• October is the best time to visit Malibu as in-the-know locals love the mild temperatures, Malibu wine tasting experiences, and less-trammeled hiking trails. 
  • The month is the “secret season” for its relaxed vibe and the best time to visit Malibu. 
  • All the October attractions are within a few miles of the Malibu Beach Inn.

October is Malibu’s true sweet spot of the year—and not just because of Halloween and seasonal foods like pumpkin pie start appearing. The warm weather tends to stick around, at least until the crisper autumn air sweeps in later in the month. Tourist crowds thin out, leaving the October visitor with an abundance of open tables at buzzy restaurants, more attentive wine pourers for Malibu wine tasting, and much more space on hiking trails and art walks around the ‘Bu. 

With that in mind, we’ve got some insider tips and attractions that will not only convince you October is Malibu’s “secret season,” but your favorite season for spending a few days at the Malibu Beach Inn in this iconic Southern California beach town.

A winery in Malibu during fall with the sun setting in the background

Dive into Malibu Wine Country

The ‘Bu is known for its pristine beaches and glamorous residents, but this town of 9,000 people also has a wine country. Grapes have been grown in Malibu since 1824 and, by the middle of the 19th century, Los Angeles County was producing more wine than any other region in the state. (That’s right, Napa.) Prohibition put a damper on the world of Malibu wine tasting and producing, but the industry here was revived in the 1980s and today there are a modest 46,000 acres of hillside vineyards, the coastal fog creating perfect conditions for Chardonnay, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Malibu is home to about 50 wineries, both along the coast and in the canyons. If you have time to visit just one, try Cielo Farms Vineyards, a small slice of Tuscany in a canyon. Lounge on the terrace overlooking the steep, vineyard-clad hills or in the ambient stone barn wine bar, while sipping on a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve or a crisp Viognier for an ideal Malibu wine tasting experience. You can even bring a bottle back to the Malibu Beach Inn to sip while watching the sunset.

A woman buying apples at an autumn farmer's market in Malibu

Embrace the Harvest

October is not just about Malibu wine tasting. The October calendar is crammed with autumnal-inspired events in Malibu. Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for example, the Malibu Farmers’ Market blossoms into action, as a bounty of seasonal autumn produce is on display. The market is just a 20-minute stroll along the beach and then through the Malibu Country Mart. 

If you’re in town toward the end of the month, there’s a fun, farmer-led feast—Farmers David Hertz and Laura Doss-Hertz, as well as chef Abraham Lemus, take guests on a tour of mountain top Xanabu Farms, first strolling through the orchards and coffee plantation and then sitting down for an outdoor harvest feast with views of the Malibu coastline. You can get more information or make a reservation here.

Friends hiking in Malibu during fall

Take a Hike

And by that, we’re not inviting you to check out of the Malibu Beach Inn. Your getaway isn’t over just yet. Literally, take a hike. With summer temperatures waning and ocean views in abundance, October is ideal for taking advantage of Malibu’s many scenic strolls and hikes. 

One of the most popular hikes (you could even call it a “stroll”) is the Rock Pool Trail in Malibu Creek State Park, about seven miles north of the Malibu Beach Inn. Known as the “Yosemite of Southern California, thanks to its deep canyons, volcanic rock peaks, and lush scenery, this 2.5-mile round trip trail is flush with verdant wonders, as you’ll amble through oak tree-studded savannahs in transition from summer green to autumn yellows and oranges and over babbling streams. The piece de resistance, though, might be the iconic rock pool, setting for countless TV shows and films, that doubles as a refreshing watering hole for swimming when the weather is warm. There are picnic benches along the way, so plan to bring a snack. Or uncork a bottle of wine you picked up at Cielo Farms. 

Once a month, the Malibu Library organizes Nature Walk and Story Time, in which local naturalists take a slow, easy amble through Legacy Park, telling intriguing stories about the local nature and wildlife inhabitants of the area. This month, the one-hour event is happening on October 21 at 10:30 a.m. 

And if an autumn hike in the mountains above Malibu or an educational naturist walk don’t appeal, there’s always 21 miles worth of sandy beaches that is the Malibu coastline, right at your front door outside of the Malibu Beach Inn.

Written by: David Farley

Edited by: Brenna Darling de Cruz