·  The ultimate Malibu itinerary for four unforgettable days: From oceanfront relaxation at Malibu Beach Inn to iconic dining, culture, and coastal adventure, this curated guide takes the guesswork out of planning.

·  Beach days, bold flavors, and cultural gems: Surf Carbon Beach, dine at Nobu, explore the Adamson House, and experience Malibu’s vibrant live music scene.

·  Mountains to martinis, sunrise to sunset: Hike the Santa Monica Mountains, shop local boutiques, savor walkable beach lunches, and return each evening to the comfort of your oceanfront retreat.

For some, a vacation is a time to sleep in, a time to lilt through a new location, a time to let the day come to them. For others, the Scouts say it best: Be Prepared.

For that latter group, we thought we’d help with some plans.

Malibu has so many adventures waiting that it can feel like dining at a restaurant with 50 entrees on the menu – the paralysis of choice is real! But with the Pacific Coast Highway now reopened, the road to our beach paradise is easier than ever to navigate. Give us four days, and we can give you a Malibu itinerary covering a wide range of what makes the town so special.

The breezeway at Malibu Beach Inn showing the ocean at dusk during check-in on a Malibu itinerary.

Day 1: 

Whether you’ve arrived at Malibu Beach Inn after a short drive to the coast up the PCH or a long assortment of planes, trains, and automobiles, it’s time to relax and decompress. Thankfully, there’s plenty of ways to do that without leaving the hotel. Take a quick walk down to Carbon Beach and take in a spectacular sunset (in the winter, it usually happens right around check-in time). Get your toes in the sand and feel connected with the destination. Then, head back upstairs and grab dinner at Carbon Beach Club. The restaurant’s emphasis on local sourcing comes through in nearly every dish, with the freshest of ingredients. Following your meal, retire to your room where you can still enjoy the ocean breeze while snacking on a charcuterie board or sipping a cocktail from the Club’s bar. After all, you’ve got to rest up for the days ahead.

Beach signs and a lifeguard stand with seagulls overhead on a Malibu itinerary vacation.

Day 2: 

If you were patient enough to make it through the first night without jumping in the ocean, then now’s the time! The water’s always fine for any number of fun ocean activities: surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming, or just wading out toward the horizon.

Once back on solid land, it’s time for a midday meal – and in Malibu, the best lunch is one you can walk with. Eating while enjoying the surfside scenery is a great way to relax (and relaxing helps digestion, too!). Some suggestions: Lily’s, a mile off of Zuma Beach, is famed for its burritos – but on weekends, don’t sleep on the café’s tamales. Closer to the Inn, Basqueria sells a limited number of sandwiches each day depending on the chef’s whims (they tend to sell out before noon, so get there quickly!) and is an easy walk from Malibu Lagoon State Beach.

And since you’ve gotten a quick lunch, splurge a little later on dinner. Malibu has a tremendous culinary scene, especially in terms of diversity of cuisines. Lucky’s is a traditional steakhouse that occasionally hosts big-name celebrities (various members of the House of Kardashian, for instance, have been spotted here). Taverna Tony’s makes standout Greek food in a lively atmosphere. And then, of course, there’s the famed Nobu, just steps from the Inn, with chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s Japanese-Peruvian fusion menu. You could return to a Malibu vacation scores of times and never run out of great restaurants to visit.

Overhead view of beautifully plated dishes and wine at Carbon Beach Club.

Day 3: 

After spending a full day admiring the sights, sounds, and smells of the beach, the third day is a great time to take in some of Malibu’s great cultural institutions. Start the day with a little history by visiting the Adamson House, which boasts a large collection of original Malibu tile. That artisan work made its way around the world – quite a feat for the 1920s and 30s.

In the afternoon, head east to Villa Getty which, while technically in the Pacific Palisades, is still a Malibu-area must-see. A large collection of Greek and Roman antiquities resides here, on stunning grounds modeled after a large Roman country estate. Download the GettyGuide for your smartphone before arriving, and it’s like having your own pocket docent as you tour the exhibits.

In the evening, cross the street from the Inn (seriously – it’s practically next door) and see who’s on the bill at Aviator Nation Dreamland. The Venice, CA-founded clothing brand took over the former Crazy Horse Saloon (which may or may not have been co-owned by Neil Young) and are continuing the tradition with interesting musicians (who often play much larger rooms elsewhere) and a great cocktail menu.

Hiking trails around Malibu overlooking the Santa Monica Mountains and the beaches.

Day 4: 

Most people, when thinking about Malibu, imagine a beach vista. But the Santa Monica Mountains have their own charm, as well, and leaving town without a hike along one of the area’s many trails would be missing a major opportunity. Wander through Charmlee Wilderness Park, with its eight miles of paths, or take it easy with a walk through the Point Dume Natural Preserve.

And before heading home, pick up a keepsake at one of Malibu’s many boutiques. Surfing Cowboys, at Malibu Village, has plenty of homages to the board lifestyle, and the neighboring Malibu Country Mart has a great blend of local and national brands.

Malibu is a choose-your-own-adventure book of fun, with a little something for every taste. Whether it’s indulging in the natural beauty of the ocean or the Santa Monica Mountains, dining at some of the country’s finest restaurants, or engaging with mind-expanding art, visitors have so much to explore. But you can also visit the oceanside hamlet for relaxation and recharging, too. Malibu Beach Inn serves as the ideal basecamp to absorb all the destination has to offer. Think of this Malibu itinerary as a sampling platter, a little bit of many of the activities that make the town a favorite for travelers of all ages and backgrounds.