• A combination of beaches, woodlands, and a slower pace create a long list of things to do in Malibu for couples.
  • Malibu’s beaches are some of the most famous in California, but there are still secluded spots to explore with a partner
  • From dining at Carbon Beach Club to a tour with a professional photographer, there are plenty of activities to fill a romantic getaway.

Windswept beaches, theater outdoors, candlelit oceanside dinners: Apologies to Virginia, but Malibu is truly for lovers. There’s so much romance even in day-to-day activities here that it’s a perfect hideaway for a couple wanting to get away from the day-to-day. Follow this itinerary for a couple’s vacation that neither of you will ever forget.

Two images, one of the entrance to Malibu Beach Inn, the second of a couple in bed with brunch

Day 1

Check-in at Malibu Beach Inn: Take a few moments to get comfortable in your room, with its beach breeze, ocean view, and impeccable amenities. It’s the easiest way to leave the city life behind and get into the mood for a romantic, relaxing weekend.

Sunset: Head west on the PCH about 12 miles and find a secluded spot along El Matador Beach to watch the sun fade over the horizon. There’s an inherent romanticism to any beach, but El Matador draws a smaller crowd while also featuring gorgeous rock formations and plenty of nooks and crannies that will make you and your loved one feel like you’re the only two people in the world.

Dinner: Return to the Inn for dinner at Carbon Beach Club Restaurant, where the sounds of the waves lapping up on the sand and the twinkling reflections along the ocean make for a beautiful backdrop to a dinner for two. And don’t worry: desserts here are made for sharing (although it’s hard to part with even a crumb of the Chocolate Pear Tart). The views and the food make it one of the most romantic restaurants in Malibu, CA.

Things to do in Malibu for couples include beachfront breakfast and walks on the beach

Day 2

Brunch: There’s no shortage of places to get brunch in Malibu, but a local favorite that combines good food with a gorgeous view is Café on 27, found in Topanga Canyon about 12 miles from the Inn. Grab a table on any level of the outdoor terrace for beautiful canyon vistas, and leaf through a menu loaded with California cuisine favorites, including a piled-high avocado toast and a decadent lobster benedict.

Photo Tour: Capturing moments and memories of a weekend in Malibu can bring a piece of that romance home with you. And having a memento of an idyllic romantic trip to Malibu is a must, and having a local photographer who knows all the right angles for both you and the town puts photo tours on the list of things to do in Malibu for couples. Ask our concierge desk for suggestions.

Happy Hour: Malibu has a host of great options for happy hour, but for a romantic getaway, two spots jump to mind. The Malibu outpost of Zinqué, an LA-based group of wine bars, sets a serene mood, and the shared appetizer menu features wonderful charcuterie and cheese boards, perfect for pre-dinner noshing. For a more spirit-forward hour of happiness, take a five-minute stroll to Aviator Nation Dreamland, grab a couch seat next to the music venue and bar’s colorful tinted windows, and get in some good people watching and great cocktails. 

Dinner: Head back up Topanga Canyon to The Inn of the Seventh Ray, a restaurant legendary in the Southland not just for its food, but also its wooded setting. With its rustic design and coastal setting, the Inn offers a quieter atmosphere that feels distinct from the energy of the surrounding area. But what it serves matches where they serve it: the Inn of the Seventh Ray received an award from Wine Spectator last year for its wine list, which features more than 250 bottles.

After-Hours: While in Topanga Canyon, check out the event calendar at the Will Greer Theatricum Botanicum, an outdoor theater that puts on plays under the stars and in the trees.

A couple holding hands and walking on the beach with the Malibu Pier in the background.

Day 3

Beach Walk: Get in some last-minute ocean therapy by wandering along the coast, starting at the Inn and the stunning Carbon Beach. Along the way, stop in at Malibu Farm steps away along the Malibu Pier to grab a sandwich or other handheld brunch favorites.

Getty Villa: A great last stop on the way out of town, this museum set on stunning landscaping is a serene and scenic way to end a romantic trip to Malibu. The setting itself is fascinating: the entire museum lies on grounds meant to recreate the feel of a Roman country home, and you and your partner could spend hours taking it all in. In between exhibits, make sure to take your time in the Outer Peristyle, the courtyard modeled on those of Roman villas, and to catch a last stunning view of the Pacific Ocean.

There are plenty of things to do in Malibu for couples, enough that you could spend a year of weekends in town and not exhaust the list. Consider reserving our Romantic Retreat package, which includes a $100 dining credit for Carbon Beach Club and a welcome amenity of chocolate-covered strawberries and chilled Laurent Perrier Champagne Brut. For a quick getaway, this three-day Malibu itinerary can be a guide to a weekend that brings you and your partner even closer. – But keep in mind that spontaneity is in the DNA of a relationship. When you stay at the Malibu Beach Inn, you’re at the center of everything Malibu has to offer – so feel free to make a spur-of-the-moment decision, too.