Territory Supply is reader-supported and may earn a commission when you book or purchase using our links. Learn more about our editorial policies here.
Malibu is quintessential Southern California, with gorgeous beaches for surfing or swimming and magnificent celebrity mansions tucked into green hills above.
Part of the greater Los Angeles area, Malibu includes famous stretches of sand like Surfrider, Malibu, Point Dume, Zuma, and Dan Blocker beaches. Even if you haven’t been to Malibu, you’ve likely seen the beaches, since they’ve been the setting for thousands of movies and TV shows from “Baywatch” and “Two and a Half Men” to “The Notebook” and “Grease.”
But Malibu isn’t just an ideal spot for a beach getaway – it makes a great base for exploring other L.A. sights like Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Venice Beach, all within an hour’s drive. Of course, you’ll need a great place to stay, and any of these airbnbs in Malibu should serve as a perfect basecamp for a California beach adventure.
1. Beachfront Apartment
Why you should stay: So romantic: it’s like a Parisian flat dropped onto a Malibu beach.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $475/night
It’s hard to beat this beachfront airbnb, with its wall of windows showcasing a panoramic view of the ocean and the sand just steps away. The waves are so close you can practically walk out your door and onto the surf. Spend your days taking scenic strolls on the sand, and at the end of the day, be lulled into sleep by the peaceful sounds of the waves.
You can watch for dolphins and seals from the deck and enjoy sipping wine or cocktails as the sun goes down, splashing pink and orange across the water. It’s been referred to as a Parisian flat, but on the Pacific. So you know it’s going to make for a romantic stay.
Check Availability2. Malibu Airstream Eco Retreat
Why you should stay: The ultimate wellness retreat with a panoramic ocean and mountain views.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 1 night
- Rates from: $800/night
The Malibu Airstream offers everything you could want, set on 12 acres that offer panoramic views of the Pacific as and the Santa Monica mountains from the sliding glass panels and huge deck. It’s all about being immersed in nature, providing a peaceful, isolated spot just for you.
A truly magical spot conducive for transformative experiences, it’s ideal for a special occasion or as your own private wellness getaway. It not only comes with a hot wood-fired tub and outdoor spa tucked around a tree trunk with a massage table, but an outdoor cinema and ocean-facing swing, too. The hosts can also arrange for massages and other wellness services, providing the complete set up for a small group retreat or a romantic couples’ stay. Just like all the other airbnbs in Malibu on this list, anyone can rent it – but it definitly feels like an exclusive, celebs-only getaway.
Check Availability3. Waverly’s Over the Water
Why you should stay: Listen the waves crash while you lounge in bed.
- Sleeps: 4
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $400/night
Waverly’s Over the Water is a bungalow on a secluded stretch of uncrowded beach. You can step out onto your private furnished balcony (which includes a small dining table, lounge chairs and a BBQ grill), and the ocean is all you see. It’s the perfect spot for watching dolphins swim by or working on your beach Frisbee skills.
If you want to get out and play on the Pacific, kayaks, surfboards, stand-up paddleboards, bodyboards, and wetsuits are all provided. When it’s time for sleep, you’ll be able to listen to the waves right from the comfortable king-size bed. It’s priced for two guests, so you’ll pay an extra fee for every additional guest, and $150 per pup due to the extra cleaning required.
Check Availability4. Carbon Beach Bungalow
Why you should stay: Shhh, don’t tell anyone where you’re staying: it’s on one of Malibu’s top ‘secret beaches.’
- Sleeps: 4
- Minimum stay: 1 night
- Rates from: $385/night
As the name belies, this one-bedroom bungalow is on Carbon Beach, one of Malibu’s top “secret beaches.” This one is often referred to as “Billionaires Beach,” and has more sandy beach area than other parts of the coast, even at high tide. Ideal for swimming, it stretches from east from the Malibu Pier. The beach’s nickname probably comes from the fact that you’d have to be a billionaire to afford a home here – though price-wise, this is line with many of the other beachfront airbnbs in Malibu.
The space itself offers lots of California character with a beachy vibe, a private deck, stunning views, and all the essentials for a relaxed getaway.
Check Availability5. Pirates of the Caribbean Getaway
Why you should stay: Spend the night in your favorite theme park ride (bring your own bottle of rum.)
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $185/night
If you don’t mind being a little further away from the beach, the Pirates of the Caribbean Getaway guarantees a unique stay in Topanga Canyon. It’s so impressive it was featured in Cody Simpson’s fantastically cheesy music video, “Love.” Guests have described it as “unbelievable,” “the most wonderful escape and beyond anything we could’ve imagined,” and “pure magic.” It’s one of the more affordable airbnbs in Malibu and certainly one of, if not the, quirkiest in L.A.
“
This place is pure magic. The perfect blend of rest and relaxation and adventure too! It felt like Disneyland for adults minus the crowds. Darrell is the coolest host and he has the most fantastic place we have ever stayed at via Airbnb.”
6. ShangriLaLa Tiny House
Why you should stay: The perfect spot for nature and seclusion in the Malibu area.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $199/night
Though ShangriLaLa may be a tiny house, it’s packed with enough luxurious amenities to give you treehouse-meets-hotel vibes. Surrounded by nature, it’s the perfect place for a peaceful stay. But when you do want to venture out, it’s conveniently close to scenic hiking trails and just a short drive away from Malibu beaches and other L.A. attractions.
The yard is like a tranquil sanctuary garden, complete with an outdoor shower and a hot oakwood bathtub for soaking under the stars. While the beds are inside, nearly everyhting else is outside, and the views are fabulous from inside or out. With floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll feel like you’re sleeping deep in the woods. It’s a rare find for the L.A. area.
Check Availability7. Modern Malibu Home
Why you should stay: Live like a celebrity in the Malibu Hills.
- Sleeps: 6
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $600/night
This three-bedroom home is not only an architectural standout – it’s also the ultimate retreat in Malibu, ideal for a special occasions. Guests get modern indoor and outdoor living spaces, including walls of windows that open to decks, and ocean views from every room. Since you’re surrounded by parkland, it feels like you’re staying in the park – instead of too many neighbors, you’ll have wildflowers, herbs, fruit trees, and wildlife nearby. It’s one of the best airbnbs in Malibu if you prioritize views over ocean access (though the beach is less than two miles away.)
Check Availability“Beautiful views, seriously incredible – this is the reason to stay here. Sun rise and sun set are so beautiful looking over the ocean.”
8. Point Dume Malibu Spartan
Why you should stay: Cool Airstream-style aesthetic in a tranquil location.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $149/night
Enjoy a unique stay in an vintage travel trailer that offers a seriously serene setting for relaxation but is within walking distance to local Malibu beaches. In the evening, look forward to igniting a flame in the fire pit and hanging out in the comfortable seating under the stars, with twinkling lights adding to the magical atmosphere. It’s a great place to make your California hippie dreams come true, at least for a few days.
Inside, you’ll have plenty of space for a comfortable stay, complete with a shower with hot water, TV, Wi-Fi, and a kitchenette stocked with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.
Check Availability9. Angelview
Why you should stay: A brand-new house with access to private hiking trails.
- Sleeps: 3
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $361/night
This guesthouse offers breathtaking views in every direction from its hilltop perch, from sweeping vistas of the Pacific to the Santa Monica Mountains, Point Dume, Catalina Island, and even L.A. And fortunately, it’s only a five-minute drive to the beach in case you want to check out what the host promises is a “secret surf spot.” But you won’t even need to get in the car to enjoy hiking or biking, since scenic trails start right on the property – and it’s dog-friendly, so bring the pup along, too.
For solo travelers or couples seeking peace, quiet, and or a comfortable place to relax, this may be the best of the airbnbs in Malibu for your next stay.
Check AvailabilityPlan Your Malibu Trip
- Learn to surf or enhance your current skills by taking lessons from a pro surf instructor at Malibu Makos.
- Search through the tide pools for colorful starfish, sea urchins, hermit crabs, and other creatures at Leo Carillo State Park.
- Catch a sunset from one of the best vantage points along the coast at Point Dume.
- Learn about Malibu’s history by touring the Adamson House, which reveals a glimpse of life in California in the early 20th century.
- Shop the Malibu Country Mart, a great outdoor mall with frequent celebrity sightings.
- Rent a kayak at Malibu Surf Shack to paddle out in the water while watching for dolphins.
- Go wine tasting and enjoy frequent themed events like Thursday movie screenings or Sunday yoga and mimosas at Malibu Wines,
- Hike to the exterior set of the long-running former TV series, “M*A*S*H” at Malibu Creek State Park.
Find Your Next California Adventure
Sign up for our free email to join thousands of readers getting epic travel and Airbnb ideas every week!
