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.

Getting There

Make like a resident and cruise passed LAX six miles where you can land your jet at Santa Monica Airport, or head six miles further north and drop your G5 into Van Nuys Airport. Helipads at Santa Monica Municipal grant access to choppers along the coast with ease, whereas Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley provides privileged convenience and anonymity, just in case the paparazzi, or an ex, are on your tail. Once you hear tumultuous waves crashing into sandy shores and coastal bluffs, hit the beach, or make your rounds at the social house of the hour and immerse yourself in the sultry, carefree attitude of the seaside scene because you have arrived in Malibu.

Shopping

Malibu Lumber Yard (3939 Cross Creek Road; 310.456.7395), from developers and Malibu residents Richard Weintraub and Richard Sperber, opened in April 2009 with brands adjusted to Malibu’s changing demographics, including Maxfield, Intermix, Alice + Olivia, La Perla, Kitson Malibu, Planet Blue, James Perse, Theory, Tory Burch, J. Crew-at-the-Beach, Adrianna Shamaris, Café Habana from nightlife mogul Rande Gerber, Chocolate Box Café, and Crumbs Bake Shop, selling its signature cupcakes. The Malibu Lumber Yard is set alongside an ambrosial golf course, mountains, and the Malibu Lagoon. Its community-oriented, exotic grounds feature walkways, fish tanks, and age-old Kentia King palm trees and aloe trees, giving the Malibu Lumber Yard an upscale, open-air feel with seaside charm.

Malibu Country Mart (3835 Cross Creek Road; 310.826.5635) is Malibu’s premier outdoor shopping destination, decked-out in an eclectic mix of Mediterranean, modern, and rustic architectural styles. This family-friendly retail paradise spread over six acres of prime Malibu real estate is studded with more than 65 shops, galleries, restaurants, and sculptures. Malibu Country Mart is an all-day escape for locals and tourists alike with top-of-the-line designers, world-class gardens, al fresco dining, picnic areas, and a children’s playground. Workout for beach-worthy abs at newly opened 5 Point Yoga, offering yoga, mat Pilates, dance, fitness, and aerial classes. The boutique mall is home to John Varvatos, M. Fredric, Madison, Ralph Lauren, Double RL & Co., Henry Beguelin, Earnest Sewn, Planet Blue, Oliver Peoples, Ron Herman, L’Occitane, and James Perse, and fine dining including Nobu, Tra di Noi, and Taverna Tony.

Missoni (3824 Cross Creek Road; 310.456.7500) is giving Malibu Village a facelift. The high-end Italian fashion house is zigzagging its kaleidoscope of sea and sand colors onto Malibu soil, outfitting beach-chic shoppers with rich, boldly patterned frivolity. Load up on surfside essentials that are “Made in Italy” but worn in The ’Bu.

Theodore Beach (23733 Malibu Road; 310.456.7719) at Malibu Colony Plaza offers the best in beachy-glam. A celeb favorite for hard-to-find luxury brands, sexy Olivia DeBerardinis pin-up prints complement designer frocks from cutting-edge designers such as Ann Demeulemeester, Stitches, Plein Sud, Morphine Generation, and Da-Nang, as well as laid-back casual wear and customized accessories.

Dining

Sharing some of the best views in the world, Malibu’s choice dining options abound. Geoffrey’s (27400 Pacific Coast Highway; 310.457.1519) is on every social circle’s lips as the all-around favorite and by far the best brunch in Malibu. Everyone worth knowing sits down to seafood-laden tables set atop dramatic Cliffside bluffs. Zooma Sushi (29350 Pacific Coast Highway; 310.457.4131) wins for its low-key appeal and unique sushi combos sent out by the chef. It also serves as the place to go for sake and irresistible green tea tempura ice cream. Chart House (18412 Pacific Coast Highway; 310.454.9321) takes in the most magnificent sunset views of Topanga Point.

Malibu’s eclectic nature accounts for a variety of distinct fine-dining frontrunners. Sage Room (28915 Pacific Coast Highway.; 310.457.0711) imports authentic Italian from Sanremo to Malibu, incorporating healthy, natural ingredients into the art of cooking with passion. The Old Place (29983 Mulholland Highway; 818.706.9001) in Agoura Hills is steeped in history. Its quaint country feel complements the smoky flavors of exotic game roasted over oak fires. Terra (21337 Pacific Coast Highway; 310.456.1221) transports the garden onto your dinner plate. French doors open from a converted cottage to a patio strewn with thousands of fragments of broken Malibu Potteries tile where diners can enjoy gourmet homegrown delights.

You can count on Malibu for rustic beach huts serving casual seashore fare along the California coastline. Neptune’s Net Seafood Restaurant (42505 Pacific Coast Highway; 310.457.3095) caters to surfers, celebs, and locals who frequent the hidden treasure for its seafood staples. Malibu Seafood (25653 Pacific Coast Highway; 310.456.3430) is owned and operated by commercial fishermen, ensuring top seafood and known for its signature tartar sauce. Reel Inn (18661 Pacific Coast Highway; 310.456.8221) has been a landmark for fish and brew since Malibu became the epicenter of surfing, hailing beach-goers and commuters with its cheeky signage.

If you’re heading to or retreating from a full day of shopping or surfing, you can stop for a laid-back meal at one of local’s lunch favorites at Malibu Country Mart. Malibu Mutt’s Grill (3835 Cross Creek Road; 310.456.1211) next to John’s Garden has plenty of picnic tables and the best burger and fry combo around making it popular with families, while Howdy’s Taqueria (3835 Cross Creek Road; 310.456.6299) is a fun spot to grab tacos.

Nightlife

Once you’ve had your fill of freshly caught seafood, infiltrate Malibu’s vibrant after-hours scene. The lounge at The Sunset Restaurant (6800 Westward Beach Road; 310.589.1007) is an elegant beach-chic hideaway on Zuma Beach where couples and intimate circles can sip sophisticated cocktails. Barrel Malibu Wine Bar (23715 Malibu Road; 310.456.8777) tantalizes taste buds with a rare wine collection reflecting Malibu’s eclectic spirit. Linger through the evening with pours from older vintages as well as the world’s hottest new boutique wineries. Gladstone’s Malibu (17300 Pacific Coast Highway; 310.454.3474) attracts trendsetting singles to its casual cool ambiance recently created by SBE nightlife king Sam Nazarian.

Where to Stay

If your old pal David Geffen’s pad is occupied for the weekend, retreat to the next best place on Billionaire’s Beach. Malibu Beach Inn (22878 Pacific Coast Highway; 310.456.6444) captures the Malibu moment with scenic views of Carbon Beach, in-room fireplaces, and contemporary furnishings made from exotic wenge wood. The tranquility of Cure Spa, the property’s intimate on-site spa, boasts an impressive menu of treatments, while Malibu Beach Inn’s terrace offers signature dining in sun-kissed ambiance, perfect for a casual breakfast or lunch overlooking stunning views of the Pacific’s tumbling surf and golden sands.

Just a 20-minute Porsche-charged drive down Pacific Coast Highway and you’ve arrived at another ritzy seaside ZIP code, Santa Monica. Prolong your respite on the sands of Santa Monica Bay near the Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, Main Street, upscale shopping, fine dining, and majestic views at Shutters on the Beach or Hotel Casa Del Mar, both members of the Leading Hotels of the World. If your soul is seeking residential charm with worldly attributes, then Shutters on the Beach (One Pico Blvd.; 310.458.0030) resembles an impressive, nautically twisted shabby-chic beach cottage with inviting touches such as flower-covered trellises, cabana-striped awnings, and a notable artwork collection. Hotel Casa del Mar (1910 Ocean Way; 310.581.5533) is a historic 1920s manor for the elite with traditional opulence and stately accommodations.

Malibu’s Blue & Green

Beach Clubs

You’ll find the most powerfully connected social and power elite at the nation’s top-secret societies. Here three-martini lunches and aristocracy rule. For the privileged few who gain access into the members- and by invitation-only beach clubs of the West Coast, more than bragging rights are at stake. L.A.’s finest form these hush-hush enclaves. Lawyers, hedge fund titans, and politicians of status are granted private access to networking, world-class service, and breathtaking ocean views.

Work on your backhand and catch the most spectacular red-gold sunsets at Bel-Air Bay Club (16801 Pacific Coast Highway; 310.230.4700) in Pacific Palisades overlooking Santa Monica Bay and Catalina Island. Neighboring its plush manicured lawns is The Jonathan Beach Club (850 Palisades Beach Rd.; 310.393.9245), where the well-bred mingle behind legendary walls. Leave your flip-flops and denim at home, this is the place to seen, and accordingly, a strict dress code stands. Embrace frivolity at The Beach Club in Santa Monica (201 Palisades Beach Rd.; 310.395.3254) where Gatsby types ponder decisions of influence and cut deals over cigars and Scotch.

Golfing

If you would rather talk about the green on the golf course, you’ll want to check out the championship course, drive range, and immaculate clubhouse at Sherwood Country Club (320 W. Stafford Rd.; 805.496.4946) in Thousand Oaks. Known as one of the most prestigious venues in the country set against the Santa Monica Mountains, the club’s 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course is as private as the beach clubs above, so you’ll want to snag a membership.