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Malibu

Malibu History

   In 1802, Spanish settler Jose Bartoleme Tapia established a ranch in Malibu Canyon. The land became known as the Rancho Topanga Malibu Simi Sequit. Nearly 90 years later, the land was sold to Frederick Hastings Rindge, a wealthy New Englander seeking an ideal home for his family. The Rindge family remained on the property until the late 1920s, when Rindge's widow, May, was forced to sell the land to the state of California for construction of the Pacific Coast Highway.
   Over the years, several movie stars took up residence in Malibu, including Clara Bow, Gary Cooper, Bing Crosby and Gloria Swanson. The tradition continues today, with scores of celebrities living in the hills or near the shore at Malibu.
   Malibu is blessed with beautiful beaches, secluded canyons and mountain vistas. The variety of landscapes lure many film crews to the area, including the producers of "Gidget," "M*A*S*H" and even TV's "Baywatch." Keep your eyes open, and you may spot a few stars yourself!

Activities

   Malibu is an art lover's paradise. The city is home to the original J. Paul Getty Museum, now known as the J. Paul Getty Villa, which houses an extensive collection of Greek and Roman artwork within a re-created Roman villa. (The new Getty Center is located at 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles). Other attractions include the Adamson House and Malibu Lagoon Museum, the Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University, the Malibu Arts Festival, and the Malibu Film Festival.
   Malibu offers several municipal, state and national parks, including Leo Carrillo State Park, Malibu Creek State Park, Solstice Canyon Park and the Santa Monica Mountains. And no trip to Malibu would be complete without a visit to one of the area's pristine beaches.
   There are many fine restaurants and shops in the city, many of which cater to an upscale clientele. But don't be intimidated -- Malibu's beautiful shores welcome everyone.

Malibu Fast Facts

   Location: Malibu is located about 15 miles west of Santa Monica and 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles
  *Total area: 100.96 square miles (81.09 square miles land area; 19.87 square miles water area)
  *Population: 12,575
  *Housing units: 6,126
   Average annual rainfall: 13.45 inches
   Average temperatures: 67ºF in summer, 57ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

   There are several schools in Malibu, including:

• Juan Cabrillo, Webster and Point Dume elementary schools
• Malibu High School
• Pepperdine University

Beaches

   There are dozens of public and private beaches in Malibu. Some of the most popular public beaches include:

• Topanga State Beach: Pacific Coast Highway at Topanga Canyon Boulevard
• Malibu Lagoon, Surfrider Beach and Malibu Pier: 23000 block of PCH
• Dan Blocker Beach (aka Corral Beach): 26000 block of PCH, between Puerco Canyon and Corral Canyon
• Point Dume State Beach: 7103 Westward Beach Road, off PCH
• Zuma Beach: 30000 block of PCH, west of Heathercliff Drive
• Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beaches: three beaches (El Matador, La Piedra & El Pescador) beginning at 32000 PCH, heading north
• Nicholas Canyon Beach: 33850 PCH

   Public access to other beaches is marked along the highway for your convenience.

Maps of Malibu

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