The Southern California coast is a thing of beauty, and the journey to get there can be too. This scenic Malibu drive winds gracefully through the mountains and down a gorgeous canyon to the sea. Unlike some other canyon roads in the vicinity, this drive is not full of scary, tight, winding curves that keep you from enjoying the scenery, and it leads to a perfectly picturesque park on a bluff over the Pacific. This scenic drive in Southern California will soon become your new favorite place to drive in all of Los Angeles!

There are many ways to get from the area near California’s famous Highway 101 to the beach in Malibu, but you will not regret this route that starts with a portion of the well-known Mulholland Highway and ends at the bottom of Malibu Canyon. If you are making the trip, this interactive map should come in handy.
Google Map data ©2023
Much of the Malibu drive in California is characterized by layers of mountain peaks, rolling hills, grassy lowlands, and foliage from chaparral to wildflowers. There are turnouts and vista points along the way which each have its own stunning view, including canyons, rocky hillsides, and even sneak peaks of the ocean.
Frank Barocio/Google Local
Keep your eyes out for wildlife if you pull over to take a look around. It is common to see deer and other animals in the fields.
The wild beauty of the rugged canyon changes through the rugged canyon and with the seasons.
Google Maps Image Capture: Jan 2023 ©2023 Google
As you come down the canyon, you will get glimpses of the gorgeous blue Pacific.
Google Maps Image capture: Oct 2022 ©2023 Google

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Toward the bottom of the canyon, you enter Malibu and the view opens up with the bright green rolling hills of Pepperdine University on the right and the coast straight ahead.
Google Maps Image Capture: Jan 2023 ©2023 Google
Malibu Canyon Drive leads out of the canyon, continues just past Pacific Coast Highway, and lands you at your destination, Malibu Bluffs Park.
24250 CA-1, Malibu, CA 90265, USA
Yaron Binder/Google Local
Overlooking the stunning Malibu shore, this pretty park has it all - baseball diamonds, grassy picnic areas, a playground, and restrooms.
Along the ocean-view edge of the park are walking paths, concrete picnic tables, and a whale-watching vista point with benches and scopes for getting a closer view.
Bosco Kim/Google Local
Almost any time of year, it is possible to see whales migrating along the coast of Southern California, whether it be grays and humpbacks from January to April, Blues and Finbacks from May to September, or Minke whales from October to December. You can also often see dolphins and California sea lions in the surf.
The views do not get any better than these from the top of the bluffs, but it may be hard to resist heading down one of the narrow paths to the sand.
Bosco Kim/Google Local
Stick around til the evening and catch one of those iconic Southern California sunsets to end your scenic day on a perfect note.
Edward Coscia/Google Local

Of all the scenic drives in SoCal, this one is one of our favorites! Surprisingly, few people come to Malibu Bluffs Park. Have you been there? We would love to know what you think and what your favorite route to Malibu is. Visit the Malibu Bluffs Park web page for visitor information. While you are in the area, you may want to check out this wonderful waterfront restaurant in Southern California nearby. And if you decide you want to spend more time in this gorgeous area, you can find great places to stay on Vrbo.

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Featured Addresses
Malibu Bluffs Park, 24250 CA-1, Malibu, CA 90265, USA