Malibu

 

The shining jewel of the Southern California coastline, Malibu combines the glamour of Beverly Hills with the natural beauty and casual ease of beachfront living. The 27 miles of coastline were originally owned by the Ringe family, who maintained its exclusive privacy and pristine condition until 1929, when they invited a few notable stars of their time to move in to an area now called The Colony.

The rest of Hollywood soon followed, and now the roster of residents reads like a Who’s Who of the entertainment industry. In every phase of its development, this early dedication to conservation, privacy, and exclusivity has been maintained. From the vistas that sweep from Point Dume to Palos Verdes —called The Queen’s Necklace — to the vast ranches and canyons of its upper reaches, Malibu offers a vast array of choices for ultimate coastline living.
 You can’t think of Malibu without thinking of its beaches. Zuma, Pirates Cove, Trancas, and Surfrider all typify the surf-and-sand romanticism of the Beach Boys, and are favorites of many shoregoers. The privileged few who call The Colony home have the bright, sandy beaches of the Pacific as their front yards, their privacy protected by security gates and walls lining Pacific Coast Highway behind their properties.

Point Dume has become sought after for its fantastic promontory views and access to white sandy beaches. The unique enclave of Paradise Cove is an exclusive and expensive trailer park, made famous recently by director Tom Shadyac of Ace Ventura fame in his documentary about simplifying and living a purposeful life. This philosophy is a hallmark of many Malibu residents, who have a collective commitment to spiritual and healing pursuits. The Serra Retreat and surrounding private homes provide a setting for peace, serenity and reflection. High atop the hills, large tracts of land and ranches are a prime location for raising and riding horses. The lovely campus of Pepperdine University is perched high on the coast, overlooking the beaches. Tucked into the beautiful hills above Malibu are Las Flores, Ramirez, Coral, and Carbon Canyons, each with a personality and environment all its own. These canyons are not only settings for secluded and more rustic homes, they are also a sportsman’s paradise for hiking, rock climbing, fishing and exploring. From the beach to the hills, there is a great commitment to preserve the natural beauty and lifestyle. While PCH and the nearby 10 and 405 freeways make it easy to commute or visit, there is so much local shopping, entertainment and recreation that there’s little need to leave. As many major movie deals may be done on the beach at “Deal Rock” than in urban offices.

The Malibu Civic Center, Malibu Lumberyard and Malibu Country Mart, all in Cross Creek, boast some of the poshest shops and cafes in LA, great places to browse and eat side by side with celebrities. Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), the major route into Malibu, is a favorite of cyclists for its gorgeous views and cool sea breezes. In addition to world-class beaches, Malibu is home to an array of beautiful parks, including Malibu Bluffs, Malibu Creek Park, and Point Mugu State Park. The new cutting-edge Legacy Park, designed to conserve and protect five coastal habitats and environmentally clean the waters that feed Malibu Creek and the ocean, hosts a learning and cultural center. Public schools are very good, given the community’s affluent and socially conscious profile. Pepperdine and HRL laboratories attract academic and technological elements to the community.