A Day in Malibu

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Beach weather is right around the corner, and I figured why not do some advance scouting? So the family and I headed out to that classic Southern California beach town, Malibu. Here’s a taste of our day:

Strolling the Pier and Hitting the Beach

We kicked things off with a quick stroll in the fresh air, and what better spot than the legendary Malibu Pier, home of surfers and starlets since the ‘50s. In the summer it can be a little crowded but today we had it almost to ourselves. The Malibu Farm has two restaurants on the pier: a full-service location at the start of the pier and a cafe at the end. We strolled out to the end and got coffee and hot chocolate at the cafe while we watched the waves and fishermen. Whether you’re renting beach gear or just surveying the surf, the pier is a good place to get your bearings and start your day.

Heading north from the pier we explored the tide pools at the entrance to the Malibu Lagoon, just below the famous Adamson House. On big wave days this is a great spot for watching the surfers, but our morning was spent mucking around in the sand looking for shells and chasing the occasional sandpiper. A really nice spot for kids on a day without crowds.

Malibu Seafood and Hiking

For years, Malibu Seafood has been one of our favorite seafood spots. It’s right across from the beach along PCH, with both a seafood market and a restaurant. Everything is great, from the chowder to the swordfish burger, but the fried platters are our favorites. This time we went for lunch and got the fried seafood combo, with the kids loving the shrimp and scallops. (The scallops have just the right pop of juiciness after you crunch through the outside).

Next door to Malibu Seafood is a parking lot with a trailhead leading into Corral Canyon Park. If you’re going to take a real hike you should pay the parking fee, but we had about a ten minute wait for our food so we decided to take a quick walk to check it out. It’s an easy trail that climbs quickly to give you a nice view of the beach, and if you’re up for a bigger adventure you can follow the looping trail deep into the heart of the last undeveloped canyon in the area.

Malibu Country Mart

The Malibu Country Mart is a local institution that could only exist in Malibu. It’s a mix of high-end boutiques and cafes with a strong beach vibe and plenty of celebrity sightings. There’s also an amazing playground for the kids, a hitching post in case you prefer to do your shopping on horseback, and plenty of places to just relax and take in the unique atmosphere. We wandered through exploring the many nooks and crannies, and vowed to return another day with empty stomachs so we could sample it all.

Malibu Beach Inn

We stayed at the Malibu Beach Inn, nestled tightly between the PCH and the beach. All the rooms have balconies and beach views, and the location can’t be beat. The beach is literally right downstairs and the staff has beach chairs and towels ready to go at a moment’s notice. Aside from the view, what’s possibly the best part about the rooms? Toto toilets! If you’re not familiar with the cult of Toto, I’ll just say this: there are lots of buttons and features that are guaranteed to make your kids (or you) squeal and giggle the first time they sit down to try it. The Malibu Beach Inn is currently offering a “Stay Two Nights, Get a Third Night Free” promotion, so if you want to check it out for yourself now is a great time to do it.

For dinner we ate at the Malibu Beach Inn’s restaurant, the Carbon Beach Club. The terrace juts out over the beach, and when it’s chilly outside they’re quick with the blankets and heaters. In addition to their full dinner menu, they offer a private diner featuring filet mignon and lobster tails, and of course an amazing “picnic by the beach” option.

We were lucky enough to meet the hotel’s resident mixology master, Josh Curtis, who invented the Playa Access and other drinks that capture the feel of Malibu. Josh shared a couple of his favorite drinks, as well as the secret history of the Mai Tai try Josh’s recipe (recipe below). As the sun set and the cool air set in, we retreated to our room and wound down in front of the fireplace. It was a cozy end to a full day in Malibu.

Where to Stay on Your Trip to the Beach

If you’re interested in booking your own Malibu getaway, here are a few great hotel options. Many are currently offering promotions that can extend your stay or provide free amenities.

mai tai with an ocean view

mai tai with an ocean view

Enjoy a cocktail courtesy of Josh Curtis:
‘1944 Trader Vic style’ Mai Tai

1 oz Appleton 12 yr Jamaican rum
1 oz Clemente Martinique Rum
.75 oz lime juice
.5 oz Liquid Alchemist Orgeat
.25 oz Curaçao (orange liqueur)
Crushed ice
Add crushed ice to the shaker and ‘roll’ shake. This tasty Tiki beverage requires a bit of dilution in the flavor profile. Garnish with a lime wheel & activated mint bouquet.

Josh Curtis offers virtual cocktail making classes. Tell him Woodlyn Travel sent you :)

Dreaming of England

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As I’ve posted recently, it’s a great time to start planning 2021 travel. There are tons of deals out there, especially on airfare. In fact, I just booked a client two round-trip, business-class tickets on Delta to London, plus 10 days of a rental car for $2700. If you’re looking to book flights to Europe it’s a great time to do it, and it reminded me of a trip my special travel correspondent Andrew took to the UK pre-pandemic. Lots of American tourists never make it out of London, but he spent time in Bristol, a culturally vibrant city in Southwest England. I asked Andrew to give us some highlights of his trip:

The Royal Standard of England

http://www.rsoe.co.uk/

I flew into London, and my first stop on the way to Bristol was the Royal Standard of England, a historic pub in the village of Beaconsfield. It’s billed as the oldest pub in England, and with your first glimpse of the stone walls, low ceilings, and traditional décor you’ll understand why. The food is traditional pub faire- try the whitebait (fries with eyes) or beef & ale pie. There are plenty of beers and ciders to sample, but the atmosphere is really what you’re there for, and it definitely delivers. There’s even a large outdoor seating area if the weather cooperates, which, hey, it’s England so maybe don’t count on it. The pub’s a bit out of the way, but this does prevent it from being overrun by tourists. If the traditional pub experience is what you’re looking for, and you’re up for a bit of an adventure, this is the place to go.

Walking Tour: Clifton Suspension Bridge & Ashton Court Estate

https://www.cliftonbridge.org.uk/
https://www.bristol.gov.uk/en/museums-parks-sports-culture/ashton-court-estate

Bristol is very manageable on foot, and I always like to get my bearings when I arrive in a new place, so one of my first stops was the Clifton Suspension Bridge. It’s one of Bristol’s most prominent landmarks, spanning the Avon Gorge west of the city. Built in 1864, it offers a dramatic view of the city and the Avon River as it flows to the Atlantic. Crossing the bridge to the west leads to the gates to the Ashton Court Estate, which has history dating back to the William the Conqueror and is now owned by the City of Bristol. The estate is home to miles of walking and riding paths, a disc golf course, a deer park (yes, that’s a herd of deer living in a park), some very spooky woods, and Ashton Court Manor, which now houses a restaurant and event spaces. If you start at the bridge it’s a fairly easy 1-2 hr downhill walk through the estate to the parking lot at the manor, where you can keep walking or hop a bus back into the city center. The bridge is worth the trip for the view, and if it’s a nice day and you’ve got the time, the estate is good for a taste of old English manor life.

Playground Coffee House

https://playgroundbristol.co.uk/

Bristol is a university town, and there’s no shortage of pubs, lounges, and other hangouts. But my favorite hidden gem is the Playground Coffee House, which serves double duty as a coffee shop by day and cocktail lounge by night. (Although you can feel free to mix those up as required.) It’s a cozy, comfortable spot with board games, swings, a huge tea selection, and a treacherous staircase leading to the bathroom. The drinks, whether they’re of the caffeinated or alcoholic variety, are strong and lovingly made.

Mission Pizza

http://www.missionpizza.co.uk/
http://www.lefthandedgiant.com/

This one’s a bit of a moving target at the moment, but if you can find them, Mission Pizza is some of the best pizza I’ve had on either side of the Atlantic. When I visited they were set up in a tent outside a brewery at the end of a long, dark alley. They make a half-dozen artisan, wood-fired pizzas, including vegetarian varieties, and every one I tried was great. They’ve now set up what are hopefully permanent digs in the Left Handed Giant Brewpub, in a cool neighborhood along the water, so once dining in is available again this will be a great alternative to the “traditional” English experience. Because who needs tradition when you’ve got beer and pizza, right?

The Farm

https://www.facebook.com/thefarmpub/
http://www.swcityfarm.co.uk/

Located on the north side of Bristol, The Farm is a casual, family-friendly pub and restaurant that sits just down the street from St. Werburgh’s City Farm, a small farm with goats, sheep, and other animals that’s open to visitors. The pub has lots of outdoor seating and a relaxed vibe, so on a nice afternoon it’s easy to spend a couple hours there. Hit it on a Sunday to order a traditional Sunday Roast, which involves a whole lot of meat and potatoes and is guaranteed to pound your hangover into submission. If you have kids, or just need a break from the city, a walk through the City Farm and then a stop at the pub is a good way to unwind. Don’t confuse the Farm Pub with the Farm Café, which sits right next to it.

Other nearby suggestions:

The historic town of Bath, famous for its ancient Roman spas, is just a 20-minute train ride from Bristol. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa is an ideal base for your explorations there, featuring stunning gardens and luxurious accommodations.

If you’re looking to stop over in London for a few days (and why wouldn’t you?), you can’t go wrong staying at The Savoy. It’s one of London’s most celebrated hotels, famous for is extraordinary amenities and décor.

And remember, when you book any of these hotels with Woodlyn Travel, you get amenities like a room upgrade, daily breakfast, food & beverage credit, and more!

Whether you want to explore Bristol like Andrew did or check out another spot in the UK, contact me and we’ll put together the right itinerary for you. Let’s talk!

About Andrew
Andrew is a freelance writer, producer, and marketing consultant. An Emmy nominated producer, he has written or produced material for ESPN, HGTV, NBC, and independent films. He can be reached at afirchau@gmail.com.