Malibu: The Perfect Place for a Staycation

When a good friend recently asked me if I wanted to get out of town for a few days, I jumped at the chance to invite her to Malibu instead. Coming from San Jose, the idea of endless coastline, scenic hikes and beachfront restaurants definitely appealed to her -- and for me, it was a perfect excuse to play tourist for a few days and do all the things I wish I could do every day (why does work always get in the way?!). So it was decided and Liz hit the road, ending her six-hour drive with our 27 miles of scenic Malibu beauty.

What to do, what to do? So many options, so little time! Having had friends visit before, I know the hardest part about vacationing here is just fitting it all in -- with Malibu, comes the addition of options in neighboring towns like Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica. And I always try to make each trip unique for every visitor. Luckily, Liz had left me with a “Malibu, Round 2” list, so we wasted no time making progress on this visit’s “must-dos.”

DINE

In my opinion, the perfect way to unwind after a long drive is to belly up to the bar at Duke’s (shocker). In recent months, I’ve become a big fan of the sashimi lunch option, so we made it two and added in a couple of Bloody Marys for good measure. I don’t think we were even finished eating before conversation turned to, “What’s for dinner?”, and I was excited to share I had already made reservations at Cafe Habana -- the perfect spot for casual dining, great food and friendly ambiance.

Future meals that would follow included a delicious breakfast at Cafe Vida in the Palisades and a celebratory dinner at the Chart House on PCH. I actually haven’t written about the Chart House yet, but I must say, its convenience to my house, great happy hour menu, and ocean views is quickly moving it up on the list for favorite spots in the ‘Bu. Our experience this time centered around champagne toasts, memorable dishes and a ton of laughs so once again, the Chart House did not disappoint.

The truth is, you would have to visit for a month to even make a dent in the amazing list of restaurants up and down our coast. Thankfully, this wasn’t Liz’s first trip (her last visit included an unforgettable meal at Nobu) and certainly won’t be her last. Reel Inn, Moonshadows, Cholada Thai and The Hungry Cat all top the list for next time!

DO

I love when Liz comes to visit because she’s always up for doing anything. It’s hard to waste a single minute sitting inside, so after our first lunch at Duke’s, we made our way to the Country Mart for a little shopping -- no staycation of mine is complete without a little retail therapy.

Over the next few days, we enjoyed beers on the patio, waves at the beach, and walking the streets of Palisades. But one of my favorite outings was our beach walk on the path that stretches from the Santa Monica pier to the Jonathan Club. I’ve certainly walked this path before, but never had I stopped at Perry’s Cafe along the way. These open air cafes offer outdoor seating, great eats and drinks, and for those feeling more adventurous, beach and bike rentals. We opted for iced coffees and Adirondack chairs -- inclusive of fantastic people watching -- before heading back for a little more beach action.

They say all good things must come to an end, and our staycation was no different. We had a fabulous few days filled with delicious food, fun cocktails and perfect weather. I only wish we had been able to fit in a little wine tasting at Rosenthal -- but all the more reason to start “Malibu, Round 3.”

Whether your ideal vacation involves hiking, paddle boarding, relaxing, shopping or dining, you’ll find it all in Malibu. Cheers to living in the best place in California...and until next time, Liz!