PERFECT WEEKEND GETAWAY IN MALIBU: Secrets from a Local
(Pictured left: Malibu Cafe at Calamigos Ranch)
PERFECT WEEKEND GETAWAY IN MALIBU:
Secrets from a Local
By Life of a Rock Star™
Contributor Natalie Klein
Follow @LifeofaRockStar on Twitter
Sometimes everyone needs a little vacation from all the craziness of everyday life and Malibu is the perfect place to escape for a weekend getaway. The weather is unbeatable, the beaches are beautiful and the atmosphere is relaxing yet adventurous. Here I’ll unveil some of the hidden local secrets that Malibu and the surrounding hills have to offer.
These two restaurants are a must for exploring Malibu and both have great gourmet food with environments you are sure to remember:
The Old Place Cornell
29983 Mulholland Hwy
Cornell (aka Agoura), CA 91301
Reservations and general info 818-706-9001
For hours, menu, contact and more info: http://www.oldplacecornell.com/
Located on Mulholland, snuggled into the Santa Monica Mountains is a rustic wood building that has served as a general store, post office and local bar throughout its 70 year history. Open Thursday and Friday nights and on the weekends for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. The Old place is currently an entirely unique restaurant with a warm welcoming spirit that transports you back to the times when it was a hang-out for Elvis and Steve McQueen--who was said to have “often worked behind the bar, pouring beer and wine and serving patrons”--as well as other old Hollywood stars.
Friend Trash Honey on Facebook
Michael Doll - Vocals
Kevin Larkins - Guitar, Vocals
Brian Narvy - Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Rock / Folk / Country / Blues
A new addition to the vibrant environment of the Old Place is the upcoming band ‘Trash Honey’, who hangs out and plays there acoustically on Friday and Saturday nights.
Food favorites: If you are coming for breakfast, the French toast is a must and if you are there for dinner, their savory steak is sure to satisfy.
Malibu Cafe at Calamigos Ranch
327 S. Latigo Canyon
Malibu, California 90265
Reservations and general info 818-540-2400
For hours, menu, contact and more info: http://themalibucafe.com/
The experience of dining at Malibu Café is unlike any other, as it is located right in Calamigos Ranch along Malibu Lake.
The Future of California Wine Culture
Northern California has always been known for its vineyards and picturesque wineries but in the past decade SoCal has been creating a wine culture of its own. Hidden in the hills just several miles inland from the Malibu coast, wineries have been popping up one by one. Many of them offer wine tasting and tours which make the perfect afternoon excursion.
My parents are wine enthusiasts and when I mentioned a Malibu getaway, they insisted I include their favorite wine tasting venues:
(Pictured left: Friends enjoying wine at Malibu Family Wines)
Cornell Winery and Tasting Room: Also in the historic Santa Monica Mountains, Cornell Winery and Tasting Room’s rustic charm and art-covered walls make it very inviting and a local favorite. Because it is not part of one specific vineyard, it offers a wide array of tastings from the Los Angeles and Central Coast areas. Combine this with dinner at the Old Place, Cornell’s next-door neighbor, for an awesome evening!
SIP Malibu: Right in the heart of Malibu Wine Country, you will find SIP, the home of Cielo Wines. Sit under the shade of big umbrellas on their cool grounds and enjoy sampling their estate-grown wines.
Malibu Family Wines: Semler and Saddlerock Wines come together to create this relaxing wine-tasting experience at Malibu Family Wines. Bring a blanket and some cheese and crackers for a great picnic while enjoying the Malibu originals. You might even see some celebs!
With the world-famous climate and amazing land and sea views, a trip to Malibu wouldn’t be complete without a few outdoor activities.
Stand-up paddle boarding is becoming more and more popular in Malibu because it is fairly easy to pick-up and it allows you to view the coastline from a totally different perspective. There are many places along the beach where anyone can rent a board and paddle out to explore the clear blue California waters. If you’re lucky, you just might see a few dolphins or seals! I love it because I can get a little exercise in, work on my tan while having an amazing view the whole time. Definitely something great to try out!
Another local treasure is the Point Dume hiking trail. It starts at famous Zuma beach and goes up and over the point with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, California coastline and on clear days Catalina Island. After about a half hour, you will find yourself at another beach that is secluded and perfect for picnics and watching the waves. Be sure to bring your camera because the scenery looks right off of a postcard and you will definitely want to remember this experience!
WE RECOMMEND:
Malibu Beach Inn
September, 2012
Restaurant Review by
@LifeofaRockStar
Editor, Nicole Hanratty
Malibu Beach Inn is the Place to Lunch in Malibu
Put me at a table against a glass partition that gives me an unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean and you have an instant fan. While the company was paramount, Malibu Beach Inn is the type of restaurant I could relax at all day long even if I was alone. The waves crash underneath you and the sun warms your soul. Malibu weather in the middle of September is unbeatable and an afternoon at this friendly relaxed yet fine dining resort restaurant is everything the doctor ordered all rolled up into a healthy meal. Read the MALIBU BEACH INN RESTAURANT REVIEW
SONG OF THE WEEK:
September 6, 2012
Train “Drive By”
It’s so up beat this song tricks you into thinking that all one night stands have a happy ending. (Wait! They don’t?) Very pop punk and comical in its lyrical style, Train released “Drive By” in January of this year. Every time the lyrics, “There's nothing up my sleeve but love for you - And a little time to get my head together too,” are sung out the cleverness of this song strikes. It’s always a welcome play on the radio or iPod playlist and has listeners bopping and singing along, “Oh I swear to you!” Video and more ---> SONG OF THE WEEK