By: Nina Ruggiero Curtis

“We’re still standing,” yoga instructor and personal trainer Tae Bond said to me as we held a tree pose on Malibu’s Carbon Beach, gazing out at the water. It was a blue-sky morning in early March, and the waves were breaking just steps from our mats, the iconic Malibu Pier stretching proudly into the Pacific beside us. 

In an alternate reality, she could have simply been referring to our yoga practice — balancing in tilted sand isn’t easy — but while the beloved beach town appeared picture-perfect from our perch outside Malibu Beach Inn, we both knew she was making a much heavier statement. 

It was just about two miles south of us that the Palisades Fire caused devastation two months prior, and the community was — and is — still reeling. But they’re certainly not giving up on their slice of paradise. 

“Malibu will come back,” Bond continued. “We are very resilient. How could you not rebuild around this beautiful ocean? It’s stressful when you’ve lost everything that you’ve ever owned, but it’s not the end of the world. It’s an opportunity to build again.”

About nine miles of Pacific Coast Highway remain closed, from Will Rogers Beach State Park up to the beginning of Carbon Beach, blocking a major artery into the heart of Malibu right now from the south and greatly impacting local businesses, most of which are open but suffering from a lack of foot traffic. The coastal route down to Malibu Beach Inn from the north is unobstructed, however, as are alternate routes from the south. 

“A lot of people think the iconic Pacific Coast Highway is the only way in and out of Malibu, and with that being closed off they think it’s inaccessible, but it’s not,” Oscar Diosdado, director of sales at Malibu Beach Inn, said, adding that making the effort to visit is the best way to aid in the area’s revitalization. “Anybody who makes the journey to come around to Malibu now is a very special person in supporting the local community to thrive and helping businesses stay afloat,” he said. 

John Kozlowski, who owns Sea N Soul Surf and offers surf lessons and kayak rentals to guests of Malibu Beach Inn, agreed. “We just need people to know we are still here, and the beaches are as beautiful as ever,” he said. “Please come to Malibu, eat at a local restaurant, and shop at a local store.”

From our home in the South Bay of Los Angeles, my husband and I took the I-405 N to the 101, arriving via Malibu Canyon Road. It wasn’t the oceanfront drive we were used to, but we found the dramatic canyons to be equally picturesque, and passing through them to enter Malibu felt symbolic. The Santa Monica Mountains have been through many fires, and not only are they still standing, but in spite of their scars they’ve come back greener and more vibrant than before.

“The real Malibu isn’t just the beachfront restaurants or the celebrity sightings,” Michael McCauley, a longtime fixture in the Malibu community who lost his home in the Palisades Fire, told me. In the aftermath, he hasn’t paused running the restorative Cure spa and wellness center with his wife, Dr. Lisa Benya, across from Malibu Beach Inn. “It’s the hidden hiking trails, the small community events, the locals who have been here for decades and have stories to tell. If visitors take the time to slow down, explore, and connect with the people here, they’ll see Malibu is so much deeper than just a quick getaway. It’s a lifestyle, a mindset, and for those who really embrace it, it’s a place that stays with you.”

As Diosdado reminded me upon check-in at Malibu Beach Inn, a visit to Malibu is about finding your own magic — and while that might look different for everyone, there truly is beauty around every corner. Here is my guide to a breezy weekend trip, though my best piece of advice is to stay longer if you can.

Saturday

10 a.m.: Arrive at Malibu Beach Inn and hit the surf.

Like many of the grandest homes along the coast, Malibu Beach Inn’s facade is unassuming as you turn off Pacific Coast Highway, but as you step inside, all you see is blue. Its direct ocean access — including its own private stretch of Carbon Beach — will lure you straight into the waves, so you’ll want to have a kayak from Sea N Soul waiting for you upon arrival. Simply call the hotel concierge to have it prearranged, and get ready to paddle out toward Malibu Pier and all the way to the famous Surfrider Beach. You may spot dolphins, and you’ll definitely spot surfers.

12 p.m.: Have lunch the SoCal way. 

After working up an appetite, grab a sushi or lobster burrito at Howdy’s Sonrisa Cafe, a popular spot in the nearby Malibu Park shopping center that manages to serve quick and easy meals that are still fresh and healthy — in the way only California coastal cuisine can. Wash it down with your pick from a refreshing selection of fruity aguas frescas. 

1 p.m.: Relax at the spa.

Malibu Beach Inn guests seeking a spa treatment and more have access to Cure, located across the street. A sanctuary for physical and mental rejuvenation built by husband and wife team McCauley and Benya, “Cure isn’t just about relaxation — it’s about real, lasting wellness,” McCauley explained. “We combine high-end regenerative medicine, longevity treatments, and holistic healing with a personalized approach.”

3 p.m.: Walk the beach.

Now more than ever, there is something special about feeling Malibu sand between your toes. Slow down and take in the scenery, walking from Malibu Beach Inn to Malibu Pier. You’ll likely make a new friend, or at least exchange smiles with a friendly local or happy fellow traveler, along the way. Let the good vibes lead you to The Malibu Cabana and Ranch at the Pier, where Alice Bamford and Ann Eysenring have brought the California dream to life with perfectly curated beachwear and seaside accessories. 

6 p.m.: Soak in the sunset over a romantic dinner at Carbon Beach Club.

Snag a table on the deck at Carbon Beach Club before the sun starts to set and by the time the horizon turns deep orange, you’ll be primed and ready for the show, tucking into a seafood tower and a spicy margarita. Stay put and linger over a long dinner under the stars, sharing a grilled avocado with tunisian relish and burrata with Gjusta sourdough before digging into a hearty plate of paella, osso buco, or whole branzino a la plancha for two. “We try to make sure everything is locally sourced, from the protein to the produce,” Diosdado told me. “Our chef, Joshua Balague, likes to blend Mediterranean with Pacific flavors and also incorporate a little bit of his Filipino cultural flair.”

9 p.m.: Delight in boardgames before bed.

Malibu Beach Inn’s 47 rooms are warm and inviting, designed by LA-based interior designer Waldo Fernandez with wooden accents, fireplaces, stylish alcove mini-bars, and balconies that make the most of the ocean view. To put it simply, they’re rooms you’ll want to spend time in. The best way to do that is by cranking the fire, opening a bottle of wine, and playing a board game — there’s one thoughtfully placed in each room, and more options waiting at the front desk. After some healthy competition, wind down and fall asleep to the soothing sound of crashing waves just outside your window.

Sunday 

8 a.m.: Grab a coffee and an Instagram photo.

A pleasant, 8-mile drive up Pacific Coast Highway in Point Dume Village, Le Cafe de la Plage is a charming spot to grab an inventive latte (think: rose, lavender-honey, orange mocha, or French toast) before snapping a selfie in front of its colorful flower wall. It’s the most cheerful — and Instagram-worthy — spot to start your day. 

9 a.m. Practice yoga on the beach.

Ask the Malibu Beach Inn concierge to reserve a beachfront yoga lesson with Tae Bond, who will guide you through gentle movement with a positive mindset, right along the shoreline. There’s no place more beautiful in Southern California to lay your mat and set your intentions. “Yoga keeps you centered and in a state of calm,” Bond said. “It gives you clarity.”

11 a.m. Head out for a hike.

Malibu is known for its stunning hikes, and Diosdado says Solstice Canyon is the place to start. The 3-mile Solstice Canyon Loop takes about an hour and a half to complete and offers a mix of Malibu’s greatest hits: sweeping ocean views, hillside walks surrounded by vegetation, rock formations, ruins, and even a waterfall. Be sure to bring water and proper footwear. 

1 p.m. Enjoy a healthy lunch.

In Malibu County Mart since 1975, first as a fruit stand, John’s Garden is a casual, healthy spot for lunch. It serves great salads with a wide range of flavors, from Greek and Italian to Chinese, plus soups, sandwiches, wraps, and bowls. Add a fresh fruit juice or smoothie, or treat yourself to a real date milk shake, a California favorite.

2 p.m. Shop local.

Once you finish lunch, you’ll want to explore the rest of Malibu Country Mart. The outdoor shopping and lifestyle center is jam-packed with stylish boutiques, including Malibu-born businesses. Stop at Bleusalt for quietly luxurious basics made sustainably in the U.S.; Nomad Malibu for colorful beach coverups and more; Malibu Colony Co. for coastal-chic home decor and gifts; and Malibu Shaman for one-of-a-kind crystals.

6 p.m. Indulge in seaside nostalgia before hitting the road.

To end your weekend on a quintessentially Malibu note, head north to Neptune’s Net, a Highway 1 staple overlooking County Line Beach since the 1950s. Among tourists and locals, beachgoers and bikers, you’ll feel like you’ve taken a step back in time. Munch on a seafood basket at a picnic table and take in the view for one last sunset — until next time.