Check Out The Surfrider, Malibu
The most exquisite beach house on the Pacific Coast Highway
There is something undeniably magical about Malibu. The welcome sign says 21 miles of scenic beauty, and it’s not wrong. I have twice seen a pod of dolphins, as well as a seal frolicking in the surf, and some of the most iconic sunsets of my life; it’s a dream.
The Surfrider sits on the Pacific Coast Highway, almost directly opposite the infamous Malibu Pier, overlooking Surfrider Beach, which allegedly: “is the place to go for the ideal Southern California surfing experience”.1 As a non-surfer, at least on this trip, I can’t vouch for this but I can say that it was very enjoyable to be immersed in the culture for 48 hours.
While it is a far more sumptuous beach house than a typical motel, the layout across two floors, the neon sign and the location just off the highway give The Surfrider a golden-aged, typical American feel.
The notes of warm and welcoming luxury, however, come from the consideration and thoughtful touches for guests. As you enter your room you are greeted with the most incredible scent (they light one of their candles for your arrival - I ended up buying ours, so it makes for effective marketing too).
There are coffee table books on hand (surf-related, of course), Parachute linen robes and Grown Alchemist toiletries in the handsome stone bathroom that instantly make you feel at home.
Once you have settled into your room, you’re invited to make your way up to the guest-only Roof Deck Bar and Restaurant. The incredible terrace is embedded into the hill and offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Irresistibly deep, comfy-looking sofas surround fire pits and the menu celebrates fresh and organic local Californian produce (they list the local farmers they support on their site).
The set-up is, quite honestly, heavenly. It is the perfect place to watch the surfers by day and onto sunset with fun and original cocktails, the freshest guacamole and plenty of cosy throws should it get cold.
The whole hotel is full of these pleasing touches. Being a beach house, albeit a particularly fancy one, everything is thought of for any beach-front / surf-related activity. Guests are encouraged to take the enormous, fluffy beach towels, umbrellas and even sunscreen, should they need it. While surfers can rent and/or store wet suits, surf and paddle boards onsite.
The heated outdoor shower outside the reception, with toiletries, notably, adds a particularly luxurious conclusion to a sandy beach day and leaves you free to head straight up to the roof deck for a drink (no shoes necessary).
The biggest and most exciting feature, at least for me, was the complimentary use of two electric Minis. Guests were actively encouraged to take these out but, presumably, most people were busy surfing as they were readily available when we wanted.
The staff were well equipped for local recommendations. Responding to our brief on our second night (dinner with a fantastic sunset view) we were pointed in the direction of Geoffrey’s.
Formerly a hotel, Holiday House, that was frequented by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe, it was turned into a restaurant in 1983. Deliberately re-designed so that every table has a panoramic view of the ocean, Geoffrey’s is a truly spectacular place, “one in which there were no boundaries between the restaurant and the splendor in which it was surrounded”.
Another tip, again for a fabulous sunset view, was to head to The Sunset Restaurant (apt) on Zuma Beach. The unassuming beach hut building housed a vibrant bar offering some particularly impressive (read: strong) cocktails and insanely good-looking food.
The bar itself is inside-only but if you can get close to a window you have a front-row seat to one of the best sunset viewing spots I’ve come across. If this isn’t an option (it gets busy) just head out front and soak in the view.
Stayed 2019.
https://beaches.lacounty.gov/malibu-surfrider-beach/