Welcome to Malibu Park
Nestled inland from Zuma Beach and stretching across the rolling hills of western Malibu, Malibu Park is a rare blend of coastal beauty and pastoral tranquility. This spacious enclave offers a distinctly rural atmosphere while maintaining proximity to the Pacific Ocean, giving residents the best of both worlds—serene privacy and the quintessential Malibu coastal lifestyle. Unlike the tighter beachfront communities, Malibu Park is defined by its wide-open lots, equestrian properties, and panoramic views that sweep across canyons, mountains, and the shimmering coastline. With large estates tucked among vineyards, ranches, and orchards, the neighborhood has preserved an old-Malibu charm that feels both authentic and refined.
Why Live in Malibu Park?
Malibu Park attracts those who value space, nature, and understated luxury. Properties here are typically set on multiple acres, creating an uncommon sense of freedom and connection to the land. It’s a haven for equestrian enthusiasts, offering direct access to trails that link to the vast network of riding and hiking paths in Zuma Canyon and the Santa Monica Mountains. The air feels cleaner, the stars brighter, and the pace slower—yet you’re only minutes from Malibu High School, Trancas Country Market, and the beach.
Living in Malibu Park means waking up to ocean breezes and ending the day watching the sun dip behind the hills, often in near silence except for the sound of distant waves and rustling oaks. There’s a strong sense of community among residents who share a passion for outdoor living—surfing in the morning, riding horses in the afternoon, and gathering around fire pits by evening. For families, it offers an exceptional blend of natural beauty and top-rated schools; for creatives and professionals, it’s a peaceful retreat within reach of Los Angeles.
Malibu Park embodies what many imagine when they think of Malibu before the glamour—wide horizons, freedom of space, and a quiet intimacy with the land and sea.
Location & Accessibility
Malibu Park lies just inland from Zuma Beach, one of Malibu’s most iconic stretches of sand. The neighborhood extends north of Pacific Coast Highway between Bonsall Drive and Busch Drive, climbing gently into the coastal hills and foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. This elevated position provides many homes with sweeping ocean views while keeping them just minutes away from the shoreline. To the north, Malibu Park borders protected parklands and equestrian trails that connect directly to Zuma Canyon and the larger Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. To the south, it’s a short drive to the Pacific Coast Highway, linking residents to other Malibu communities such as Point Dume, Broad Beach, and central Malibu.
Getting Around: Commute & Transportation
Despite its rural, open-space atmosphere, Malibu Park is well connected. Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is the main artery for travel, running parallel to the ocean and offering direct routes to Santa Monica, the South Bay, and Ventura County. From Malibu Park, Santa Monica is roughly a 35–45 minute drive under normal traffic conditions, while Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village are about 30 minutes north via Kanan Dume Road.
Public transportation options are limited, as is typical for Malibu’s residential zones. The Metro 534 bus runs along PCH, connecting Malibu to Santa Monica and downtown Los Angeles, but most residents rely on private vehicles. Cyclists often use the scenic PCH or the quieter backroads that wind through Malibu Park’s hills. For those who travel frequently, LAX and Van Nuys Airport are both reachable in about an hour, depending on traffic.
Day-to-day living is convenient within Malibu Park itself—Trancas Country Market and Zuma Beach are minutes away, providing essentials, dining, and recreation. While Malibu Park feels worlds apart from the city, its accessibility through PCH and nearby canyon roads means that urban conveniences are always within reach.
Lifestyle & Community
Malibu Park radiates a relaxed, rural elegance—an uncommon mix of Malibu’s coastal sophistication and the rustic charm of country living. Wide, unpaved roads, expansive lots, and open skies give the area a laid-back, almost agrarian rhythm that contrasts sharply with the dense, high-profile beachfront scene. Horses graze in pastures, citrus trees line driveways, and ocean breezes sweep through canyons filled with native chaparral. Despite its tranquil environment, there’s an underlying refinement—residents care deeply about privacy, nature, and maintaining the area’s low-density character. Evenings are quiet, weekends revolve around outdoor activity, and the sense of community is built through shared appreciation for space, landscape, and self-sufficiency.
Who Lives Here: Demographics & Community Profile
Malibu Park attracts an eclectic yet tight-knit mix of residents—long-time Malibu families, equestrian enthusiasts, environmentalists, artists, and professionals seeking retreat from Los Angeles’ intensity. Many homeowners are drawn by the opportunity to own multi-acre estates, whether for ranching, vineyards, or modern architectural homes with panoramic views. The community tends to value sustainability and self-reliance, often integrating solar power, organic gardens, and local craftsmanship into daily life. It’s common to find families whose children attend Malibu High or Webster Elementary nearby, alongside retirees and creatives who work remotely or maintain studios on their properties. What unites them is a shared desire for privacy, open land, and a slower, more intentional pace of living.
Local Culture and Lifestyle Highlights
Life in Malibu Park unfolds outdoors. Residents surf at Zuma Beach in the morning, hike or ride horses through Zuma Canyon trails in the afternoon, and gather at Trancas Country Market for dinner or community events. Local culture emphasizes wellness and environmental stewardship—farm-to-table living, outdoor fitness, and mindful recreation are part of the daily rhythm. The community also participates in Malibu’s broader cultural calendar, from art exhibitions and farmers markets to ocean conservation events. Despite its secluded feel, Malibu Park has a warm, cooperative spirit; neighbors share equestrian trails, local produce, and a collective pride in preserving the land’s natural beauty. The lifestyle is simple but deeply connected—to nature, to community, and to the timeless rhythm of the coast.
Living in Malibu Park
Schools & Education
Malibu Park benefits from being within the highly regarded Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD). The area’s proximity to Malibu High School, located just south along Morning View Drive, makes it exceptionally convenient for families—students can often walk, bike, or drive a few minutes to campus. The school is known for strong academics, a robust arts program, and championship athletic teams. Juan Cabrillo Elementary School (now merged into Malibu Elementary) serves younger students and is similarly close. For families seeking private education, nearby options include Our Lady of Malibu School, Viewpoint School in Calabasas, and Loyola Marymount’s early programs within driving distance. Malibu’s emphasis on community and small class sizes ensures that students in Malibu Park grow up in a nurturing, tight-knit academic environment surrounded by natural beauty.
Parks & Outdoor Spaces
Outdoor living is at the heart of Malibu Park’s identity. The neighborhood borders Zuma Canyon Trailhead, offering direct access to miles of hiking, riding, and mountain-biking trails through the Santa Monica Mountains. Zuma Beach, one of California’s most famous and pristine beaches, lies just minutes away—ideal for surfing, swimming, volleyball, or sunset walks. Within Malibu Park itself, properties often include private riding arenas, orchards, and gardens, reinforcing the area’s deep connection to nature. The nearby Malibu Bluffs Park and Trancas Canyon Park provide playgrounds, sports fields, and scenic picnic areas, further enhancing the outdoor lifestyle residents cherish.
Shopping, Dining & Entertainment
While Malibu Park feels secluded, everyday conveniences are close at hand. Trancas Country Market, located at the base of the neighborhood along PCH, serves as the community’s hub. It offers gourmet groceries at Vintage Grocers, boutique retail, and beloved dining spots such as Kristy’s Village Café and Starbucks, all within a rustic coastal setting. For more variety, Malibu Country Mart and The Park at Cross Creek—just a short drive east—feature high-end shopping, farm-to-table dining, and weekend events. Residents enjoy a balance of simplicity and sophistication: casual coffee runs in the morning, upscale dining by evening, and the comfort of knowing everything essential is nearby yet never crowded.
Local Attractions & Things To Do
Living in Malibu Park means never running out of things to do outdoors. Locals frequent Zuma and Broad Beach for beach days, while the Malibu Equestrian Center offers lessons and boarding for horse lovers. Wine enthusiasts explore the Malibu Coast AVA, with nearby vineyards like Malibu Wines offering tastings against scenic backdrops. Nature lovers can spend weekends exploring Point Dume Nature Preserve, Leo Carrillo State Park, or hiking the Backbone Trail. Cultural experiences—concerts at The Getty Villa, art exhibits at Malibu Lumber Yard, or film nights at Malibu Civic Theater—add a touch of sophistication to the area’s leisure options.
Safety & Walkability
Malibu Park is known for its peaceful, low-crime environment. The spacious lots and natural buffers between homes contribute to a strong sense of privacy and security. While not traditionally “walkable” in an urban sense—due to its rural, spread-out layout—the area is ideal for walking, running, horseback riding, and biking within its network of quiet roads and trails. Neighbors often look out for one another, and the presence of local patrols and community awareness keeps the area safe and serene. For residents seeking both tranquility and freedom of movement, Malibu Park provides an unmatched balance of safety, nature, and open space.
Real Estate Market Insights
As of September 2025, Malibu Park’s real estate market shows a notable adjustment from the previous year. The median sale price stands at $4.3 million, marking a 42% decrease year-over-year, reflecting a shift toward a more balanced and opportunity-rich market. Despite the lower sale prices, the median price per square foot has increased by 29.1%, now reaching approximately $1,900, indicating continued demand for premium land, ocean views, and custom estate properties. Homes are spending an average of 101 days on the market, slightly faster than last year’s 109 days—suggesting that well-priced, high-quality listings are still attracting buyers.
Only three homes sold in September 2025, compared to four during the same month last year, underscoring Malibu Park’s limited housing inventory and exclusivity. The reduced transaction volume reflects the area’s niche appeal—large properties and multi-acre estates do not trade hands frequently, and when they do, they represent highly customized, high-value assets. Although prices have adjusted downward, these sales still represent the upper tier of Malibu’s inland luxury market, where privacy, acreage, and natural surroundings remain key drivers of value.
Types of Properties Available
Malibu Park’s housing stock is defined by spacious single-family estates, equestrian ranches, and custom luxury homes on large parcels of land—often ranging from one to five acres. Many properties feature private stables, riding arenas, guest houses, and resort-style amenities such as pools, tennis courts, and vineyards. Unlike central Malibu or beachfront communities, condominiums are virtually nonexistent here; the area’s zoning emphasizes open space and rural character. Architecturally, homes range from mid-century ranch styles to contemporary designs with glass walls that capture ocean or canyon views, appealing to buyers seeking both refinement and privacy.
Why Buy Property in Malibu Park
Malibu Park offers something increasingly rare in Southern California—true space and tranquility without sacrificing coastal proximity. The neighborhood’s rural zoning, natural beauty, and access to both the beach and mountain trails make it an enduring investment for those prioritizing lifestyle and long-term value. The current buyer’s market conditions, coupled with the recent price adjustments, create favorable opportunities to enter one of Malibu’s most desirable inland communities at a relative value. For equestrian enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those seeking an expansive estate within minutes of Zuma Beach, Malibu Park delivers unmatched potential for both personal enjoyment and long-term appreciation.
Factors to Consider When Buying in Malibu Park
- Wildfire exposure and insurance: Malibu Park borders chaparral and canyonlands. Verify historical burn maps, brush-clearance compliance, fire-hardening features, hydrant spacing, and evacuation routes via Busch, Bonsall, and Kanan. Confirm insurability, FAIR Plan needs, premiums, and any claims since the 2018 Woolsey Fire.
- Septic systems, not sewer: Most homes use on-site wastewater treatment. Order a full OWTS inspection, percolation data, tank age, leach field capacity, and setbacks from creeks and wells. Expansion plans often hinge on septic upgrade feasibility and County approvals.
- Coastal Development permitting: Remodels, additions, grading, and even some fences can trigger Coastal Development Permits under Malibu’s LCP. Budget time for biology, geology, drainage, and visual studies. Determine if the lot touches ESHA or riparian corridors that add constraints.
- Geology and slope stability: Hillside parcels can require detailed geotechnical work, deepened foundations, and drainage controls. Review landslide inventories, cut-and-fill history, and any recorded stabilization easements before you price improvements.
- View corridors and ridgeline rules: Ocean and canyon views drive value. Check recorded view easements, height limits, story poles from past projects, and ridgeline protections that restrict massing to preserve public and neighbor views.
- Water supply and irrigation: Confirm LA County Waterworks District 29 service, meter size, pressure, and moratorium history. Large parcels with orchards, vineyards, or arenas need reliable irrigation plans. Check drought restrictions and any private well permits.
- Power reliability and PSPS: Wind events can trigger SCE shutoffs. Evaluate backup generators, battery storage, transfer switches, and rooftop solar. Inspect surge protection for pumps, gates, and well or septic components.
- Equestrian use and trail access: Malibu Park is horse-friendly. Verify zoning for animal keeping, barn permits, manure management, arena lighting rules, and trailer access. Map bridle trail easements that cross or benefit the property.
- Microclimate and exposure: Elevations above Zuma get stronger afternoon winds, colder nights, and more fog intrusion. Walk the site late afternoon for wind, morning for marine layer, and evening for temperature drops that affect outdoor living.
- Noise and seasonal activity: Proximity to Zuma Beach brings summer traffic, event days, and weekend lifeguard or maintenance activity. Nighttime is quiet, but test drive routes on peak weekends to judge ingress and egress.
- Dark Sky compliance: Malibu’s lighting ordinance limits color temperature, lumen output, and fixture shielding. Budget to retrofit landscape and arena lighting and confirm timer and curfew requirements.
- Vegetation and protected trees: Native oak, sycamore, and riparian habitats trigger biological review. Brush clearance must meet Fire Department specs without violating habitat rules. Verify any prior tree removal permits and mitigation obligations.
- Access, driveways, and emergency standards: Hillside driveways need turnouts, grade limits, and hammerheads for apparatus access. Confirm gate widths, load limits for bridges or culverts, and winter storm drainage paths that may cross drive surfaces.
- Short-term rental rules: Malibu regulates STRs. If income matters, confirm current permits, caps, neighbor notification rules, and enforcement history. Some equestrian streets are particularly sensitive to rental traffic.
- Connectivity and services: Spectrum is the typical wired internet. Cell coverage can be spotty in canyons. Confirm options for Starlink, security patrols, parcel delivery routing, and school commute times to Malibu High on Morning View.
- Post-Woolsey rebuild status: Many properties were rebuilt or upgraded after 2018. Verify finaled permits, WUI materials, tempered glazing, ember-resistant vents, and Class A roofing. Rebuild credits or nonconformities can affect future additions.
- Drainage and storm resilience: Check FEMA flood maps for canyons, private culvert maintenance duties, and site swales. Poor drainage can undermine slopes, septic fields, and arena footing.
- Architecture and material performance: Salt air, sun, and wind punish finishes. Inspect window seals, deck hardware, exterior coatings, and pool equipment enclosures. Budget for marine-grade fixtures and corrosion-resistant fasteners.
- Lot lineage and recorded conditions: Rural parcels may carry antiquated CC&Rs, trail dedications, utility easements, or habitat set-asides. Pull the preliminary title and read every exception that touches use, height, or access.
- Future improvement feasibility: Before you bank on a pool, guest house, ADU, or barn expansion, model setbacks, OWTS clearances, slope constraints, and CDP triggers. In Malibu Park, feasibility drives value as much as existing square footage.
Who Is Malibu Park For?
Malibu Park is ideal for those who crave space, privacy, and a deeper connection to nature without sacrificing proximity to the coast. It appeals to families who value top-rated schools and safe, open surroundings; equestrian enthusiasts seeking direct trail access and acreage for horses; creatives and remote professionals drawn to the peace, views, and inspiration of the landscape; and investors or second-home buyers looking for long-term value in one of Malibu’s most scenic, low-density enclaves. It’s not for those who want walkable nightlife or compact luxury—it’s for those who measure wealth in sunlight, silence, and horizon. Malibu Park is for people who want to live expansively, breathe deeply, and feel genuinely part of Malibu’s natural rhythm.
