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Malibu

Malibu was originally settled by Chumash Native Americans. They named it "Humaliwo" with the stress on the second syllable which means "the surf sounds loudly."

In 1542 Spanish explorer Juan Cabrillo was thought to have anchored at Malibu Lagoon, to stock up on fresh water from Malibu Creek. The Spanish turned the area into the Rancho Topanga Malibu Sequit land grant in 1802. The United States took over in 1848.

Pirates Cove was a popular destination for rumrunners during prohibition. Because of its seclusion, it evolved into a nude beach. Nude sunbathing is now illegal on all Los Angeles County beaches.

The Malibu Colony was one of the firs sections developed in 1929. It’s a gated community west of the Pacific Coast Highway that is popular with wealthy celebrities including movie stars.

The first working model of a laser was demonstrated by Dr. Theodore Maiman in 1960 in Malibu at what was then Hughes Research Laboratory

Surfrider Beach was home to “Gidget” and other surfing movies of the 1960s. Today the real life Gidget, Kathy Kohner-Zuckerman, works at Duke’s Malibu. The final scene of “Planet of the Apes,” with the buried full scale replica of the Statue of Liberty, was shot at Paradise Cove. Rockford’s mobile home in “The Rockford Files” was parked by the Paradise Cove Pier. Johnny Carson liked to joke that he wouldn’t retire until it snowed in Malibu. One winter it did in the hills. Carson soon left the “Tonight Show.”

Established in 1937 in south-central Los Angeles, Pepperdine University moved to its Malibu campus in 1972. The school was let outside the city limits at the university’s insistence, when Malibu was incorporated as a city in 1991.

Several ingredients contribute to Malibu’s frequent natural disasters, the steep terrain that collects water for vegetation growth and the seasonal dry Santa Ana winds that bake it, making it susceptible to any flame. In November 1993, more than 16,516 acres burned with three lives lost and 739 homes destroyed. Arson was blamed. When ground cover is destroyed mudslides follow. In 1994 a massive mudslide near Las Flores Canyon shut down the city’s main road, Pacific Coast Highway, for months.

Description of Malibu

Malibu is an affluent, beachfront city with a land area of 20 square miles. The city runs from Topanga Canyon to the east, the Santa Monica Mountains to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the south, and Ventura County to the west.

Most residents of Malibu’s 13,000 residents live near Pacific Coast Highway which is the city’s main artery. The population is 89% White, 6% Latino, 3% Asian, and less than 1% Black. The median household income is $138,000. The median age is 42. 59% of residents 25 and older have a four year degree.

Rentals in Malibu

Most of the rentals in Malibu are homes which can rent for thousands of dollars a month, especially those on the beach. There are some apartments for rent in the city. Only 28% of the residents are renters. One bedroom apartments begin at $1500.

Fun Things to do Malibu

The beaches are the main attraction in Malibu which include Surfrider Beach, Zuma Beach, Malibu State Beach and Topanga State Beach, Although the beaches in California are owned by the public below the mean high tide line, the California Coastal Commission constantly battles millionaire homeowners who want to restrict beach access to the ocean behind their homes.

Malibu Pier is for fishing and strolling. $10 million in renovations were completed in 2008.

Smothers Theatre of Pepperdine University's Theatrical Drama Department offers concerts, plays, musicals, opera, and dance

The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation area provides hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking with delightful ocean views. There is even a waterfall.

The Malibu Nautica Triathlon is held every September. It’s a half mile ocean swim, followed by an 18 mile bike ride finishing with a 4 mile run. The popular event is a charity fundraiser and attracts many celebrity competitors.

The Malibu Arts Festival is held on the last weekend in July each year.

The Malibu International Film Festival is held every year.