With its expansive beaches, coastal mountains, and beloved state parks, the community of Malibu enjoys one of Southern California’s most prized commodities: the room to spread out and truly take in the serene beauty of the region.

But even in the most peaceful, spacious towns, a central hub offers an all-important place for the community to convene. Here, it’s Malibu Country Mart, set just off the Pacific Coast Highway. More than a typical retail destination, the six-acre center provides a spot for locals and visitors alike to meet up and enjoy some of the area’s best shopping, wellness offerings, dining, and more. And with nearly 70 tenants, plenty of outdoor space, a playground, and a rotating schedule of events, it balances out Malibu’s signature peaceful ambiance with a bit of bustle.

Less than a mile from Malibu Beach Inn, here’s what you’ll discover during a visit to Malibu Country Mart.

Shopping

The first thing you’ll notice when you arrive at Malibu Country Mart is, most likely, the array of retail options available. “We really have everything — we have a mix of awesome stores that you can find in other locations, as well as some special places that exist only in our shopping center,” explains Sara Tabibzadeh, director of marketing at Malibu Country Mart. From luxury outposts to charming upscale boutiques, the selection is as unique as Malibu itself.

There’s the Austin-based Sunroom, with its breezy, west-coast inspired clothing and accessories for women; lifestyle and fashion store Planet Blue, a Country Mart mainstay since 1995; and Faherty, offering a beachy, Malibu vibe through its surf-inspired apparel. Canvas Malibu, a Malibu Country Mart exclusive, often showcases art alongside its design-focused men’s and women’s clothing, while Double RL & Co. purveys vintage-inspired collections for men.

Not all of the retail stores are clothing-centric, though. “We have Burro, which is a really cute, small gift store—they have adorable cards and cookbooks and things like that,” says Tabibzadeh. The Malibu Colony Co. is another area-favorite boutique, featuring curated housewares and high-end jewelry. “They’ve been in the Malibu Country Mart for quite some time, and for many people, it’s like the go-to store when you need to buy a gift for someone,” Tabibzadeh adds.

As far as big-name brands go, visitors will also come across Vince, Ted Baker, John Varvatos, Paige, Oliver Peoples, and more.

Wellness

This being Malibu, it’s no surprise that the center hosts a wide variety of wellness-oriented businesses. 5 Point Yoga promotes good vibes through its yoga classes for all levels, while visitors can head to Pure Barre for a challenging, burn-inducing barre workout. To refuel, grab an Instagram-ready smoothie bowl or fresh juice from the popular SunLife Organics.

Relaxation and renewal can also be found at Malibu Acupuncture, offering healing through a time-honored Chinese medicine practice, and Ambience Skin & Body, where spa treatments range from radio-frequency facials to CBD massages.

As a complement to the physical, guests can find a metaphysical experience at Malibu Shaman. It’s the oldest store at Malibu Country Mart, and nearly everyone knows the owner, Scott, says Tabibzadeh, lending the store a community feel. You’ll find crystals, jewelry, books, and more tools for spiritual wellness, and there are also psychic readers available (if you’re looking to really dive deep).

Dining & Events

Malibu Country Mart is also a popular dining destination, featuring Greek favorite Taverna Tony, Italian spot Tra Di Noi, and fine-dining Chinese restaurant Mr. Chow. Culinary offerings can also be found during Malibu Country Mart’s many events — for example, in celebration of recent International Yoga Day and the summer solstice, SunLife Organics offered juices as 5 Point Yoga held free yoga on the lawn.

The most popular event is the Summer Block Party, which will be held this year on August 10^th, 2019. “It’s an event that we do every single year,” shares Tabibzadeh. “Everything is completely complimentary to all of the guests, and we have everything [including] ice cream treats, snow cones, popsicles, hair braiding, face painting, a petting zoo, [and more],” she says. Guests can also stop by a henna tattoo station or sit down with a tarot card reader.

Later in the year, Malibu Country Mart’s holiday programming is also popular in the community. “For Christmastime, we have the same Santa and Mrs. Claus every year in front of our large Christmas tree in the lawn, and we do complimentary photos with them,” says Tabibzadeh. “At that event we recently added a letters to Santa mailbox, and we have live reindeer as well.”

Whether you’re visiting in the lively summer season or for a quiet winter retreat at Malibu Beach Inn, there’s always something to experience at Malibu Country Mart—even if it’s simply a taste of the local vibe. “It’s this little secret hub in Malibu and I don’t think there’s really anything of its kind in the area—or anywhere for that matter,” says Tabibzadeh. Between luxury shoppers and surfers grabbing smoothies in flip-flops, it seamlessly blends into the singular charm of Malibu.

All photos: Courtesy of Malibu Country Mart