COVID-Safe Things To Do In Malibu
It’s 2021 and many of us are entering our tenth month in quarantine. The excitement of the holidays is over and we’re falling back into our routines. Maybe you, like me, feel like you’re losing any and all sense of time. Or maybe you, like me, are longing for a change of scene?
Well, when it comes to traveling during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there’s good news and bad news. I’ll start with the bad news.
The COVID-19 Surge and You
You’ve probably been following reports of the COVID-19 surge. And, indeed, in the U.S., we are no longer “flattening the curve.” According to NPR, 24 million people in the U.S. have had confirmed coronavirus infections and over 400,000 deaths. Here in Southern California, the numbers are especially alarming. LA County recently became the first county to hit 1 million COVID-19 cases. So, to put it mildly… please do continue to social distance, wear a mask, wash your hands, etc. We’ve all been through months of quarantine. At this point, you know the drill.
Having said that… we’ve all been through months of quarantine! If you can find a safe way to get out of the house and travel, by all means, grab your mask and hand sanitizer and hit the road. That episode of 90 Day Fiancé will be waiting for you when you get back.
This brings me to the good news! Even with the current COVID surge, we still have Malibu. We still have long, ambling drives along the PCH. Here in Southern California, we’re blessed with plenty of outdoor activities that are still COVID-safe.
So what can you do in Malibu?
Our audio driving tour of Malibu will take you from downtown Santa Monica, up the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu’s Point Mugu. But what are some COVID-safe activities you can do in Malibu? I’ve prepared a guide.
Get carryout from local restaurants.
Eat something delicious, take a break from cooking and dishes, all while supporting small businesses.
Here are just a few places we recommend checking out. Just be sure you call ahead to confirm if they’re open since many restaurants have new hours in the pandemic.
- Malibu Farm Restaurant:
where you can enjoy farm-to-table options all while looking out at the Pacific Ocean.
- Duke’s Malibu:
is a classic Malibu mainstay, named after the famed Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku. They specialize in Hawaiian cuisine and the “Aloha spirit.” Try the Hula Pie and thank us later.
- Grab a basket of fish ‘n’ chips at Malibu Seafood and enjoy a picnic on the beach across the street.
- We recommend the calamari and tropical drinks at Paradise Cove Beach Cafe. The drinks are best sipped while wiggling your toes in the sand.
- Neptune’s Net is another famous restaurant providing some of the best seafood in California since 1956. It’s been seen in movies like Point Break and Fast and Furious. Their beer selection is also top-tier. Just saying.
- And if you’re looking for a more luxurious takeout experience, we suggest Moonshadows’ tuna tartare or Nobu’s world-famous sushi.
The Malibu Tour is a journey along one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the world. Our tour begins briefly in Santa Monica, then winds its way up the iconic Pacific Coast Highway through Malibu (with a couple of hidden gem
- 2 hours
- 25 miles
- Driving Tour
Go for a long walk on the beach.
Or take your takeout, spread a blanket, and enjoy a nice picnic. Or, in the true spirit of Malibu, go surfing! Just make sure you maintain a six-feet social distance from people outside of your household and check the Malibu beach hours online.
(If you want more up-to-date information on what California beaches are open, I recommend this helpful guide from the LA Times.)
- Topanga State Beach:
is one of the most popular surf spots in the area. Over a mile long, we recommend this beach for fishing, picnicking, and surfing. But the waves break over cobblestones and reef, so try swimming somewhere else.
- As you can probably tell from the name, Malibu Surfrider Beach is another primo spot for surfing. The waves here are so good, Malibu Surfrider Beach is actually home to the world’s first surfing reserve.
- Surfrider Beach is part of Malibu Lagoon State Beach and just north of Malibu Pier. If you’re not much of a surfer, there’s great birdwatching here.
- And, if you take our Malibu driving tour, you can learn about the history behind Malibu Surfrider Beach, which is the home of Gidget and the Malibu surf scene of the ‘50s and ‘60s.
- Surfrider Beach is part of Malibu Lagoon State Beach and just north of Malibu Pier. If you’re not much of a surfer, there’s great birdwatching here.
- Point Dume State Beach:
offers over a mile of scenic coastline and some of the best views in Southern California.
- Zuma Beach:
is a SoCal favorite with 1.8 miles of coastline, volleyball nets, and white sand. If you’re lucky, you might even get a glimpse of the grey whales making their winter migration.
- Westward Beach:
is a small strip of sand tucked away. Even though it is just south of popular Zuma Beach, Westward is bordered by sandstone bluffs that make it feel more secluded and private. The waves get rough here, but we think it makes an excellent picnicking spot.
- El Matador State Beach:
is one of three beaches within Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach. It’s also the most popular of the three. The stairs descending from the PCH to the beach are family-friendly and provide a great backdrop for Instagram photoshoots. El Matador also features unique caves and arches unlike anything else in Malibu. It is a must-see.
Take a hike!
The following Malibu parks offer great trails and some camping sites if you’re looking for a COVID-safe staycation that’s a bit off the beaten path.
You can find trail closure information here. Be sure to check ahead to see what restrooms are open. And, as always, remember to adhere to social distancing requirements.
- Tuna Canyon Park:
offers 1,255 acres of wilderness in the western Santa Monica Mountains. Not only is there hiking, but you can walk your dog on a leash and even go biking. Some of the trails even show views from the San Gabriel mountains to the Santa Monica Bay.
- Escondido Canyon Park:
features the Edward Albert Trail, which is 4.2 miles through the woods to the 150-foot Escondido Falls, the highest waterfalls in the Santa Monica Mountains.
- Zuma Canyon:
lets you choose your own adventure. There’s hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and dog walking. Find a detailed trail map here.
- Solstice Canyon:
has options for easy, moderate, and difficult hikes. It’s best known for the Solstice Waterfall and the architectural remains of the Keller House, a 100-year-old stone cabin. - Malibu Creek State Park:
features hiking, fishing, bird watching, mountain biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. The trail along Malibu Creek will treat you to breathtaking views of Malibu Canyon and Las Virgenes Valley.
- Topanga State Park:
offers 36 miles of trails through open grassland. It also provides jaw-dropping views of the Pacific Ocean. But keep in mind that dogs are not allowed on this trail.
- Point Mugu State Park:
features 70 miles of hiking trails, camping, and leads to the beach. The most popular trails are the gentle Grotto Trail and Overlook Trails Loop. For something a bit more challenging, try the Mugu Peak Trail.
- Will Rogers State Historic Park:
is named after the famous ‘30s actor Will Rogers, a.k.a. The “cowboy philosopher.” In the 1920s, he bought land in Santa Monica that he developed into a ranch and, in non-COVID times, you could tour Will’s ranch house. But even now, there are plenty of activities. There’s hiking, including a moderate 2-mile loop to and from Inspiration Point, horse riding, and biking.
Let Wayfarer Take you There
If any of these options are interesting to you, let Wayfarer be your private tour guide. From the comfort of your car, our audio driving tour will let you get some fresh air as you drive up the PCH. We provide local history, little-known-facts, and real-time recommendations for places to eat or explore. That’s the power of our GPS driving tour. You can stop or start the tour wherever you’d like, maybe while you’re enjoying yummy takeout from Malibu Farm on the beach.
Check out our blog for more information on what you need for the perfect road trip. And look here for more reasons to visit Malibu and our local staff favorites.
And, finally, if you take our Malibu driving tour, tag us on Keller House We love to hear from our fellow Wayfarers.
Let us help you forget about the news and COVID-19 numbers for a few hours. And, please, wear a mask and wash your hands.
by xotatech.com