Valentine’s Day in Malibu: A 48-Hour Escape
If you’re the romantic type and Valentine’s Day is looming brightly on your radar, you’ve probably begun pondering on how to make this year’s holiday extra special for your special someone.
Here’s an idea: whisk them away to the shores of Malibu for a dreamy couple’s getaway they won’t soon forget. Abounding with coastal beauty and adventures for two, the ‘Bu’s stage is set and awaiting the next chapter of your love story. Add the effortless ambiance of Malibu Beach Inn and your recipe for romance couldn’t be sweeter on this most amorous of occasions.
Between alluring local experiences, intimate dining, and dazzling Pacific sunsets, here’s your 48-hour itinerary for a perfect Southern California escape with your one-and-only.
Day 1
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After arriving at your oceanfront accommodations in the morning, there’s nothing wrong with slowing down and basking in the Pacific view for a while. Use your in-room binoculars to look for dolphins and far-off boats in the shimmering waves as you set the tone for the day ahead with chocolate-covered strawberries and chilled champagne (complimentary with the Romantic Retreat offer.)
When you’re ready to explore the area, grab a picnic lunch from Carbon Beach Club and head for Malibu Wine Safari at nearby Saddlerock Ranch. As its name suggests, this experience invites guests for an open-air tour of its 1000-acre exotic animal sanctuary as they sample a variety of wines from the on-site vineyard. Along with llamas, alpacas, camels, bison, and zebras, you’ll get up-close-and-personal with Stanley the Giraffe, the ranch’s beloved mascot (this experience is also built into the hotel’s Malibu Wine Safari Excursion package.)
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When you’re done with your immersive tour and tasting, make your way back to the coast to tuck your toes into the sand of some of West LA’s finest beaches as the two of you soak up an afternoon under the California sun. Malibu alone has 36 beaches to choose from, and while you can’t really go wrong, part of the area’s idyllic beauty is that each one of them is unique in personality. Come for the pristine white sands, magnificent rock formations, and ample opportunities to walk hand-in-hand as the waves come bubbling in across your feet. Stay for a spectacular pink and gold sunset of the caliber best shared with someone you love.
Because a few hours on the beach has been known to stimulate the odd sweet tooth, you may be wanting to make a pit stop to pick up a treat. Malibu’s sweetest spots will happily fix you up, but don’t indulge too much – you wouldn’t want to spoil dinner. Make a reservation at Nobu for an upscale sushi experience complete with impressive cocktails, a generous sake selection, and a swanky sea-facing patio.
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Return to discover your seaside hideaway transformed after turndown with waiting robes and slippers, flickering votives, and a crackling fireplace. Then unwind with a nightcap as you savor the soothing sea breeze on your guest room’s terrace, and ready yourself for a blissful night’s rest (leave the sliding door cracked to be lulled to sleep by an entrancing soundtrack of crashing waves.)
Day 2
When you rise and shine the following morning, kick off another day in Malibu with a yoga session on the private sands of Carbon Beach (complimentary for Malibu Beach Inn guests every day from 8 to 9am). If the two of you want to get out on the water for a few hours, rent a stand-up paddleboard from Malibu Surf Shack for a leisurely exploration of the coast, or opt for an hour-and-a-half couple’s surf lesson.
After you’ve worked up an appetite, make your way to Geoffrey’s Malibu, an iconic local restaurant with panoramic ocean views that was once a favorite rendezvous for John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe. Don’t miss its annual three-course Valentine’s Day brunch menu, complete with exquisite selections like the lobster cake benedict, chicken picatta, and pomegranate white chocolate mousse.
To work off your meal with a landlocked activity, check out one of the Malibu area’s most celebrated trailheads — offering everything from heart pounding hikes on coastal bluffs to tranquil mountain strolls in the Santa Monica Mountains. Add some vino to the mix by heading back to Malibu Wines for a guided hike through its stunning vineyards and private estate as you sip on the red and white fruits of its sunshine and terroir. Finish off the afternoon with a peaceful visit to the Malibu Hindu Temple, one of the region’s hidden gems which welcomes all to explore its inspiring ornate architecture and enduring Hindu traditions.
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Back at the hotel, step into Cure Daily Spa for a rejuvenating Swedish, deep tissue, reiki, or shiatsu massage in the Ocean View Couples room. When you emerge renewed and relaxed, drift next door to Carbon Beach Club in time for a delectable four-course Valentine’s Day dinner menu with offerings like Kusshi oyster, King Crab Louie, lamb loin T-bone, and raspberry shortcake — each expertly complemented with a glass of wine. Pair your intimate meal with an enchanting ocean ambiance by opting for a table on the restaurant’s glass-walled terrace, which seems to hover over the mesmerizing seascape below and beyond.
As nighttime blankets the ‘Bu with twinkling stars, venture outside for a whimsical beach walk or night hike complete with myriad opportunities to gaze into the heavens together (the hotel has five sterling spots across the area to recommend). After you revel under the moon and stars, meander back to your romantic respite at Malibu Beach Inn to complete your rejuvenating stay on the California coast.
