Escondido Beach and Latigo, Malibu, CA

Escondido Beach and Latigo is the central Malibu stretch between Point Dume and Pepperdine, where canyons like Latigo and Solstice run down from the mountains to a string of narrow beaches. It feels more spread out than the Civic Center to the east, with houses tucked into ridgelines and coves instead of lined up along a commercial strip. Up Latigo Canyon Road and the side streets above the highway, homes range from older canyon houses to large newer places set on ridges with ocean views, many on an acre or more. The Malibu Beach RV Park on the bluff offers a more modest way to wake up to the same view. Two well-known waterfall hikes start right here. Solstice Canyon follows a creek past the stone ruins of an old house to a small waterfall, and the Escondido Canyon Trail leads to Escondido Falls, which runs best after winter rain. Dan Blocker Beach, also known as Corral Beach, is a small public beach at the mouth of Corral Canyon. Two places carry the local food reputation. Malibu Seafood is a roadside shack on PCH known for fish and chips and fresh shrimp cocktails eaten at outdoor tables across from the ocean. Geoffrey's, farther west on the bluff, is the dress-up dinner spot, with seafood and patio tables looking over the water. The tradeoff is that Escondido Beach and Latigo has almost no walkable errands, and canyon roads like Latigo are narrow and winding. PCH is the main artery, so an accident or roadwork anywhere nearby can stall every trip. Brush-covered canyons also mean fire preparation is a regular part of home upkeep. Many residents can be on a creekside trail within minutes of leaving home and back on their own patio watching the sunset before dinner.