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Malibu, CA

Frequently asked questions

Malibu, CA

Malibu is a beach city in the Santa Monica Mountains region of Los Angeles County, California, about 30 miles (48 km) west of Downtown Los Angeles. It is known for its Mediterranean climate, its strip of beaches stretching 21 miles (34 km) along the Pacific Ocean coast, and its longtime status as the home of numerous affluent Hollywood celebrities and executives. Although a high proportion of its residents are entertainment industry figures with million-dollar mansions, Malibu also features several middle- and upper-middle-class neighborhoods. The Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) traverses the city and has led most residents to settle anywhere from half a mile (0.8 km) to within a few hundred yards of it, with some residents living up to one mile (1.6 km) away from the beach in areas featuring narrow canyons. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 10,654.

Nicknamed "The 'Bu" by surfers and locals, Malibu is noted for its beaches. The many parks within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area lie along the ridges above the city.

The city is bounded by the Santa Monica Mountains to the north, Topanga to the east, Solromar to the west, and the ocean to the south. Signs around the city boast of its "21 miles of scenic beauty" about the incorporated city limits. In 2017, the signs were updated from the historical 27-mile (43 km) length of the Malibu coast spanning from Tuna Canyon on the southeast to Point Mugu in Ventura County on the northwest. The Malibu ZIP code includes residents of the unincorporated canyon areas as it was assigned before the city was incorporated. The city also has the closest commercial centers.

Malibu is named for the Ventureño Chumash settlement of Humaliwo, which means "the surf sounds loud". This pre-colonial village was next to Malibu Lagoon and is now part of the State Park.

Malibu's eastern end borders the community of Topanga, which separates it from the city of Los Angeles. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 19.8 square miles (51 km2), over 99% of it land.

Malibu's dry brush and steep clay slopes make it prone to fires, floods, and mudslides.

Beaches on the Malibu coast include Big Rock Beach, Broad Beach, County Line Beach, Dan Blocker Beach, La Costa Beach, Las Flores Beach, Malibu Beach, Point Dume Beach, Surfrider Beach, Topanga Beach, and Zuma Beach. State parks and beaches on the Malibu coast include Leo Carrillo State Beach and Park, Malibu Creek State Park, Point Mugu State Park, and Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach, along with individual beaches such as El Matador Beach, El Pescador Beach, La Piedra Beach, Carbon Beach, Surfrider Beach, Westward Beach, and Escondido Beach. Paradise Cove, Pirates Cove, Trancas, and Encinal Bluffs are along the coast of Malibu. Point Dume forms the northern end of the Santa Monica Bay, and Point Dume Headlands Park affords a vista stretching to the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Santa Catalina Island. Like all California beaches, Malibu beaches are public below the mean high tide line. Many large public beaches are easily accessible, but such access is sometimes limited for some of the smaller and remoter beaches.

The Malibu Coast lies on the fringe of an extensive chaparral and woodland wilderness area, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Various environmental elements collectively create a recipe for natural disasters: the mountainous and geologically unstable terrain; seasonal rainstorms that result in dense vegetation growth; seasonal dry Santa Ana winds; and a naturally dry topography and climate.

Malibu emphasizes health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by Malibu’s Recreation and Community Services Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Cure Wellness Center, The Ranch Malibu, and Malibu Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Malibu, such as the Tuna Canyon Park and the Corral Canyon Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Malibu, CA are El Matador State Beach, Point Dume, and Zuma Beach.

Population: 10,298 (2024). ZIP codes: 90263–90265. Area codes: 310, 424. Elevation: 105 ft (32 m). Area: 19.90 sq mi (51.54 km2).

FAQs

Why is Malibu California famous?

Typically associated with surfing and celebrities, Malibu is part rustic small town and part glitzy getaway. The balanced combination of grit and glamour has long been part of the allure for the well-to-do and famous folks who’ve sought privacy in Malibu before its official incorporation as a city in 1991. With 29 beaches to choose from and many of them offering access to waves of various sizes and quality, it’s easy to understand how the town became synonymous with surfing as well.

Is Malibu, CA an expensive place to live?

The cost of living in Malibu is significantly higher than the national average, driven primarily by housing costs. Malibu has a median sales price of $3,695,000, making other major luxury markets in Los Angeles more attractive such as Beverly Hills ($1.9M) and Hollywood Hills ($1.74M). Aside from housing, everything from groceries to health care tends to be more expensive here.

Is it safe to live in Malibu, CA?

With a crime rate of 40 per one thousand residents, Malibu has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 25. Within California, more than 94% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Malibu.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Malibu

Cure Wellness Center

The Ranch Malibu 

Malibu Fitness

Tuna Canyon Park

El Matador State Beach

Point Dume

Zuma Beach

Oliver Peoples

Redfin

Neighborhoodscout

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