Things to do in Malibu

2026 Americas 50 - Night Attractions

CA-1

CA-1 is a highly iconic coastal self-drive route on the West Coast of the United States, stretching over 1,000 km along the Pacific coastline and connecting coastal towns from the San Francisco Bay Area, Monterey, Big Sur, San Simeon, and Morro Bay all the way to Los Angeles. Its highlight is concentrated in the Big Sur section between Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and San Simeon: the road winds along steep cliffs, with the surging Pacific Ocean on one side and mountains and redwood forests on the other. There are many scenic parking areas along the way where you can pull over at any time to enjoy the sea breeze and watch the waves crash against the cliffs. There are several highly recognizable scenes along this section: the Bixby Bridge, which spans the canyon, is an elegantly designed concrete arch bridge, and there are almost always vehicles parked at the bridgehead for photos; McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park drops directly from the cliff top onto the beach in the cove, making it a rare beach waterfall in California; the sand at Pfeiffer Beach has a faint purple hue due to the weathering of manganese garnet in the cliffs; further south in the San Simeon area, groups of northern elephant seals can be seen sunbathing on the beach year-round, and you can also visit Hearst Castle on the mountain nearby. The Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey at the northern end and the town of Carmel-By-The-Sea also have their own unique charm.

No. 7 of Activities in United States

Surfing in Los Angeles

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Universal Studios Hollywood

Explore iconic movie sets, participate in immersive photo activities, experience tour upgrades, and enjoy themed food and collectibles. ·Explore large-scale movie sets in Hollywood and learn behind-the-scenes trivia about filmmaking ·Explore the mysterious Hogwarts castle as you journey through The Wizarding World of Harry Potter ·Step into the Super Mario™ world at Super Nintendo World and get ready to experience Mario Kart™ ·Enjoy thrilling roller coasters and experience realistic movie scenes

2026 Global 50 - Cool Water Escapes

Santa Monica State Beach

Santa Monica State Beach is a popular coastal getaway in Southern California. This coastline is known for its long, golden sandy beaches and expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. A bike path runs along the coast, extending south to Venice Beach, offering a classic route to experience the Southern California coastal lifestyle while cycling by the sea. Santa Monica Pier sits on the beach, with its wooden boardwalk extending from the sand into the ocean, dating back to the early 20th century. The pier features an amusement park, and its towering Ferris wheel stands between the sea and the sky, visible from afar on the beach, making it a visual landmark of this coastline. Live performances by street performers are also a common sight on the pier, where music and the sound of crashing waves intertwine to create a lively and free-spirited seaside atmosphere.

No. 6 of Night Attractions in California

Getty Center

Getty Center is perched on the hills of Brentwood and was funded by the estate of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty. The complex was designed by architect Richard Meier and features large areas of white travertine as its facade material. Visitors must take a cable car from the parking lot at the foot of the hill to the hilltop campus, where they can overlook the Los Angeles cityscape along the way. The museum's collection focuses on European art from before the 20th century, covering various categories such as paintings, drawings, manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative arts, while also possessing a photography collection that spans from the 1830s to the present. The museum also houses a large number of illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, as well as authentic works by European masters from the 14th to the 19th centuries, covering important art movements such as the Italian Renaissance, the Dutch Golden Age, and French Neoclassicism. The decorative arts gallery displays furniture, tapestries, and glassware from different periods in Europe. Central Garden is another major highlight of Getty Center. The garden organizes space from an artist's perspective, with a stream cascading from a height, passing through the shade of London plane trees, and flowing into a sunken plaza. In the center of the plaza is an azalea maze, surrounded by large plant sculptures with steel frames adorned with bougainvillea. The garden is planted with hundreds of species of plants, among which one can also see the bird of paradise, the official flower of Los Angeles.

Point Dume

Malibu Pier

In MalibuPier you can see a lot of people fishing, shopping, dining, people can also sit on the benches and watch the sea.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

El Matador State Beach

ElMatador Beach is a great place to take pictures. There are not many people here, and there are strange reefs, beaches, or lonely branches around the sea. It's a great place to go out and breathe on weekends.

Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Mountain Creek State Park is located in Southern California, USA. It covers a large area. There are volcanic lava more than 20 million years ago, so it forms a peculiar landscape and attracts countless tourists and filmmakers. The park has a tide pool, a rock climbing wall and a large expansive campground. So swim, picnic, rock climb, bike and camp here.