscent of “Old Malibu”) as well as beautiful new beach homes. Malibu Cove Colony is a gated private oceanfront community with an eclectic mix of beach homes in all sizes, shapes, and styles.
Escondido Beach Rd. adjoins to the west with older and new beach houses. Both areas are located a short walk from the famous restaurant Geoffrey´s, located on a bluff overlooking these pristine beaches. Here, diners can enjoy views from Palos Verdes all the way to Point Dume. All the amenities of downtown Malibu are just minutes away by car.
Corral Canyon and Latigo Canyon:
Just south of Malibu Cove Colony are these two sister canyons that bend their way into the Santa Monica Mountains. Here, Malibu homes dot the hillsides and command excellent ocean views. The areas of El Nido and the Malibu Bowl feature many homes and offer an excellent family oriented neighborhood for those who choose to live in these mid sized homes. Latigo Canyon also features a new development of estate sized ocean view homes overlooking the Pacific and the Santa Monica Mountains. Wildlife abounds among these homes, with fox, red tailed hawks, falcons, great horned owls, and abundant mule deer present all year round. Alongside Pacific Coast Highway and closest to Corral Canyon Rd. is Malibu Seafood, another old Malibu eatery that many locals and travelers frequent to buy or order fresh seafood
Malibu Country Estates:
Adjacent to the sprawling educational and recreational facilities of Pepperdine University, “Malibu Country” is a planned community of beautiful ocean view estates. These homes are walking distance to the Pepperdine Malibu Campus and also are conveniently near Malibu´s downtown amenities. A myriad of fine restaurants can be found close by for those lucky enough to reside here. The facilities and membership in the Pepperdine “Crest Club” allow residents to use the superlative athletic facilities, Olympic pool, and professional running track just a short walk from these homes.
Malibu Road and The Colony:
These two exclusive beach front locations feature some of the beach front beachfront estates in all of Malibu. The “Colony” was once known as the “Movie Colony” due to the fact that in the 1940´s the Hollywood studios constructed small beach bungalows for movie stars to escape from the hectic schedules in town and relax at the beach. Over the many decades since, these small cottages have been replaced with luxurious beach estates.
Serra Retreat:
Overlooking the world famous Malibu Pier, homes in the Serra Retreat area are nestled in the lush Malibu Canyon arroyo. Malibu Creek bends it´s way along this exclusive neighborhood. Overlooking these estates is the Serra Retreat Mission: a place of solitude and intrinsic beauty. The mission is a well-known Malibu landmark and offers visitors a place for meditation and religious studies.
Carbon and La Costa Beaches:
These beaches are convenient to commuters who desire to be in Malibu but must travel regularly into the city. Beautiful beach homes, condominium units, and the famous Malibu Beach Inn are hallmarks of beach front exclusive beachfront locales. Many celebrities call this area their home or “home away from home”. This area was recently also named Billionaires Beach by the local media.
Carbon Canyon and La Costa :
This hillside community is covered with beautiful ocean view homes and estates. Conveniently located “close to town” which generally means the Westside of Los Angeles. The La Costa neighborhood features many fine homes and estates on ocean view lots.
Las Flores Beach, Big Rock and Las Tunas Beach:
Here in the southernmost section of Malibu one will beach front beachfront homes on Pacific Coast Highway and hillside homes in the Big Rock development. The city is just a short distance from this location.
Rambla Pacifico, Saddle Peak, Piuma Road and Las Flores Canyon:
This part of Malibu is know for it’s outstanding vistas of rock formations and birds eye ocean views of the Santa Monica Bay as well as vistas of the San Fernando Valley with it’s glistening evening lights. Though some of the roads can be full of twist and turns they can be fun to drive and are favored by cyclists, motorcyclists sports car drivers. There are various sometimes hidden accesses for hikers and mountain bikers along the roads that run at the crest of this section of the Santa Monica Mountain range.