15 Malibu Date Ideas

Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like to live inside a perfect day. The kind where the sun kisses your skin, the playlist hits just right, and somehow, every hour is magic. My daydreaming always starts in Malibu. And somehow, we manage to fit it all in. Fifteen little moments of Malibu date ideas, which I considered unforgettable fantasies.

1. Begin with a Luxury Beach Picnic in Malibu 🧺

When I dream about Malibu, I always start barefoot. The sand’s still cool, and a low wooden table is already in front of me. It is styled in soft linens, ocean blooms, and just-for-us details.

It’s the kind of setting that feels almost too perfect to be real… but in Malibu, it actually is. Discover the curated charm of a Malibu picnic setup designed for cinematic moments.

• Malibu Insider: Luxury picnics on Malibu’s beaches are often booked by celebrity stylists and high-end proposal planners. While private beaches offer complete privacy, select public beaches, such as Point Dume and Zuma, allow for stylish setups with advanced permitting.
• Make It Yours: Slip a handwritten love note under your partner’s plate or bring a camera to capture each other candidly.
• Not-So-Secret Tip: Sunset is the most popular booking time, but early morning picnics offer softer light, more privacy, and cooler temps—perfect for summer.

Did You Know? A special events permit from LA County is required for elaborate setups on public beaches. Local event planners like Picnic Makers handle permitting and design.

2. Coffee + Croissants at Malibu Farm Pier Café ☕️

On my dream day, we’re never in a rush. The morning unfolds gently, just the two of us on the pier, wrapped in that crisp Malibu breeze.

We find a sun-drenched table, order something warm, and let the view talk. It’s exactly what mornings by the water should feel like.

• Malibu Insider: The Malibu Farm Pier Café is perched at the end of the Malibu Pier. Locals love it for its clean, organic menu and unobstructed Pacific views.
• Make It Yours: Share a single pastry or order “for the table.” Bonus points for trying their Swedish mini pancakes.
• Not-So-Secret Tip: Arrive before 10 a.m. to avoid the brunch crowd and claim a front-row seat by the railing.

Did You Know? The café was founded by Helene Henderson, who started it in her backyard before it became a coastal favorite.

3. Walk the Shoreline at El Matador Beach 🏖

Somehow, we’re still barefoot. The light has shifted. At this time, it’s sharper now and sparkling off the tide pools. We climb down the stairs at El Matador and step onto sand carved by the sea.

• Malibu Insider: El Matador Beach is often used for fashion shoots and elopements. Its sea stacks and caves give it a wild, romantic edge.
• Make It Yours: Time it with low tide and pack a thermos of coffee or a small snack to enjoy on the rocks.
• Not-So-Secret Tip: The stairs are steep, and there are no restrooms. Wear comfortable shoes and pack light.

Did You Know? This beach is part of the Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach and is protected under California’s Coastal Act, which keeps it pristine and undeveloped.

4. Explore the Malibu Country Mart 🛍️

After the beach, we wandered into the heart of Malibu’s charm. The Country Mart feels like a postcard—surfboards, designer boutiques, sunhats, and smoothies.

We window shop, people-watch, maybe find a candle we’ll never light. It’s the kind of detour that always ends in something unexpected (like matching sunglasses).

• Malibu Insider: Celebs love the Malibu Country Mart for its casual cool and high-end retail mix. Don’t be surprised if you spot someone familiar in oversized shades.
• Make It Yours: Pick something small for each other, something under $20 and unplanned.
• Not-So-Secret Tip: For a quick bite, grab lunch from John’s Garden and eat in the shaded courtyard under the trees.

Meanwhile, for laid-back birthdays with room to roam, this stop—and others from our list of Malibu birthday ideas—make it easy to keep things effortlessly memorable.

Did You Know? The Mart has been around since the 1970s and still reflects a mix of Malibu’s boho surf roots and modern luxury.

5. Couples Surf Lesson or Paddleboard Session 🏄‍♀️

By now, the sun’s higher, and the ocean’s calling. On my perfect day, we say yes to something outside our comfort zones, like wetsuits zipped, boards ready, hearts racing.

We paddle out. We laugh. We fall. And in between the splashes, this quiet rhythm builds between us. Adventure has a way of making you feel more like a team.

• Malibu Insider: First Point at Surfrider Beach is famous for its gentle, rolling waves. This is ideal for beginners and couples paddling together.
• Make It Yours: Book a private couples lesson or challenge each other to a mini balance contest mid-session.
• Not-So-Secret Tip: Early morning sessions offer fewer crowds and calmer surf. Furthermore, wetsuits are warmer than you’d think.

Did You Know? Surfing is deeply embedded in Malibu’s culture. This area was one of the original birthplaces of SoCal surf culture in the 1950s.

6. Scenic Drive Along Pacific Coast Highway 🚘

Once we’ve dried off, we drive. There is no GPS or destination. It was just the Pacific on our left and the wind in our hair. The top’s down, the playlist’s ours, and every curve of the road feels like it’s leading somewhere magical. It’s the in-between moments like this that feel unexpectedly intimate.

• Malibu Insider: The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) between Malibu and Point Mugu is one of the most scenic drives in California, which has been featured in countless films and car commercials.
• Make It Yours: Build a road trip playlist in advance with five songs each.
• Not-So-Secret Tip: Stop at Leo Carrillo Beach for a quick leg stretch or at Neptune’s Net for classic coastal bites with a view.

Did You Know? Many classic road trip movies, including scenes from The Notebook and La La Land, were filmed along this stretch of highway.

7. Hike to the Waterfall at Escondido Canyon 🥾

At this moment, we chase something wild. We follow the shaded trail, hands brushing, sunlight flickering through sycamore leaves. There’s a sense of discovery, like muddy shoes, quiet laughter, and water getting closer.

When we reach the falls, it’s cool and misty. We sit in the silence and stay a little longer than we planned.

• Malibu Insider: Escondido Falls is Malibu’s tallest waterfall. It is hidden within the Santa Monica Mountains, but well worth the effort.
• Make It Yours: Bring a small thermos of something warm or your favorite post-hike snack to share at the base.
• Not-So-Secret Tip: Wear trail shoes with a good grip, especially after rain. The path can be slippery in spots.

Did You Know? The full waterfall only flows after heavy rain, but the lower falls offer shade and romance even in dry seasons.

8. Visit Malibu Wines for a Midday Toast 🥂

By now, the light is golden and slow. This is where we pause. It was long enough for a glass of something chilled, something pink, something that tastes better because we earned it.

The vineyard hums softly in the background. We clink glasses, lean into each other, and let the afternoon melt.

• Malibu Insider: Malibu Wines (now Saddlerock Ranch) is tucked into the Santa Monica Mountains and is known for its relaxed tasting lawn and hilltop vineyard tours.
• Make It Yours: Split a tasting flight and rate each wine on your phone with a secret prize for the favorite.
• Not-So-Secret Tip: Reservations are a must on weekends. Thus, opt for a midweek visit to avoid the crowds and score a better view.

Did You Know? The property spans over 1,000 acres and was once home to exotic animals, including zebras and camels used in film productions.

9. Stop for Tacos at Malibu’s Best-Kept Secret Shack 🌮

It happens now, just when we feel sun-kissed and snacky. Here, a tiny taco shack is always waiting near the beach. We sit on a curb, a bench, or the back of the car and unwrap warm tortillas with something perfect. It’s casual. Unplanned. And somehow… unforgettable.

• Malibu Insider: Lily’s Malibu is famous for its breakfast burritos, while Malibu Seafood serves some of the freshest tacos steps from the sand.
• Make It Yours: Order something for each other without saying what, like trade bites, pick favorites, and pretend you’re on a food show.
• Not-So-Secret Tip: Bring cash! Some shacks are cash-only or have spotty Wi-Fi for mobile pay.

Did You Know? Locals often keep their taco spots secret. Some of the best aren’t even on Google Maps, just word-of-mouth legends.

10. Relax with a Couples Massage at a Malibu Spa 💆‍♀️

After sun, salt, and tacos, this is where the dream slows. We step into the spa, inhale the scent of lavender and warmth, and the world quiets. Matching robes, ambient music, soft pressure- this moment feels like a reset. A reward. We emerge slower, softer, and even more in sync.

• Malibu Insider: CURE Spa and The Ranch Malibu are top picks for luxe couples’ treatments, blending holistic care with ocean views.
• Make It Yours: Choose a signature scent together, such as lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus, and let it carry through the rest of the day.
• Not-So-Secret Tip: Book your couples massage in advance as weekends fill quickly, and midweek sessions have more privacy and perks.

Did You Know? Many Malibu spas offer outdoor treatment rooms or oceanfront massage options for the ultimate coastal calm.

11. Sunset Horseback Ride Along Zuma Ridge Trail 🐎

This is the part we’ll talk about forever. We saddle up just before sunset, the light a dripping gold across the hillside. The horses move at an easy rhythm, and Malibu rolls out beneath us. We don’t say much because we don’t need to. The view does the talking.

• Malibu Insider: Malibu Riders offers guided sunset tours along Zuma Ridge with panoramic views of the Pacific and Santa Monica Mountains.
• Make It Yours: Coordinate soft, neutral outfits for those golden hour photos- nothing too matchy, just effortlessly you.
• Not-So-Secret Tip: Book the day’s last tour for peak sunset lighting and bring a light jacket, even in summer.

Did You Know? Zuma Ridge is one of the only trails in Malibu where you can ride horses with ocean views stretching to the horizon.

12. Catch the Golden Hour at Point Dume Overlook 🌄

We arrive just as the sky begins to shift. The trail is short, the breeze is stronger now, and so is the light. Unreal. We climb, hand in hand, to the edge where the cliffs meet the clouds. Down below, surfers trace soft lines in the waves. Up here, we stand still and just take it in.

If you’re considering bringing a blanket and staying a while, Point Dume can also be one of the best Malibu picnic spots for an end-of-day moment you won’t forget.

• Malibu Insider: Point Dume has been featured in films like Iron Man, Planet of the Apes, and countless engagement shoots for a good reason. It’s one of Malibu’s most iconic views.
• Make It Yours: Time your visit to bring a thermos of hot cocoa or champagne to sip while the sun drops.
• Not-So-Secret Tip: Parking fills fast. So, arrive 45 minutes before sunset and wear sturdy shoes for the final rocky steps.

Did You Know? This overlook is home to protected wildflowers and nesting falcons in spring—watch your step and stay on marked trails.

13. Dinner at Nobu Malibu 🍣

This is the part where the day turns glossy. We slip into something soft, leave the sand behind, and head to the coast’s most iconic table.

The ocean crashes just beyond the glass, the lighting is perfect, and there’s a shared sense of “we made it.” A toast. A bite. A memory plated with precision.

• Malibu Insider: Nobu Malibu is known for celebrity sightings and signature dishes like yellowtail jalapeño, rock shrimp tempura, and miso black cod.
• Make It Yours: Skip the menus and order for each other blindfolded, or choose one signature dish you’ve never tried before.
• Not-So-Secret Tip: Request patio seating at reservation time, and arrive early for a cocktail at the outdoor bar before dinner.

Did You Know? Nobu Malibu is one of the few Nobu locations with an oceanfront deck because tables here are often booked weeks in advance.

14. Stargazing at a Hidden Beach Cove 🌌

The sky turns indigo, and we don’t go home just yet. We find a quiet cove and bring a blanket, playlist, and nothing on the agenda. The tide whispers nearby.

We stretch out, point at stars, and say things we wouldn’t say in daylight. Malibu at night makes everything feel infinite.

• Malibu Insider: Westward and El Matador offer quiet coves for stargazing after sunset, but the hidden gems are locals-only spots below cliffside trails.
• Make It Yours: Bring a constellation map or stargazing app and try to spot three new constellations together.
• Not-So-Secret Tip: Pack a lightweight blanket and dress in layers—the breeze picks up fast after sundown.

Did You Know?: Malibu has designated “dark sky” areas, which are minimal light pollution zones where the stars shine more clearly than anywhere near LA.

15. Late-Night Dip at a Private Malibu Stay 🛁

In the final scene, we’re back where the lights are low and the water’s warm. Maybe it’s a tucked-away Airbnb, maybe a cliffside hotel suite. However, there’s a pool or a hot tub just waiting.

We sink in slowly, champagne nearby, skin still sun-warmed. The stars above. The ocean below. And just us completely at ease.

• Malibu Insider: Luxury stays like The Surfrider Hotel, Calamigos Guest Ranch, and private rentals through Plum Guide or Airbnb offer poolside night views you’ll never forget.
• Make It Yours: For your stay, choose a signature scent, such as lavender linen spray, palo santo, or your favorite candle to light post-dip.
• Not-So-Secret Tip: Always confirm after-dark amenity access when booking, as some pools and hot tubs close at 10 p.m.

Did You Know? Some luxury Malibu rentals include spa-style amenities, like outdoor tubs, private firepits, and even open-air showers.

The Dream Doesn’t Have to End 🌙

Maybe we don’t get days like this all the time. But every once in a while, it’s nice to imagine one. This is the kind where every hour feels like magic, and love floats somewhere between a picnic blanket and the Pacific.

This day may have started as a dream, but many of these moments are real and waiting. Malibu is a place and a feeling. And with some planning (or the right partner-in-picnic), that dream day? It’s closer than you think.

✨ Start your perfect day with a curated beach picnic by Picnic Makers, and let the rest unfold.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best time of year to plan a romantic date in Malibu?

Malibu is beautiful year-round, but spring and early fall offer the best balance of warm weather, lighter crowds, and golden California sunsets. Summer weekends can get busy, so opt for weekday adventures when possible.

2. Where are the best beaches in Malibu for a couple’s picnic or sunset walk?

Some of the most romantic beaches include Zuma Beach, El Matador, and Westward Beach. For a full breakdown, check out our guide to the best beaches in Malibu.

3. Do I need a permit to set up a luxury picnic on the beach in Malibu?

Yes. Most public beaches in Malibu require a permit for any styled setup. To keep things stress-free, curated picnic providers like Picnic Makers handle the design and permitting for you.

4. How far in advance should I book things like spas, horseback rides, or Nobu Malibu?

For iconic spots like Nobu or sunset horseback rides, booking 2–3 weeks in advance is best, especially during peak season. Midweek visits offer more flexibility and a more intimate vibe.

5. What should we pack for a full day of date ideas in Malibu?

Malibu mornings can be chilly. Bring comfy shoes for light hikes, a change of clothes for dinner, sunscreen, water, and a small beach bag with a speaker, a towel, and something sweet to share. Don’t forget a phone charger. This day is made for photos.