Things to Do in Malibu This Summer: A Local’s Guide
Summer in Malibu is best enjoyed with a loose plan: start early, choose a stretch of the coast and leave a little room for an unexpected beach stop or sunset.
Since Malibu stretches across more than 20 miles, planning your day around one area makes it easier to enjoy each stop without feeling rushed, especially on sunny weekends when PCH is busiest.
From beaches and canyon hikes to local restaurants, outdoor concerts and family activities, here are some of our favorite things to do in Malibu this summer.
Local Tips for Visiting Malibu in Summer
Leave early whenever possible. Beach parking and PCH traffic become noticeably more difficult by late morning on sunny weekends.
Check the tide before visiting tide pools or smaller coves. Malibu’s pocket beaches can lose much of their usable sand during higher tides.
Bring layers. A cool, gray morning can become a hot afternoon followed by a breezy evening near the water.
Most importantly, do not try to see all of Malibu in one day. Choose one section of the coast, leave time between plans and let the day unfold naturally.
Malibu Beaches, Hiking Trails and Scenic Walks
Spend the Morning at Zuma Beach, Westward Beach and Point Dume
For a classic Malibu beach day, it’s hard to beat Zuma Beach. Its wide stretch of sand, lifeguard coverage and extensive parking make it one of the easier beaches for families, groups and anyone arriving with chairs, umbrellas and more than a single beach bag.
Just around the corner, Westward Beach sits beneath the cliffs of Point Dume. The setting feels more tucked away, with dramatic views of the headlands and access to the trails leading through Point Dume Natural Preserve.
The walk to the top of Point Dume is relatively short, but the views stretch across Santa Monica Bay and west over Zuma Beach and the surrounding mountains. Keep an eye out for dolphins offshore and seasonal whale activity.
Parking near the top is extremely limited, so approaching from Westward Beach is often the more practical summer option. Afterward, stop at Point Dume Village for coffee, lunch or groceries.
Explore the Bonsall Trailhead
For a quieter side of Malibu, head inland from PCH into Bonsall Canyon. At the end of Bonsall Drive, the Bonsall Trailhead (also known as the Zuma Canyon Trailhead) opens onto the Zuma and Trancas Canyons trail network within the Santa Monica Mountains.
Routes range from relatively gentle canyon walks to longer climbs through coastal sage and open hillsides. The area is also popular with equestrians and feels remarkably removed from the beach traffic just a few minutes away.
Walk Malibu Pier and Watch the Surfers
Central Malibu offers several well-known landmarks within a relatively compact area. Begin at Malibu Lagoon, watch the surfers at Surfrider Beach and then walk onto Malibu Pier for a broader view of the coastline.
Malibu Farm offers both full-service and counter-service dining on the pier, making it an easy breakfast or lunch stop near the water. The pier also periodically hosts seasonal pop-ups, wellness gatherings and waterfront events.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Malibu This Summer
Explore the Tide Pools at Leo Carrillo
Leo Carrillo State Park is one of the best places near Malibu for a family low-tide adventure. Its coastline includes tide pools, reefs and coastal caves where children can look for crabs, sea anemones and other marine life.
Check the tide before visiting, wear shoes with good traction and remind your kids to observe without touching or disturbing wildlife. Conditions can change quickly around the rocks and coves, so parents should always keep an eye on the water.
Pair the tide pools with time at the beach or continue west to Neptune’s Net for lunch.
Climb the Giant Sand Dune at Point Mugu
Just beyond Malibu’s western edge, a massive sand dune rises beside PCH near Thornhill Broome Beach in Point Mugu State Park.
Climbing the dune is a workout, but kids will love scrambling up the steep sand and running back down. The top also offers sweeping views of the ocean and surrounding coastline.
Spend an Afternoon at Malibu Country Mart
Malibu Country Mart is an easy option when children need a break from the beach. Pick up lunch from one of the surrounding restaurants, spend time at the central playground and stop at Toy Crazy for games, books, puzzles and art supplies.
The grassy center functions as an informal community gathering space and makes this one of the more relaxed family stops in central Malibu.
Families spending more time in the area can also check the City of Malibu’s seasonal recreation schedule for swimming, surfing, tennis, soccer, skateboarding, creative classes and day camps. CineMalibu brings family-friendly outdoor movies to Malibu Bluffs Park during summer, while the Malibu Library offers rotating storytimes and children’s programs.
Schedules change from year to year, so check current listings when planning your visit.
Malibu Food, Markets and Beach Picnic Stops
Put Together a Beach Picnic at Vintage Grocers
One of the easiest western Malibu summer rituals is stopping at Vintage Grocers in Trancas Country Market before heading to Zuma Beach, Westward Beach or Broad Beach.
Build a picnic from the market’s poke, sushi, deli, salad and prepared-food counters. A great combo is a poke bowl, bag of Have’a Corn Chips and a smoothie or juice from Swaggy P’s, the juice and coffee counter.
Trancas Country Market also has casual restaurants, boutiques and a grassy lawn where the community gathers throughout the year.
Make the Drive to Neptune’s Net
Across from County Line Beach, Neptune’s Net is an old-school coastal landmark and a natural stop after surfing, hiking or exploring Leo Carrillo.
The atmosphere is casual and lively, with surfers, beachgoers, cyclists and motorcyclists sharing outdoor tables. Order fried seafood, steamed shellfish or a cold drink and enjoy one of the area’s most enduring roadside traditions.
Neptune’s Net is far from central Malibu, so it makes the most sense when paired with Leo Carrillo, County Line, Point Mugu or a drive through western Malibu.
Visit a Local Market or Farm Stand
The Malibu Farmers Market is an easy Sunday stop in the Civic Center area, with fresh produce, prepared foods and local vendors.
For a smaller neighborhood experience, Thorne Family Farm operates a seasonal Saturday farm stand in Bonsall Canyon with locally grown produce, baked goods and other rotating offerings. It feels more like a neighborhood gathering than a conventional farmers market and offers another glimpse of Malibu’s quieter agricultural side.
Stop by Surf Canyon and Casita Basqueria
Tucked off Cross Creek Road, Surf Canyon is a small creative enclave with ceramics, handmade goods, design studios and independent makers. Stop at Casita Basqueria for its daily sandwich drop, Basque specialty foods, burnt Basque cheesecake and curated home goods.
Live Music and Summer Events in Malibu
Listen to Live Music at Trancas Summer Nights
Trancas Summer Nights is one of western Malibu’s favorite warm-weather traditions. The outdoor concerts bring live music to the lawn at Trancas Country Market, creating an easy, family-friendly evening after the beach.
Bring a blanket or low chair, pick up dinner and drinks from Vintage Grocers and find a place on the grass. The atmosphere is informal and neighborhood-oriented, with children playing and friends gathering for the evening.
Dates and performers vary each season, so check the current schedule before heading over. You can view the Summer 2026 schedule HERE.
Catch a Show at Aviator Nation Dreamland or the Malibu Pier
Across from Malibu Pier, Aviator Nation Dreamland hosts intimate concerts, ticketed performances, pop-ups and community gatherings in a retro-inspired setting.
Malibu Pier also periodically holds seasonal music, wellness events and waterfront pop-ups. Check the Dreamland and pier calendars when planning a summer evening.
Take in a Tiny Porch Concert at Peter Strauss Ranch
For a smaller outdoor music experience, Tiny Porch Concerts presents a summer concert series at Peter Strauss Ranch, just over the mountains from Malibu in Agoura Hills.
Bring a blanket or low chair and settle in on the lawn for an evening of live music in the ranch’s open-air theater. The series runs from May through August, with dates and performers changing each year.
Check the Tiny Porch Concerts website for the current schedule and ticket information.
Newer Malibu Restaurants to Try This Summer
Malibu’s dining scene has welcomed several notable additions, particularly around Cross Creek.
Wally’s Malibu combines open-air dining with a gourmet market offering wine, cheeses, prepared foods and grab-and-go provisions.
Clark’s Oyster Bar is a lively option for oysters, seafood, cocktails and brunch in an indoor-outdoor setting.
For something more casual, Pura Vida serves smoothies, açaí bowls, salads, wraps, coffee and all-day breakfast.
In eastern Malibu, Prima Cantina offers Baja-inspired Mexican food, seafood, tacos and margaritas. Farther west, La Nena Cantina at Point Dume Village is an easy dinner or happy-hour stop after Zuma or Westward Beach.
How to Plan a Summer Day in Malibu
For a western Malibu day, begin with an early hike from the Bonsall Drive trailhead, followed by a few hours at Zuma Beach or Westward Beach. Stop at Vintage Grocers for lunch, explore Point Dume or the Leo Carrillo tide pools and finish with live music at Trancas when a concert is scheduled.
For a central Malibu day, start at Malibu Lagoon and Surfrider Beach, walk Malibu Pier and have breakfast or lunch at Malibu Farm. Spend the afternoon around Malibu Country Mart and Cross Creek before ending with an ocean-view walk at Malibu Bluffs or a show at Dreamland.
Experience Summer in Malibu
The best things to do in Malibu go well beyond the beach, especially during summer. but summer here is equally shaped by canyon trails, neighborhood markets, outdoor music and familiar local stops that become part of a weekly routine.
As longtime Malibu real estate professionals, we are always happy to share more about the neighborhoods, businesses and outdoor spaces that make this community so special.
Explore more Malibu community guides, homes and local real estate updates at malibuluxuryrealty.com.
The Grether Group | Compass
📧 grethergroup@compass.com
📞 (310) 230-5771
🌐 malibuluxuryrealty.com
DRE #01836632 | 02121282 | 02127780
