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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Field Notes • Places

Malibu, California

Malibu is a city and beach community in Los Angeles County, California, along the Pacific coast west-northwest of Santa Monica.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Malibu is a coastal city in Los Angeles County, California, known for its 21-mile shoreline, surf beaches, and celebrity residents.

What it is

Malibu is a beach community along the Pacific Ocean, west-northwest of Santa Monica. It sits where the Santa Monica Mountains meet the sea, giving it a dramatic coastal setting. The city was incorporated in 1991 and had a population of 10,654 as of 2020.

Why it matters

Malibu is a global symbol of Southern California beach culture and a longtime home to entertainment industry figures. Its beaches and surf breaks draw visitors worldwide, and it hosts Pepperdine University, a major private university.

Key details

The name Malibu comes from the Chumash settlement Umalibo and the Spanish land grant Rancho Topanga Malibu Sequit. Local attractions include Malibu Lagoon Museum and Malibu Creek State Park. The city is oriented around Pacific Coast Highway.

In short

  • Malibu is a coastal city in Los Angeles County with 21 miles of shoreline.
  • It is famous for surfing, beaches, and celebrity homes.
  • Pepperdine University is located in Malibu.
  • The city was incorporated in 1991.

Quick questions

What is Malibu?
Malibu is a city and beach community in Los Angeles County, California, on the Pacific coast.
What is Malibu known for?
It is known for its beaches, surfing, coastal scenery, and celebrity residents.
How long is Malibu’s coastline?
Malibu has about 21 miles (34 km) of coastline.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/place/Malibu-California
    Supports: Location, coastline, incorporation year, name origin, celebrity association, beaches, Pepperdine University, nearby attractions
  2. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malibu,_California
    Supports: Population in 2020, coastline length, Pacific Coast Highway location, nickname, geography
  3. Malibu.orghttps://www.malibu.org/history-of-malibu
    Supports: General local history, coastline length, visitor information, approximate resident population