5. Malibu, California
California might seem like an obvious choice for great beaches, as well it should. With more than 1,000 miles of beaches (WOW!!!!) the biggest problem is finding the best ones.
Well, look no further than a summer in Malibu for that quintessential California beach experience: bright sun, soft sand, beautiful people, and lots of surfers!
Some of my favorite spots include:
- Pointe Dume: For endless beach walks along pristine waters.
- Dan Blocker Beach: A rugged mile-long beach with a hike down to the surf (no parking/no restrooms), but worth finding it for the privacy.
- Zuma Beach: Wide sands for sunbathing and an excellent surf spot.
- Surfrider Beach: near the Malibu pier, Surfrider is known to locals as “third point.” It offers ample street parking and plenty of nearby restaurants and coffee shops.
Travel Tip: Take a beach break and visit the Adamson House, a beautiful Spanish-style beach house that was built in 1930 for a wealthy California couple. Located next to Malibu Pier, the house was purchased by the State of California in 1968 and is open to the public with scheduled tours available.
Did You Know? The Starbucks on West Malibu Road, right off the PCH, offers a lot of outdoor seating, perfect for people watching and soaking up that great California weather, especially in the summer. And, since this is Malibu, you may even have a celeb sighting!
