Five Routes for a Classic Malibu Drive

The sun is shining, the air is salted with the ocean breeze, and the roads are wide open. The stage is set for a meandering afternoon Malibu drive.

With its stunning shoreline vistas and surrounding mountains, canyons, and parks to wind through, our little corner of paradise is rife with dreamy destinations to explore by car. 

Here are five of our favorite Malibu drives, each located within an hour of Malibu Beach Inn and starting along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Point Dume to Point Mugu Rock

The Pacific Coast Highway is one of America’s most scenic roadways, but some segments are more stunning than others. One of those starts about nine miles west of the Inn, at Point Dume State Beach. Zooming west along the PCH between Point Dume and Point Mugu Rock, you’ll be treated to 17 miles of breathtaking views of the ocean and Malibu’s most iconic beaches.

Both Point Dume and Point Mugu Rock are well-known destinations along the Pacific Coast Highway. The limestone cliffs of Point Dume form a long bluff and mark the northern end of Santa Monica Bay, the perfect backdrop for a selfie or two. Point Mugu Rock looks like something you’d see in a sci-fi film: an almost vertical ridge of volcanic rock towering above the highway, mirroring the steep hills bordering the other side of the road.

There are several places to pull over and take in the beauty, and top among them is El Matador Beach. Just six miles into the drive, the renowned destination is known for its otherworldly seaside arches and coves. See it in its full glory at sunset, when the sky glows purple, fuchsia, pink, and orange.

Topanga Canyon Boulevard to Mulholland Highway

(After months of closure due to the January fires, Topanga Canyon Boulevard is slowly coming back to life. As of late May 2025, the road is open during daytime hours only, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Head six miles south on the Pacific Coast Highway, then wind your way up into the hills along Topanga Canyon Boulevard. The twisting Malibu canyon road starts flat but quickly gains altitude, eventually leading into the funky community of Topanga Village. An artists’ enclave during the 1960s, the town is still a charming hideaway, replete with cute cafés and a handful of yoga studios and restaurants.

From there, veer west onto Old Topanga Canyon Road. The shady stretch is filled with sycamore and oak trees and becomes increasingly curvy as you approach the summit and start weaving down the other side of the mountain. A left onto Mulholland Highway will take you all the way to Malibu Creek State Park and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Both offer scenic city views and several rugged hiking trails, if you’re in the mood to stretch your legs.

Encinal Canyon Road

Hop on Encinal Canyon Road, 13 miles west of the Inn and just past El Matador Beach, and snake your way north through Charmlee Wilderness Park. The 532-acre swath of undeveloped land features sweeping vistas of the ocean, hiking trails that weave through the desert brush, wildflowers in the spring and summer, and lovely picnic areas to take it all in. Continue climbing until you reach the top of the canyon as it winds around Point Dume. The ensuing view is nothing short of spectacular.

For those with stronger stomachs, Decker Canyon Road runs parallel to Encinal Canyon and features a few more hairpin turns. The two roads meet up about five miles into the hills.

Malibu Canyon Road

This stunner starts just two miles west of the Inn, and curves away from Pepperdine University and into the Santa Monica Mountains. The stretch between the ocean and the California Wildlife Center is transportive, especially at sunset, with the dying light bathing the canyon walls in an almost sepia tone. Less for the beach crowd, Malibu Canyon Road is for those who want to feel ensconced in their mountainous surroundings.

Latigo Canyon Road

About five miles east of Point Dume you’ll find Latigo Canyon Road. Like Decker Canyon Road, it’s another twisting and turning ride featuring switchbacks and tight turns; also like Decker Canyon Road, it’s a scenic stunner that shA classic Malibu scenic drive, Latigo Canyon Road runs into the PCH about five miles east of Point Dume (and five miles west of the Inn). Like Decker Canyon Road, it’s another twisting and turning ride featuring switchbacks and tight turns; also like Decker Canyon Road, the Latigo Canyon Road scenic drive is a serious stunner that should not be missed. Pull over at the first 180-degree U in the road (about 1.5 miles from the Pacific Coast Highway) for a postcard-worthy view of the coast.ould not be missed. Pull over at the first 180-degree U in the road (about 1.5 miles from the Pacific Coast Highway) for a postcard-worthy view of the coast. 

Featured photo: Envato