Questions about Malibu, CA area

[DanceBabe16]

If there are any California residents out there, I need your help!

My mom and I want to plan a trip out to the Malibu area the first week of August. I did a search on hotels in the area, but only found one: the Malibu Beach Inn. Are there any other hotels in the area?
Also, would we have to fly into LAX or is there another airport more convenient? I did a search on expedia.com and cheaptickets.com, but found close to nothing. I'm hoping y'all who live there could give me a better idea of the area. We're going mainly so I can tour Pepperdine University, but also want to experience all things 'California' like the beaches and shopping.

Thank you SO MUCH for all of your help! It is definitely appreciated.

 

[Goofymum]

I don't live in CA but I was just there a month ago. I received the worse sunburn of my life on the beach in Malibu lol. I was staying with family so I'm not really sure what beach I was even at. All I can remember is it was a private beach in between Goldie Hawn and Barbara Streisand's houses. I saw the guy that plays Eric Forrester on the Bold and the Beautiful on the beach and the clubhouse we rented was where they use to film parts of The Rockford files if that gives any clues as to location. I do have some really pretty pics of the beach!

I didn't notice any big hotel chains or anything there I didn't even notice a food chain there. Malibu seems to be kind of private and secluded. We did drive right by Pepperdine. We flew in to LAX because it was cheaper, but there is also Ontario airport.

 

[wdwpluto]

I spent the summer there back in 1996 and I was in Culver City (LA area) and it was not a terribly far drive - maybe 20-30 minutes?? I would stay in the LA area and drive up to Pepperdine - maybe do a mapquest and see how far they say it is (but don't forget to add time for traffic).

Are you planning a daytrip to Disneyland while you're there?

 

[DanceBabe16]

Great, thanks for all of your help! We probably will end up staying closer to L.A. and just driving out to Pepperdine and the beaches.

Originally posted by wdwpluto
Are you planning a daytrip to Disneyland while you're there?

Of course! Wouldn't skip it for the world!

 

[msteddom]

Originally posted by DanceBabe16
Great, thanks for all of your help! We probably will end up staying closer to L.A. and just driving out to Pepperdine and the beaches.

That's a good plan. Malibu is a largely residential area, although it does have some great beaches. The closest I think you can stay is in Santa Monica, which is about a 20 min. drive. If you do drive to Malibu, rent a convertible and drive up Pacific Coast Highway with the top down! Just don't do it during rush hour!


Melissa

 

[Mishetta]

Also, if that's the area you're going to stay in, then I would fly into LAX ~ it would be closer than Ontario. Traffic is so horrible out there, that a 20 minute ride anywhere else, will be at least 1 hour out there....especially the L.A. area. Santa Monica would be a nice area to stay in. Oh & try to squeeze in a day trip to Marina del Rey. Very pretty & lots of shops & restaurants on a quaint pier.

 

[NEM]

Hi,

I just moved a few months ago after living in Malibu for the past 10 years. The Malibu Beach Inn is really the only hotel in the area. THere are some roadside motels, but that one is right on the water, actually next door to my (former) apartment!! Great views and super beach access. The rooms are moderate in my opinion. I have stayed there during the floods and landslides.

Malibu is a more rural area with high priced houses. There are some great shopping areas and restaurants -
Italian - Allegria
Greek - Taverna Tony's
Breakfast/ Cafe style - Marmalade or Coogies
Sushi - Something Fishy
Nice/Fancy - Geoffreys (on the water) and Granita (Wolfgang Puck landlocked)
Pizza - Johnny's

Staying in Santa Monica gives you more urban shopping, nightlife and stuff. There is the pier, and tons of restaurants and shopping there. In the off time it is only 20 minutes up to Pepperdine from Santa Monica. Definitely dont try to drive up there after 3:30-4:00, the traffic can be tedious. If you want to stay on the beach, I reccommend Le Merigot in Santa Monica for reasonable prices and still very nice and for high end go for Casa del Mar, Loews, or Shutters. If you are on a more limited budget then the Georgian is clean & nice as is the Best Western on Ocean Ave.

For a great dinner go for crabcakes at the Ivy at the Shore in Santa Monica. YUM!!

Let me know if you have any more specific questions and I am happy to help.

Have fun and good luck!!

Michelle

 

[wdwpluto]

Originally posted by NEM

Sushi - Something Fishy

OMG! I ate there! First time I ever had sushi! The name scared me at first though! We loved loved loved El Coyote in LA for Mexican and margs. We're planning a DL/LA trip next May and it's on our must visit list!