The Ultimate Guide to Your Malibu Getaway this Summer
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When to Visit Malibu in the Summer
June (Gloom) - Best time to escape the heat
June marks the beginning of summer, and while most of California is experiencing hot temperatures, Malibu (and other coastal cities) experience what is known as June Gloom.
June Gloom is when the cold ocean air interacts with the hot inland air and creates, essentially, natural Air Conditioning.
But don’t let that deter you from visiting Malibu in June! Just pack extra warmies. And please don’t forget sunscreen! I got the worst sunburn of my life on an overcast day.
July & August - Classic Malibu Beach Vacay
These are probably the most popular months to visit Malibu in the summer!
If you’re planning on visiting Malibu in July or August, be sure to book your accommodations early, get your dinner reservations set, and have a game plan so you’re not stuck in beach traffic.
As a local, I don’t leave my house during peak traffic times.
The beach traffic leaving Zuma and Paradise Cove is no joke!!!
Also pack plenty of light and warm layers, and sunscreen! Malibu is hot during the day, but the temperature drops in the evening.
September - Goodbye Crowds
The first few days of September might be the absolute busiest time for Malibu (Labor Day and the Malibu Chili-Cookoff).
But after that? Malibu starts to slow down.
School is back in session for most families and the crowds start to thin. Weekends are still super busy, but the weekdays get some relief.
September is actually one of my favorite months in Malibu. It’s still warm, there’s less crowds, and things start to get back to normal.
Where to Stay in Malibu
Best Hotels in Downtown Malibu
If your perfect stay in Malibu looks like shopping, fine dining, and popping into other parts of LA for the day, then you’ll want to book your stay in downtown Malibu!
The Surfrider Hotel: A boutique, design-forward beach house perched on the Pacific Coast Highway, offering exclusive rooftop dining and panoramic views of the iconic Surfrider Beach.
Malibu Beach Inn: Each of the 47 oceanfront rooms offers panoramic Pacific views, complemented by the award-winning Carbon Beach Club restaurant and direct access to the exclusive sands of Billionaire’s Beach.
Nobu Ryokan: An exclusive 16-room beachfront retreat blending Japanese minimalism with California elegance, offering teak soaking tubs, private decks, and privileged access to Nobu Malibu dining.
The M Malibu: A boutique hotel featuring modern rooms with partial ocean views, a sun-soaked pool, and a prime location just steps from the beach and Malibu Pier.
Best Hotels for a Beach Vacation
If your perfect Malibu vacation looks like relaxing on the beach, soaking up the sun, and playing in the ocean, then you’ll want to book these hotels! They are located close to Malibu’s best vacation beaches, Zuma Beach, Westward Beach, and Paradise Cove.
Malibu Country Inn: A boutique retreat nestled above Zuma Beach, offering 16 uniquely styled rooms with private patios, and ocean or garden views—perfect for a tranquil coastal escape.
Hotel June: featuring 13 thoughtfully designed bungalows, a heated outdoor pool, and a rich artistic history—including the famed Room 13 where Bob Dylan penned Blood on the Tracks.
Best Hotels Near Malibu
If you don’t want to stay in Malibu, but you still plan to visit the beach every day during your vacation, you’re going to want to check out these hotels!
Calamigos Guest Ranch: A luxurious 200-acre retreat nestled in Malibu's wine country, offering serene accommodations, and rejuvenating wellness experiences amidst the Santa Monica Mountains. Take Kanan Dume Road or Mulholland to Encinal to get to the beach.
Westlake Village Inn: A picturesque 17-acre resort nestled near Malibu, offering Mediterranean-inspired accommodations, and premier amenities including a luxury spa, award-winning dining, and an on-site vineyard—perfect for a romantic escape or relaxing retreat. Take Decker Canyon Rd to access the beach.
Cambria Hotel, Calabasas: Stylish accommodations, an outdoor pool with cabanas, and the Malibu Canyon Bar & Grill create an ideal retreat nestled between the Santa Monica Mountains and Malibu's scenic coast. Take Malibu Canyon Rd to get to the beach.
Helpful Tip:
Book hotels near Malibu Canyon Rd, Kanan Dume Rd, or
Decker Canyon Rd for the easiest access to Malibu
Best Beaches in Malibu for a Summer Getaway
Zuma Beach: Zuma Beach is one of Malibu’s most iconic summer destinations, offering wide sandy shores, lifeguard-protected waters, and easy parking—perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and unforgettable family beach days.
Westward Beach: Westward Beach in Malibu with its expansive sandy shores, easy parking, dramatic sea cliffs, and proximity to the scenic Point Dume Nature Preserve, makes it perfect for sunbathing, tide pooling, and enjoying breathtaking coastal views.
Paradise Cove: Paradise Cove Beach in Malibu is the ultimate summer escape, where you can lounge on soft sands, swim in calm waters, and enjoy fresh seafood and cocktails just steps from the shore at the iconic Paradise Cove Beach Café.
Surfrider Beach: Surfrider Beach is a Malibu icon, perfect for summer with world-famous surf, golden sands, and easy access to the Malibu Pier for food and views.
Want more ideas for Malibu Beaches? Check out this blog post!
Most Romantic Beaches in Malibu
Explore the Best Malibu Beaches. From El Matador to Point Dume, find the perfect spot to relax with your loved one. Enjoy Malibu's romantic beach settings.
Best Summer Restaurants in Malibu
I picked these restaurants for their amazing food and beachy, summer vibes!
Whether you're looking for a casual sunset dinner or a lively brunch with friends, these places hit that sweet spot of delicious cuisine served with a side of beachy paradise feels. Trust me, your taste buds (and Instagram feed) will thank you later!
Breakfast/Lunch
Paradise Cove Beach Cafe: Paradise Cove Beach Café offers the quintessential Malibu summer experience—enjoy hearty seafood dishes and tropical cocktails with your toes in the sand, all while soaking in stunning ocean views at this iconic beachfront spot. (Family Friendly)
Malibu Farm Cafe: Malibu Farm Café is the perfect summer spot for fresh, farm-to-table dishes with stunning ocean views right at the edge of Malibu Pier.
Neptunes Net: This restaurant is a favorite of mine since childhood. Neptune’s Net is a legendary Malibu seafood shack where you can enjoy fried shrimp, clam chowder, and cold beer with ocean views, biker vibes, and a side of Hollywood history. (Family Friendly)
Malibu Brewing Company: Malibu Brewing Company is a must-visit summer spot, offering 22 rotating taps of craft beer, a chef-driven menu featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and a laid-back coastal vibe just steps from Zuma Beach. (Family Friendly)
Dinner
The Sunset Restaurant: The Sunset Restaurant in Malibu, located directly across from Westward beach, is a must visit spot with fresh coastal cuisine, panoramic ocean views, and a relaxed beachside atmosphere.
Nobu Malibu: It wouldn’t be a Malibu restaurant list without Nobu! Nobu Malibu is the ultimate summer dining spot, offering world-class Japanese-Peruvian cuisine with stunning oceanfront views and a chic, celebrity-loved atmosphere.
Best Places for Coffee & Sweets in Malibu
I’m a Starbucks girlie through in through, but I also love supporting local businesses around Malibu (and I’m a huge coffee fanatic)!
Coffee
Le Cafe De La Plage Malibu: My favorite coffee place in Malibu! They have amazing coffee and baked goods, as well as amazing ice cream!
Discover Malibu’s Cutest Café
As someone who grew up in Malibu (and has a serious love for all things coffee and pastries)
Le Cafe de la Plage is hands down one of my favorite spots in town! This place has it all: delicious food, cozy coffee, and a fun floral wall.
Alfred Coffee Malibu: Alfred Coffee in Malibu is a must-visit spot during your stay in Malibu! It offers stylish vibes, signature lattes, and a prime location in the Malibu Country Mart—perfect for fueling up between beach trips and boutique shopping.
Caffee Luxxe: Caffe Luxxe in Malibu offers artisanal coffee, fresh pastries, and a serene patio—perfect for a relaxing summer break, just across PCH from the beach.
Broad Street Coffee Co.: Broad Street Coffee Co. is another favorite of mine! It offers creative drinks like the French Toast Latte, delicious pastries, and soft-serve ice cream in a laid-back setting perfect for a beach day pick-me-up.
Sweets
Sweetbu: This is such a fun little spot! It’s my sons favorite store in Malibu. Sweetbu is located at the Trancas Country Market, right by Kristy’s restaurant. It has many treats and toys for children and adults to enjoy.
Kitch Treats: Kith Treats Malibu is a stylish summer hotspot offering inventive cereal-infused ice cream creations—like the exclusive Caramel Soba Cha Swirl—in a sleek, coastal setting just off the Pacific Coast Highway.
Malibu Yogurt & Ice cream: You know that song by Olivia Rodrigo? “Car rides to Malibu, Strawberry ice cream, one spoon for two?” Every time I hear that line I think of Malibu Yogurt & Ice Cream. Malibu Yogurt & Ice Cream is a beloved local spot offering a variety of frozen treats, including soft-serve frozen yogurt and ice cream with numerous toppings, perfect for cooling off during your summer vacation in Malibu.
Summer Activities for Your Malibu Getaway
Take a Surf Lesson
One of Malibu’s most famous past times is surfing, so why not book one (or a few) surf lessons in Malibu while you’re here on vacation! There are many, many surf instructors here in Malibu. I personally have experience with Malibu Makos (I did summer surf camp with them on year when I was a little kid!).
Malibu Surf School | Malibu Makos | Malibu Surf Coach
Go Shopping
There are so many places to shop in Malibu! My favorite spot to relax and shop is around the Cross Creek/Civic Center area! There’s tons of shopping and dining, and there’s even playgrounds for families!
Check out the Adamson House
If you want to take in Malibu’s history, then you should definitely check out the Adamson House! The Adamson House is a must-see stop in Malibu, offering a stunning blend of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, vibrant Malibu Potteries tilework, and sweeping ocean views—perfect for history lovers
Listen to Live Music
Every Friday in the summer, Trancas Country Market hosts live bands on their green lawn. It’s a fun time for families, couples, and individuals wanting to experience a Malibu Local pastime.
Interested in a Photoshoot this Summer?
About Megan W Photography
Megan is a Fine Art Maternity, Couples, and Family photographer who was born, raised, and is still living in Malibu, CA. She is here to capture you and your loved ones in images that you will want to cherish, and pass down to future generations.
Not only is she a photographer, but she is a mother, wife, daughter, and sister.
Maternity, family, and couples hold a special place in her heart because she knows how quickly time flies by. Megan W Photography wants to help you preserve those sweet little smiles, those tender, affectionate moments, and the love you share with each other.
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Hi! I’m Megan
I’m a boutique, Malibu, CA based photographer who specializes in Maternity, Couples, and families. I serve Los Angeles and Ventura County, as well as all of California. I value tangible, heirloom art pieces versus digital and I focus on quality over quantity.
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