Remote Surveillance Trailer in Malibu, CA

Set along 21 miles of Pacific coastline just northwest of Santa Monica, Malibu has long been shorthand for the Southern California dream: rugged bluffs, legendary surf breaks, and beach houses perched above the sand. But beyond the celebrity lore, the area reveals a quieter side, with local farmers markets, casual seafood shacks, small coastal wineries, and tucked-away canyon shops that reward slow afternoons of exploring.

The relatively small number of hotels helps Malibu maintain its air of exclusivity, and the stays that do exist tend to cater to a design-minded, well-traveled crowd. While the Palisades Fire has affected parts of the region, many areas of Malibu remain open, with beaches, restaurants, and hotels continuing to welcome visitors—and supporting these local businesses is one of the best ways travelers can help the community recover. Whether you’re planning a laid-back coastal escape from Los Angeles or a scenic drive along Pacific Coast Highway, these are the best hotels in Malibu.

Our top picks:

Best for a romantic getaway: Nobu Ryokan MalibuBest for families: Calamigos Ranch Resort & SpaBest for beach access: The Surfrider MalibuBest for fitness lovers: The Ranch Malibu

Hotel June Malibu is a 13-room boutique hotel perched at the northern edge of Malibu, offering a minimalistic yet stylish coastal escape. The rooms are thoughtfully curated with king-sized Casper mattresses, walk-in showers with Aesop amenities, private patios, and locally-sourced decor. Some rooms include bunk beds for families, and many feature bathtubs for indulgent moments. While there’s no full-service restaurant, mornings mean coffee, tea, and local pastries in the lobby, and mini fridges stocked with sodas, Topo Chico, and snacks cover cravings anytime. You can always bring food back to eat on the large private patios, which are also great for catching up on work or casual card games in the sun. Located near beaches, hiking trails, and the Pacific Coast Highway, the hotel offers Linus bikes and surfboards on a first-come, first-served basis, though you'll want to bring a car if exploring is on your itinerary. —Samantha Leal

To book a stay at this impeccably designed escape, guests must send an inquiry through the website—a sign of just how exclusive it is. The reward is an extremely private getaway with a relaxing, neutral design. A 1950s-era beach motel was transformed to create this serene escape, which opened in April 2017, and it's now a study in high-design restraint. Guests enter a near-hidden doorway into a courtyard that looks out onto the ocean, which leads to a beautiful garden. Serenity rules in each of the individually designed suites and five oceanfront bungalows, where you'll find lots of teak, bronze, and limestone, plus Japanese elements like shoji screens and tatami mats. Room service comes courtesy of Nobu’s restaurant—and guests who prefer dining in get first dibs on reservations. —B.P.K.

The Ranch Malibu is a results-driven wellness retreat set on 200 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains, designed for adults seeking an intense reset rather than a traditional vacation. Guests follow a structured schedule of daily guided hikes, fitness and movement classes, plant-forward meals, and restorative therapies, all aimed at physical transformation. The property has 21 private cottages, each simple, calming, and tech-free, promoting deep rest and focus. Communal dining emphasizes organic, locally sourced produce, and every guest gets a massage for each full day they are on the property. Service is low-key but practical, with staff supporting both wellness programming and basic logistics like airport pickups. The retreat isn’t child-friendly or nightlife-focused; instead, it attracts health-conscious adults and repeat visitors committed to structured immersion. Located away from beaches and shops, The Ranch offers a secluded, distraction-free environment where eco-conscious practices and regenerative gardens enhance the experience, making it one of the most focused wellness destinations in the US. —S.L.

FAQ:

Yes—most hotels, shops, and restaurants are open following the 2025 wildfires. The Pacific Coast Highway is fully reopened, and while some areas are still rebuilding, visitors can safely enjoy beaches, trails, and local attractions.

One of the most coveted areas in Malibu is Carbon Beach, often nicknamed “Billionaire’s Beach” thanks to its stretch of private oceanfront homes and luxury properties right on the sand. It’s close to shops, restaurants, and the Malibu Pier, making it both scenic and convenient. Another highly regarded area is Point Dume, known for dramatic bluffs, scenic ocean views, and a quieter, more residential feel. Both are some of the most desirable parts of Malibu to visit or stay in.

Celebrities in Malibu gravitate toward luxury beachfront areas like Carbon Beach and nearby high‑end hotels such as Malibu Beach Inn or Nobu Ryokan Malibu—locations that offer privacy, direct ocean access, and a celebrity‑friendly scene. Many stars also own homes along this stretch, meaning it’s not unusual to see A‑listers on the sand or dining at hot spots like Nobu Malibu.

One of the most talked‑about beaches is Zuma Beach—a wide open, classic Southern California beach with plenty of space for sunbathing, walking, and surfing. It’s consistently ranked as a top beach for a full day of sun and sand by visitors and travel guides. Other favorites, depending on vibe, include Point Dume Beach for scenery and Surfrider Beach near the Malibu Pier for surfing and people‑watching.

Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We’re always looking for beautiful design, a great location and warm service–as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve.

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting from Krista Simmons.

City of Malibu Files Legal Action to Protect Taxpayers and Community Resources

(Malibu, CA) — February 18, 2026. The City of Malibu has filed a civil complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court seeking to recover significant financial losses sustained as a result of the Palisades Fire. The action reflects the City’s responsibility to protect public funds and address the substantial impacts the fire had on residents, businesses, infrastructure, and natural resources.

The lawsuit names multiple governmental entities, including the State of California, the City of Los Angeles, and related agencies. The City’s decision to pursue legal action follows extensive evaluation of the damages incurred and the long-term fiscal implications for Malibu and its taxpayers.

“This decision was not made lightly,” said Mayor Bruce Silverstein. “The City has an obligation to act in the best interests of our residents and taxpayers. The lawsuit seeks accountability for the extraordinary losses suffered by our community while recognizing that Malibu must continue to work collaboratively with our regional partners going forward.”

The Palisades Fire caused widespread destruction throughout Malibu, including the loss of homes, businesses, public facilities, and critical infrastructure. The City also experienced damage to roads, stormwater systems, public buildings, and open-space lands, as well as significant disruption to tourism, employment, and local revenue.

The complaint alleges that a series of failures related to dangerous fire conditions, inspection, and emergency preparedness contributed to the scope and severity of the damage. Through this action, the City seeks to recover costs associated with emergency response, infrastructure repair, environmental restoration, and lost revenues.

The City emphasizes that filing this lawsuit does not alter its commitment to regional cooperation, wildfire preparedness, and rebuilding efforts. Malibu remains focused on recovery, resilience, and protecting the long-term health and safety of the community.

The full complaint is available here: https://malibucity.org/DocumentCenter/View/37305/City-of-Malibu-Legal-Action-Palisades-Fire-Losses-…

LOS ANGELES — The city of Malibu sued the state and the city and county of Los Angeles and other entities on Wednesday, accusing them of various failures that led to the start and proliferation of the Palisades fire that destroyed hundreds of Malibu homes along with municipal facilities and infrastructure.

“This decision was not made lightly,” Malibu Mayor Bruce Silverstein said in a written statement announcing the lawsuit. “The city has an obligation to act in the best interests of our residents and taxpayers. The lawsuit seeks accountability for the extraordinary losses suffered by our community while recognizing that Malibu must continue to work collaboratively with our regional partners going forward.”

The lawsuit contends that the Palisades fire, which erupted Jan. 7, 2025, in what investigators contend was a flare-up of a blaze known as the Lachman fire that began a week earlier, killed at least six Malibu residents and destroyed 700 homes and dozens of businesses in the city.

The fire left the city “devoid of the vibrant community it once enjoyed,” the lawsuit contends. “Indeed, to date — more than one year after the Palisades fire — the city of Malibu is still reeling from the destruction it left in its wake: a hollowed out community, burned and destroyed buildings and homes, a shrinking tax base, emotionally and physically scarred citizens, and untold environmental damage.”

The suit accuses the state Department of Parks and Recreation of negligently maintaining dangerous conditions on state-owned land where the Lachman fire originally began and continued smoldering until Santa Ana winds caused it to explode into the massive Palisades fire.

The lawsuit also levels a series of accusations against the city of Los Angeles and its Department of Water and Power.

“The Palisades fire was also the foreseeable and proximate result of conscious and deliberate policy decisions by the city of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to leave reservoirs empty for over a year, fail to provide for the maintenance of essential firefighting infrastructure, and adopt a cost-saving approach that shifted risk onto surrounding communities, including Plaintiff.”

The Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. City officials said they are hoping to recover costs associated with the emergency response, infrastructure repair, environmental restoration and lost revenues.

One of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history, the Palisades fire burned 23,448 acres and destroyed much of the exclusive Pacific Palisades community, destroying about 6,800 structures and killing 12 people.