photo by yipper

Malibu, at the top of the bay twenty miles north of Santa Monica, is a whole other world, its beach-colony houses owned by those famous enough to need privacy and rich enough to afford it. It’s not all that impressive on arrival, however, with ramshackle surf shops, fast-food stands and real-estate agents scattered along PCH around the graceful Malibu Pier, 23000 PCH. Surfrider Beach here was the surfing capital of the world in the 1950s and early 1960s, as seen in the Beach Blanket Bingo movies of Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon (the surf is at its best in late summer). Just beyond is Malibu Lagoon State Park (daily 9am-7pm; parking $6), a nature reserve and bird refuge, and nearby is the Adamson House (daily 8am-sunset; $3), a stunning Spanish Colonial home, mixed with Moorish and Mission Revival elements, featuring opulent decor and colorful tilework.