Paradise Cove
California
While it's a public beach, Paradise Cove is best associated with the eponymous café located right off the Pacific Coast Highway. Both the beach and eatery draw visitors to this idyllic setting with the allure of a quiet meal where you can quite literally put your toes in the sand, as well as the opportunity to camp out at the shore all day.
This family-friendly destination has been popular since it first opened in the 1950s. Over the years, the café has maintained its retro vibes while whipping up three meals a day for hungry, beach-going visitors. After a meal and setting up your chairs for an afternoon of sun and surf, consider going for a walk along the pristine shore, gazing up at Malibu’s cliffside homes, or meandering as far as Point Dume State Beach.
The Paradise Cove Beach Cafe offers parking on-site for a fee, as well as the opportunity to rent shaded daybeds and cabana-style private areas during your visit. The café requests that all guests respect the quiet ambience of the beach and keep noise and music to a minimum.
There is free parking along the Pacific Coast Highway, as well as limited paid spaces next to the café.
The café offers validated parking for up to 4 hours, though you are still required to pay a fee. If you exceed the 4-hour limit or fail to eat at the café, full-day beach parking is a heftier cost.
Paradise Cove offers clean facilities, on-duty lifeguards, a private pier, and a wheelchair-accessible section of beach.
The public is welcome to walk from the highway to the pier, and the section of beach below the mean high tide line, free of charge.
From the Getty Villa, head west on the Pacific Coast Highway for roughly 20 minutes. If you're driving directly to the café, take a left on Paradise Cove Road before ending in the parking lot. Otherwise you can find a parking spot along the shoulder of the highway. The 534 bus line from Santa Monica stops about 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) away, at Pacific Coast Highway/Zumirez.
The Paradise Cove Beach Cafe is open daily, with public access to the beach from mid-morning to sunset. Prices and crowds increase on the weekends, so for a more low-key visit consider a trip during the week. Spaces in the parking lot do fill up quickly, so it's best to arrive early.
On the easternmost end of Malibu in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, the Getty Villa is world-renowned for its stunning gardens and architecture, and for its spectacular collection of ancient Greek and Roman art. Check out any one of museum's daily tours for an immersive experience.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!