Malibu Lagoon and Malibu Country Mart

My first recommendation in Malibu has a lot to offer everyone. It has something for those who like to shop, eat, birdwatch, and surf. Yes, all that can exist at the same place in Malibu. At the intersection of the Pacific Coast Highway and Cross Creek Road, you will find the Malibu Lagoon and the Malibu Country Mart. 

The nature versus consumer areas are divided by the Pacific Coast Highway(PCH). To the west is the lagoon and beach and to the east is the shopping center and restaurants. If you are leaning more nature than shopping or more shopping than nature, be sure to use this post’s table of contents.

Nature 

There is a creek that flows from the Santa Monica Mountains all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Where fresh water and saltwater intersect is the Malibu Lagoon, a perfect environment for hundreds of species of animals.

The Bird Sanctuary

The bird sanctuary starts steps from the historic PCH. In the taller grasses Green Herons balance on reeds, American Coots with their pitch-black bodies and bright white breaks swim around looking for snacks, and Brown Pelicans fly in squadrons over the Pacific. This is a great place to sit and watch nature. You have a perfect view of both the Pacific and the Santa Monica mountains. Sunsets here are pretty spectacular.

The Malibu Lagoon was part of a larger network of wetlands that covered ninety-five percent of Southern California. The lagoon and the Ballona Wetlands are pretty much what is left in Los Angeles. The revitalization project completed in 2013 traversed the wetlands taking into account the need to preserve natural habitats and bring back some of what had been lost. The projected created lofted walkways for pedestrians to birdwatch and create a path to funnel traffic to the beach.

This has been a contentious place between the wildlife and residents. To be quite frank, the bird sanctuary can smell pretty pungent at times. Homeowners in the area, like the ones mentioned in this post, are annoyed that the birds don’t stay at the public beach. These residents have been fighting to fill in the lagoon, decimating the bird sanctuary located there. It would be a shame if they won. 

Los Angeles Tide Pools

If you are a habitual reader of this blog, you know that exploring tide pools is one of my favorite pastimes. This week’s run of negative low tides were perfect for exploring the local tide pools. The tide forecast can be found here.

Malibu has the closest tide pools to Los Angeles. The popular tourist beaches of Santa Monica and Venice do not have the right conditions. 

Each of Los Angeles County’s tide pools offer different terrains to explore.

• Leo Carrillo has large caves and outcroppings, rocks that exist like islands exposed when the tide decreases.
• Lechuza Beach is pure sand with rugged black boulders that sea life clings to during low tide to hide from predators.
• Malibu Lagoon is an extension of the beach. Its smaller pumpkin-sized rocks provide a pathway out to the Pacific into what was, a few hours earlier, waist-deep water.

The Malibu Lagoon

This place is very special to me because it was my first tide pool experience. Its tide pools can be accessed a couple of ways, from the public beach or through the bird sanctuary. (Above)

When the tide is low, sea grass-covered rocks are exposed offering a pathway out into the Pacific. As you walk west, I recommend you stop occasionally. Take a moment to crouch down and be still, so you can watch the little plays being acted out. See antagonistic hermit crabs try to kick snails out of their rose-colored shells. Watch sea hare graze on grasses.

Anemones are everywhere.  When not covered by water, they fold inward and are clustered in circular mounds, that kind of look like donuts with gravel for sprinkles. As the tide comes back in, water hits them and they open like flowers to catch their prey.  It is hard to capture the colors of these animals–crystalline greens, silvery creams, pinks, purple, and colors I don’t think that there are names for.

Do be careful because the animals camouflage into their surroundings to avoid being eaten, but also are easily trampled on.

Parking

This wouldn’t get the typical hours, cost, and other information as this area closes at sunset which varies, and doesn’t charge admission. There are, however, three different options for parking.

• On the PCH. You may notice that the shoulders of the famous highway are often used for free parking all along the coast.
• Beach and Lagoon parking lots. The parking lots in the area cost $12 a day to park. If you frequent California beaches and parks often, you may consider getting an annual pass. The Malibu Lagoon and Beach are included in this pass.
• If you shop in addition to your beach exploring, you can park at the Malibu Country Mart. (See below)

The Malibu Country Mart

If you decide you would rather shop and eat, turn east off the Pacific Coast Highway instead. The country mart feels like a village–shopping, eating, and general places to hang out and catch up with your neighbors. There is a lot of outdoor space–picnic tables and a pretty sizable playground for kids.

NOTE: As of the update of this post, 11/19, COVID-19 regulations are still in place for Los Angeles County. You can find a cheat sheet here.

As Malibu residents can live on the beach, up into the canyons and mountains, the Malibu Country Mart is as close to a version of downtown Malibu as you can get. Word on the street is that if you are a car lover, this is a great place to see classic and luxury cars owned by the locals–like Jay Leno or Jerry Seinfeld.

The original footprint of the county mart is more focused on mom and pop or luxury stores selling anything from clothes to furniture and housewares. It is a great place to window shop and dream of having that Malibu lifestyle. The clothing stores offer more relaxed, airy, and breezy casual ware, but sticker shock might set in. 

The Malibu Village shopping center on the northern edge of the district offers more in the way of chains with Chipotle, Lululemon, Urban Outfitters, and Sephora.

Hours and other information

• Website: https://www.malibucountrymart.com/  or https://www.malibuvillage.com/
• COVID-19 INFORMATION: Stores are open, but limited to 25% capacity.
• Getting here: The LA Metro 534 

Recommendations

Broad Street Oyster Co.

This stand at the popular downtown L.A. food fair, Smorgasburg, has expanded to a brick and mortar in the Malibu Village shopping center. This place serves from very casual options like fried clams to rich cioppinos. They have a seafood tower that puts most places to shame. They also serve some of the best lobster rolls in the city. Menu ranges from fresh oysters by the half/dozen, ceviches, and even includes some options for people who aren’t seafood fans. Get the freshly made Old Bay potato chips.

Hours, cost, and other information

• Website: https://www.broadstreetoyster.com/
• Cost: Fried shrimp $14, Crab cake $16, seafood tower $150, Old Bay Chips $3
• COVID-19 info: Patio seating is available. Additionally, you can grab and go and sit outdoors at the Malibu Country Mart and the beach.

I hope you take the opportunity these next few weeks to visit this place during low tide to explore the tide pools and support some local businesses.

NEXT UP… five fireplaces and a waterfall

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