Malibu Charging

The roar of the ocean beckons gilt-edged billionaires to epic real estate on a 21-mile stretch of scenic Pacific coastline, home to Malibu and its beaches and surf. From pipeline masters riding monster waves at Third Point to landside locals like Angelina and Brad sipping margaritas in beachfront mansions, L.A.’s first surf society has a small-town feel with big-time wealth emanating from celebrity owned mega-mansions and swank boutiques rivaling only those in Beverly Hills.

Read on as Haute Living turns the tide and dials you in to this once-sleepy beach community turned seductive, easy-going social institution for the Champagne-sipping privileged. If L.A. is the City of Angels, then Malibu is cloud nine holding up a menagerie of bonfires, beach parties, and starry nights.

Surf City

Originally settled by Native Americans who named Malibu “Humaliwo” or “the surf sounds loudly,” the paradise city of surf, sand, sailboats, and sun is now home to the richest and most famous, who live in seclusion nestled between Pacific Coast Highway and the Pacific Ocean. The list of celebrities who call Malibu home reads like a who’s who of Hollywood: Frank Mancuso, Jeffrey Katzenberg, David Geffen, Larry Ellison, Kevin Garnett, Bob Dylan, Steven Spielberg, Pierce Brosnan, Pamela Anderson, Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore, Bruce Willis, Jack Nicholson, Kate Hudson, Adam Sandler, Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna, Cher, Courteney Cox, and James Cameron. And that’s just a short list.

Good Vibrations

The Malibu scene is getting a boost in designer boutiques in high-end shopping centers and restaurants setting up shop in the tiny town. Malibu locals want to keep the city’s treasures a secret. After all, billionaires fighting millionaires for prime waterfront property and private beaches leaves little room for outsiders in this battle royale. Fortunately, Haute Living readers are no newcomers to luxury of the land, so we’re breaking down the town and showing you where to go and what to do on the epic shores of Malibu.