Malibu via Malibu Canyon

One block shy of the end of Las Virgenes Road, on your right, you’ll see the golf course-emerald lawn and towering ivory 1970s cross of Pepperdine University.  (Rumor is there’s a lovely little art gallery inside.)  At the stoplight by said cross, you’ll find Civic Center Way.  I highly recommend taking a left here and visiting the celebrity-heavy Malibu Country Mart.

Best described as rustic-chic (in LA, this is an actual architectural style), the Country Mart serves as the town center of Malibu.  The whole complex, draped over both sides of Civic Center Way, is the local stomping ground for lots of stars from TV, music and movies.  Adam and I have seen, to name a few, Pierce Brosnan, Anthony Kiedis, Pat Benatar, David Duchovny, Chris Cornell, Cindy Crawford, Jim Carrey, and Britney Spears.  Here, you can (unconscionably) buy a $1000 purebred puppy, spend $300 on sustainably-milled cotton t-shirts, watch the overdressed children of the famous play in a giant sandbox, or eventually smell every fancy soap or candle ever made.

Or, you could just head straight over to our favorite Greek restaurant, Taverna Tony. No need to dress up — this place is very casual, and while you will see a lot of women with status handbags, shorts and t-shirts aren’t out of place.

Sit out on the bouganvillea-covered, sun-dappled patio long enough, enjoying their complimentary and amazing caviar/garlic/avocado dip, their plenty-for-two Vegetarian’s Paradise platter and Greek Village Salad, and you’re bound to have what people in LA simply call a “sighting.”  As in, “Did you see Ellen Pompeo at that Greek place?  Best sighting I’ve had in a while.  Who knew she eats?”

All this and cuddly waiters from Crete.  Fantastic.

In the Fall of ’07, the whole hillside that forms the side view of Taverna Tony, along with much of the rest of the canyon, burned in one of the almost yearly wildfires.  This terrain is no stranger to healing and reinvention – much like many of the famous people who live nearby.

Just after Taverna Tony, Civic Center Way becomes Cross Creek Road.  A left from Cross Creek onto PCH and across a short bridge, you’ll find the Malibu Pier & Lagoon and historic Adamson House, former home of one of the founding families of Malibu .

Head over (it’s a 10-minute walk) and take a stroll on the pier or the beach just to say you saw/touched the water…in case you feel too guilty about having driven all the way here just to go to a mall.

If you instead take a right onto PCH from Cross Creek Road, you’ll soon pass the Malibu Colony area on your left.  For more information on both Adamson House and this local enclave, please see the entry for Central Malibu Along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Another stoplight up the road is once again Pepperdine University, marking the start of a mile-long stretch of ocean view driving that can easily take your breath away.  As I crest the hill, I generally find I have a huge, silly Pacific-inspired grin on my face.  At the bottom of the hill, beside one of the prettiest coves in Malibu, you’ll find the modest little Malibu Seafood. Its parking lot also serves as the trailhead for a hike that steers you steeply upwards for an endless view of the sea.

If an elegant meal at sunset is more your speed,500 ft. or so up PCH you’ll find the schmancy, Mediterranean-themed Beau Rivage.

In the same parking lot you’ll find the tasting room for the Rosenthal Winery, a unique entity in Malibu.  I mean, you see vines up in the canyons sometimes, but I defy you to find an Angeleno who’s ever tried these wines.  We’ll soon be taking the leap ourselves, though, so I’ll keep you posted.

See also
Central Malibu Along the Pacific Coast Highway
Sunset Boulevard to Malibu
Malibu via Topanga Canyon
Malibu via Latigo Canyon
The Far Northern End of Malibu
Three Great Malibu Beaches