The quintessential beach community, Malibu offers seclusion and privacy, even in its busy shopping centers, where famous stars rub shoulders with surfers and respectful neighbors. Luxury estates sit behind gates on sycamore-lined roads where horses are nearly as common as cars. From Topanga Canyon to Point Dume, Pacific Coast Highway is dotted with houses of every architectural variety, from beach cottages to multi-million dollar estates. Restaurants and shops range from barefoot surfer hangouts to white tablecloth elegance. Beach-side or land-side, Malibu's homes are replete with character and many offer spectacular coastline views.

Since 1991 an incorporated city, Malibu is a tight-knit and appealing community whose residents appreciate their geographic distance from the hubbub of city life. The 2000 census puts Malibu’s population at 12,575, with 6,126 housing units. The city boasts a glossy magazine of its own, Malibu Magazine, as well as two weekly newspapers, Malibu Times and Malibu Surfside News.