Ahhh… Summer in Malibu. PCH is packed; surfers are double parked at the pier; shopping spaces at the center are few and far between; motorbikes split lanes, oblivious of noise regulation laws; and teams of cyclists compete for every square inch of asphalt. Sound like fun? Only if you like lots of traffic and lots of company.
But there are a few hidden gems where it is easy to get away from the madding crowds.
You’ll find a bit of tranquility at the Getty Villa, where history comes alive. Modeled after an ancient palace in Herculaneum, it features a sparkling pool and splendid gardens and galleries filled with Roman and Greek antiquities.
Now on display at the Getty Villa is a bit of modern art: Plato in LA: Contemporary Artists’ Visions, featuring art from such names as Jeff Koons and Paul McCarthy, among others, who “consider Plato’s impact on the contemporary world.”
If modern art isn’t your thing, there are also architectural and garden tours and the museum’s permanent collection to enjoy.
While you’re at it, stop by the famous Adamson House with its extensive offerings of local history and lore, and wonderful Malibu Pottery tiles. Architecture and landscaping are also world-class at this little old house near the Colony.
So, forget the mobs get out there and enjoy some real Malibu highlights.