Malibu

Twenty-seven miles of coastline, where the mountains meet the sea in spectacular fashion.

Neighborhood Guide

Living in Malibu

Malibu is less a neighborhood than it is a state of mind. Stretching 27 miles along the Pacific Coast Highway from the Ventura County line to the eastern boundary near Topanga Canyon, Malibu encompasses an astonishing variety of landscapes and lifestyles -- from the intimate beach colonies of Carbon and La Costa to the expansive ranch estates of the Malibu hills, from the surfer culture of Zuma and Surfrider to the quiet seclusion of Point Dume.

Modern beachfront home on stilts with waves breaking on Malibu shore

The real estate here is among the most exclusive in the world. Beachfront properties along Broad Beach and Malibu Colony command prices that reflect their rarity -- there are simply very few places on earth where you can walk out your back door onto a private stretch of pristine sand. Inland, the properties grow even more dramatic: multi-acre estates with equestrian facilities, vineyard potential, and panoramic views that stretch from the Channel Islands to the Santa Monica Mountains.

Living in Malibu requires a certain disposition. The drive to the city takes time, and residents embrace that distance deliberately. Life here revolves around the ocean, the mountains, and the remarkable natural beauty that has drawn artists, surfers, and visionaries for over a century. The trade-off is a daily existence of extraordinary beauty and quiet that no other community in Los Angeles can offer. When you wake to the sound of waves and step outside to see dolphins playing in the surf, the commute becomes irrelevant.

$4.5M

Median Sale Price

$1,450

Price / Sq Ft

Avg Days on Market

+3.8%

Year-Over-Year

Market Activity

Active Listings: 88
Sold Last 90 Days: 29
List-to-Sale Ratio: 94.6%
Inventory (Months): 5.2

Schools & Financials

Elementary: Point Dume Elementary
Middle: Malibu Middle
High School: Malibu High

District: Santa Monica-Malibu USD
Zip Code: 90265
County: Los Angeles

Annual Tax (Median): $42,180
Tax Year: 2026
HOA (Typical): $0 – $500 / mo

The Lifestyle

What Makes Malibu Special

Dining & Entertainment

Malibu's dining scene is intimate and destination-worthy. Nobu Malibu remains one of the most coveted reservations on the coast, while Malibu Farm Pier Cafe offers organic, farm-driven cuisine on a pier overlooking Surfrider Beach. Broad Street Oyster Company has become a local favorite for its seafood shack charm and exceptional oysters. The Malibu Country Mart provides a collection of upscale shops and eateries -- including Taverna Tony and Mr. Chow -- in a relaxed open-air setting that is quintessentially Malibu.

Outdoor Activities

The outdoors is not an amenity in Malibu -- it is the entire point. Surfing at Surfrider Beach, hiking the Backbone Trail through the Santa Monica Mountains, horseback riding through canyons that open to ocean views, and kayaking to sea caves at Point Dume are all part of the rhythm of life here. Zuma Beach offers one of the widest stretches of sand in Los Angeles County, while El Matador State Beach provides dramatic rock formations and tide pools. For the more adventurous, paragliding from the ridges above Pacific Coast Highway offers a perspective on the coastline that words cannot capture.

Community Vibe

Malibu's community is tight-knit in ways that surprise newcomers. Despite its reputation as a celebrity enclave, the day-to-day life is remarkably grounded. Locals support the volunteer fire department, gather at the Malibu Library for readings and events, and rally around the school system with fierce devotion. The annual Malibu Chili Cook-Off and the surf competitions at First Point are community events in the truest sense. There is an unspoken code here: respect the land, respect the ocean, and respect your neighbors' privacy. It creates a community bound by shared values and an uncommon landscape.