If you are thinking about buying a home in Malibu, one of the first things to figure out is which part of Malibu fits you best. A beachfront house in the eastern part of town is a very different experience from a home on a large lot in the hills or a property in a gated community. Prices can also vary by millions of dollars, even between homes that are only a short drive apart.
The best neighborhood for you will depend on what matters most. Maybe you want to walk straight onto the sand. Maybe you need more space, prefer a private setting or want to stay closer to Santa Monica and Los Angeles. Some buyers are looking for a full-time residence, while others want a second home on the coast.
Here is a closer look at some of the best neighborhoods in Malibu for buying a home, what you can expect to find in each area and what your budget may get you.
Eastern Malibu: Coastal Homes Close to Los Angeles
Eastern Malibu is worth a look if you want to live by the ocean but still need regular access to Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades or the Westside. Homes here range from smaller beachfront properties to larger houses above Pacific Coast Highway with ocean views.
Las Tunas Beach
Las Tunas Beach sits near Malibu's eastern entrance, so it’s a practical option for buyers who expect to travel into Los Angeles regularly. The neighborhood has a relatively small collection of coastal homes, many positioned along the shoreline or on the land above Pacific Coast Highway. You will find older beach houses, renovated residences and contemporary homes that make the most of the ocean views.
Prices can start around $2.5 million for smaller properties, with larger or better-positioned oceanfront homes reaching $10 million or more. The range depends heavily on beach access, the size of the lot and the condition of the house.
La Costa Beach
La Costa Beach offers another option for buyers drawn to the eastern coastline. The area includes beachfront houses and homes set above the highway, where some properties have broad views of the Pacific. You can find older coastal residences as well as extensively remodeled homes, with prices varying according to the property's position and size.
A rough starting point is $2.5 million to $4 million for some homes in the area, while premium oceanfront properties can reach $8 million or more. Buyers should look closely at the specific property's beach access and how the home sits on its lot.
Malibu Road
Malibu Road is a strong choice for buyers who want the ocean to be a central part of their home. Many properties are directly along the beach, with decks and living spaces arranged around the views. Others occupy larger or elevated lots nearby. The housing stock includes older beach houses, modern architectural homes and substantial oceanfront estates.
Prices commonly run from around $6 million to $20 million, and exceptional properties can exceed $30 million. The difference between two homes on the same road can be substantial, depending on frontage, size, privacy and condition.
Central Malibu: Beachfront Homes and Private Residential Areas
Central Malibu puts you closer to the Civic Center, Malibu Country Mart and other everyday services. Buyers looking here can choose between some of the area's most recognizable beachfront addresses and private residential neighborhoods set farther inland.
Malibu Colony
Malibu Colony is a guard-gated beachfront community near central Malibu. It is known for luxury homes along the sand, with properties that range from relatively compact beach houses to large, extensively renovated residences. The gated setting and limited supply of beachfront lots make it one of Malibu's best-known luxury addresses.
Buyers should generally expect prices in the $10 million to $30 million range, with exceptional homes listed above that. A property with direct beach access, a larger footprint or a particularly strong ocean view can command a significant premium. Malibu Colony is worth considering if you want a high-end beachfront home and prefer a gated community close to the center of town.
Carbon Beach
Carbon Beach, often called Billionaires' Beach, is another prominent central Malibu location. The neighborhood is known for high-value beachfront homes, many of which are positioned to take full advantage of the Pacific views. Contemporary architecture is common, although the properties differ in size, layout and the amount of outdoor space available.
Prices can begin around $10 million and climb well beyond $30 million for exceptional oceanfront properties. Buyers should compare the actual beach frontage, access and condition of each home rather than relying on the neighborhood name alone.
Serra Retreat
Serra Retreat has a different type of property. This gated residential enclave is located inland, where larger lots, landscaped grounds and substantial homes create more separation between neighbors. Instead of paying primarily for direct beach frontage, buyers here are often looking for privacy, space and a quieter residential setting.
A broad price range is roughly $4 million to $20 million or more, depending on the size of the home, the land and the property's condition. Serra Retreat is worth considering if you want a larger private residence and do not need to step directly onto the sand from your backyard.
Point Dume: Coastal Homes, Larger Lots and Privacy
Point Dume has a distinct residential character. The area includes established streets, larger lots, hillside homes and properties with views of the Pacific. It is also important to distinguish the broader Point Dume neighborhood from the smaller coastal enclaves nearby.
Point Dume
Point Dume is an amazing option for buyers who want room around the house without giving up the coast. The neighborhood includes older ranch-style homes, remodeled residences and large custom estates. Some properties sit on generous parcels with mature landscaping, while others take advantage of ocean views or elevated positions near the bluffs.
For many homes, a rough range is $3 million to $15 million, although exceptional estates can sell for more than $20 million. Lot size, views, privacy and the home's condition make a big difference. Point Dume is a good place to start if you want an established residential neighborhood, more outdoor space and access to the coastline without limiting your search to beachfront properties.
Paradise Cove
Paradise Cove has a mix of coastal properties and homes set into the surrounding hills. The area includes beachfront residences as well as larger homes on inland parcels, so buyers should pay attention to the precise location when comparing listings. The price difference between a home directly on the water and one farther inland can be considerable.
Some properties fall in the $5 million to $10 million range, while larger estates and prime beachfront homes can reach $20 million or much more.
Inland Malibu: More Space and Hillside Homes
If direct beach access is not at the top of your list, inland Malibu is worth exploring. Neighborhoods farther from the shoreline usually have larger lots and more outdoor space plus you can find homes with mountain or ocean views.
Malibu Park
Malibu Park has a mix of established homes, ranch-style properties and larger custom residences. Some homes sit on substantial lots, and the neighborhood includes properties with hillside and ocean views. The range of house sizes and land parcels makes it worth comparing individual listings rather than assuming every home falls into the same price category.
A rough range is $3 million to $10 million for many properties, although large estates can be listed well above $15 million.
Malibu Country Estates
Malibu Country Estates is known for larger single-family homes, spacious lots and views across the surrounding landscape. The neighborhood has a more traditional residential feel than Malibu's beachfront strips, with contemporary houses and established luxury properties. Its inland position also means that buyers are not paying exclusively for a direct oceanfront location.
Current asking prices can fall around $3.5 million to $8 million, with larger or particularly well-positioned homes going higher.
Cavalleri and Gayton
Cavalleri and Gayton includes established homes on hillside lots, larger residences and properties with canyon or ocean views. There is a mix of architectural styles, from mid-century homes to newer custom houses. Some properties have enough land to offer a level of privacy that can be harder to find along the coast.
A rough price range is $3 million to $9 million, although larger estates can exceed that. Buyers should compare lot size, access, views and the condition of the home, as these factors can change the value considerably.
Western Malibu: Broad Beach, Trancas and County Line
Farther west, Malibu becomes more spread out and the feel of a property can change considerably depending on where they are exactly since between Escondido Beach and Trancas, for example, you have 10 minutes drive.
Broad Beach Road
Broad Beach Road is known for luxury coastal properties, including large beachfront homes and residences with ocean views. The neighborhood has some of Malibu's highest-priced real estate, with homes that vary in architecture, lot size and proximity to the water.
Prices for properties in the area can start around $5 million, while prime beachfront homes commonly reach $15 million to $30 million or more. Exceptional properties may be listed above $35 million. Broad Beach Road is worth a look if you want a high-end coastal home with room for outdoor living and are prepared for the costs and upkeep that come with oceanfront ownership.
Trancas
Trancas offers a mix of inland and hillside homes in western Malibu California. You will find single-family residences, larger custom houses and properties with ocean or mountain views. Some homes sit on modest residential lots, while others have several acres of land. The nearby Trancas Country Market also gives the area a useful local center for shopping and dining.
Prices vary, but a rough range is $2 million to $8 million for many homes, with larger estates reaching $10 million or more. Trancas can suit buyers who want to live in western Malibu and have more space than a typical beachfront lot provides.
County Line Beach
County Line Beach is at the far western end of the Malibu coastline, where the beach and surrounding hills create a more secluded setting. The area includes smaller beach residences, oceanfront homes and larger properties with expansive views. Some homes are close to the sand, while others sit farther up the hillside.
Prices range widely, from around $2 million for some smaller coastal properties to $20 million or more for larger oceanfront homes and estates. County Line Beach may appeal to buyers who want a quieter coastal setting and do not mind being farther from central Malibu. One detail worth checking before making an offer is the property's jurisdiction. Some homes with Malibu mailing addresses are located in Ventura County, which can affect permitting and other property matters.
What to Consider Before Choosing a Malibu Neighborhood
Once you have narrowed your search to a few areas, take a closer look at what each property offers and what ownership will involve, before buying a Malibu home. A smaller beachfront home may be a better fit than a larger inland estate, depending on your priorities. Before making a decision, consider a few practical points:
- Property location and access: Think about whether you want direct beach access, ocean views, a larger lot or more privacy. The exact position of a home can make a big difference in both price and day-to-day living.
- Insurance and maintenance: Ask about insurance availability and costs, past damage, wildfire exposure and the upkeep required for the property. Coastal homes may also involve erosion concerns, shoreline restrictions and permit requirements.
- Commute and everyday travel: If you regularly travel to Santa Monica or Los Angeles, consider how far west you want to live and how often you will use Pacific Coast Highway.
- Room to renovate or expand: If you plan to update the house or add to it later, check local zoning rules, coastal development restrictions and other permit requirements before you buy.
- Total cost of ownership: Look beyond the asking price. Property taxes, insurance, maintenance and any planned improvements should all factor into your budget.
Finding the Right Home in Malibu
There is no single best neighborhood in Malibu for every buyer. Las Tunas Beach and La Costa Beach make sense if you want to stay closer to Los Angeles. Malibu Colony and Carbon Beach suit buyers focused on high-end beachfront properties.
And so on.
If you are deciding where to buy, start with your budget and the features you are unwilling to compromise on. From there, compare a few neighborhoods and look closely at the homes currently available. We work across Malibu's distinct communities and can help you compare Malibu real estate properties, understand local market differences and find a home that fits your priorities.
Explore Malibu properties for sale or contact The O'Herlihy Group to discuss your home search.
FAQs
Which Malibu neighborhoods have the strongest long-term property value potential?
Long-term value depends on the individual property, its condition, location, land and demand from future buyers. Desirable coastal areas can attract strong interest, but inland homes with larger lots or distinctive features also hold their appeal.
Which Malibu neighborhoods have the most architectural variety?
Malibu has a wide mix of architectural styles, from mid-century ranch houses and traditional beach cottages to contemporary homes and custom estates. Areas such as Point Dume, Malibu Park and the coastal neighborhoods include properties from different periods, although the selection varies by street.
Where can buyers find mid-century modern homes in Malibu?
Mid-century homes can be found in established residential areas of Malibu, including parts of Point Dume and Malibu Park. Some retain original architectural features, while others have been extensively renovated or replaced.
Which Malibu neighborhoods have properties with equestrian facilities?
Buyers interested in horses should focus on properties with sufficient usable land and check whether equestrian use is permitted at the specific address. Some larger parcels in inland Malibu and areas around Malibu Park may be worth exploring.
Where can buyers find vacant land for a custom home in Malibu?
Vacant parcels may be available in inland and hillside areas of Malibu, including parts of Malibu Park and other residential neighborhoods. Finding a lot does not automatically mean you can build the home you have in mind. Before purchasing, investigate zoning, access, utilities, slope stability, fire regulations and any coastal development permits that may apply.