What do you think when you hear "Malibu, California"?

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sky

Malibu Barbie

Terri S

Well, before I had seen it...Malibu barbie and Ken, of course. Sorta synominous with Hollywood, I guess.

Now it is practically closer than I want it to be...what I have seen it to be it is a bunch of expensive real estate in an area that is prone to wild fires and mudslides. A million plus dollar house could be a beach shack. People pay 15 grand a month to rent a house in Malibu. It has no personality from a town perspective...I think people just go there to get a glimpse of a celebrity and then say they did. The sea water is dirty....from a microbiological standpoint...and for my southern blood too damn cold to get into except for maybe a few hot weeks in the summer. During the summer the beaches are crowded with moms and kids (locals from around the area) and if you decide to get out and body surf...watch out for the wall of boogie boarders that caught the same wave you thought you were going to catch and you end up diving under the wave to avoid being slammed with boogie boards.

The life guards are nice and friendly and there are lots of facilities for beachgoers. The drive to the beach via Topanga canyon Rd, Las Virgines or Kanan Rds are all dramatic scenery as you drive thru these canyons. One of my favorite spots is Point Dume....as it has a bluff that overlooks the ocean and you can see the whales migrate in the spring.

That's my piece on Malibu.

dvkkrueger@sbcglobal.net

barbie and surfing

Kristen

when i went to Malibu i was little surprised, it is beautiful and definitely more low key than los angles, santa monica, etc. the beaches are really pretty and there is a bunch of good restaurants in the area. my favorite being Nobu. I would love to attend pepperdine university one day, or own property in Malibu. its really really different than main stream LA in my opinion. its a really nice place to just "get away" from the crazy city life in los angeles.

***

i think of Barbie in her pink car picking up hot Ken dolls!

Jackie

Well, I actually live here. It's a small beach town that was popularized when celebrities started moving here. When people think of Malibu, all they hear is Britney Spears or Mel Gibson, or "multi-million dollar houses up in flames" (since Malibu is a fire-prone area).

Some common stereotypical things that come to people's minds are:
filthy rich/ spoiled, on drugs, blond surfers and the whole "dude" slang associated with it.

These stereotypes are completely distort reality, like most stereotypes about any other region (like the stereotype that people from the South are all ignorant rednecks).
Sure, there are rich stoners in Malibu, but there are also educated people and middle-class people, etc.

malibu98

I live in Malibu actually moved from the east. I have really enjoyed it here, I am a big fan of the beach and needed a low key place since I've lived in the city near lots of colleges for the past 6 years so it worked well for me.

I've found locals/visitors at bars to be very friendly and welcoming, but I am generally a friendly/open-minded person. There are definitely a good amount who don't welcome tourists walking around on the beaches and whatnot though and a obviously a good amount of really wealthy entertainment types.

The winter seems like a bit of a ghost town to me, a lot of the bars/restaurants close early or are pretty dead since many of the homes are vacation houses and vacant at that time. I was lucky enough to score a nice apt on the beach near the pier, it is super expensive living here but I lived in the city in an expensive area before so I'm kind of used to it.

When you're visiting, be sure to drive down PCH, check out Mugu rock, go for a hike- there are some incredible views on Sandstone Peak/Mt. Allen and it's a short hike, I usually bring friends there. Adamson House if you're into museums/gardens. The Malibu Inn and Dukes, Paradise Cove are good for a meal...or Googies for a lunch or more cafe style meal.

Musica

Well, there's the glamorous celebrity version of Malibu that you read about in tabloids. There's the old-time beach bum surf culture you remember from the movie Gidget...but neither tell the full Malibu story.

For me, when I visited Malibu last Spring, I saw a place that was very much like a small town. I was surprised at all the nature there...even though it's so close to L.A. It was such a treat to see the dolphins swimming so free in the ocean as I walked along Carbon Beach around 7 in the morning! Also, lucked out and found some really awesome shells to take home with me, too.

When it comes to the residents, folks think of stereotypical blonde "surfer" guys and girls and snobs covered head to toe in Hollister or "bling", and there were a few of those there.

When I was at the library there, I remember the reference librarian said to me "Malibu is a small town where everyone knows everyone else" and I discovered that to be very true. It's small, but not at all insular. Most of the "locals" I met were very friendly to me and not at all snobby! While it was clear many of them were indeed very successful people (including a few of the celebs I actually ran into at Starbucks)...ALL of them were very nice and welcoming to me, even though they knew I wasn't a local and I wasn't rich.

The biggest and most pleasant surprise for me during my stay? How many of the men there actually flirted with me, despite the fact I am black, fat, over 45, and have short curly natural hair! Nope, you don't have to look like Pamela Anderson to catch their eye! What an ego boost that was, let me tell you!

Only real downside was that you need a car to get around properly. I was on mass transit, and so it was kinda tough but I did alright. Also it is pretty expensive. A box of my favorite herbal tea is nearly $4 more than in my hometown...not including the sales tax! So definitely save up to get the most out of your stay.

Bottom line: if you go there, try to blend in with the locals but respect people's privacy. If you meet any stars, talk to them like normal people and don't act all like a starstruck tourist armed with an autograph book or a papparazzi with your camera. If you do those things, then you can't go wrong.

My experience there was so positive that I actually wrote a song about it...and I'm going back there again on vacation this coming May...I can hardly wait!

Paris Hilton

hmmm, the only thing that I think of is the great Sunday Brunch right on the beach at Paradise Cove....yum....The other stuff you can find anywhere....

Paulina

I have been there, I live nearby. It's a nice beach in California. Just a regular beach, nothing special. The stereotypes you here are just from entertainment; movies, shows, etc.

HoffDNA

Silicone and botox

JULIJEWLS

Malibu's beaches! Such as Point Dume, Zuma, Surfrider Beach, Malibu Lagoon....then there is PCH (Pacific Coast Hwy) ....Baywatch, celebraties, nices cars, beautiful houses.

wiwa lover!

warm!!!!!!!!!!!!!
drama!!!!!!!!!!!!
MOneyz!!!!!!!!!!
blond hair!!!!!!!
sharks!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
sharks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...
stuff..........oranges................
hippies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
surfers!????
same thing as hippies!
palm tree's
implants
90210
im ascared of sharks and hippies

Michelle N

I use to think Baywatch! And a beautiful blue beach! Hahahaha dont get your hopes up! It is not at all what they make it out to be, I have been there in the summer and last weekend and it seems like a dirty big lake. It was nothing what I expected.

Danie

rich people

Lukas' Mommy 3/27/09

its super nice and rich there... nice houses. rude people,not all but its the stereo type thing.. but i like it there. close to hollywood, lots of smokeshops, and super dank.

gigglesâ™¥

i was born in orange county california, everyone expects me to be a surfer and some kinds of preppy person
but i'm not

farahwonderland2005

I think of weird people hanging out at the beach. Girls in bikinis roller skating. Drug use all around.

shortieroksmysox

i thinkk its cool
my tia's went there because my cousin is marrying someone from there. and they dont seem mean or anything. my tia said it was beautiful.

jamieluvsu

i think of beaches and partiesss
i love it there its so funnn

cop350zx

Beach, actors' huge homes, mud slides, fires, and DUI's.

brittleblitz

Malibu Barbie.

Amelia:]

The first thing that pops into my head is FIRE!!!!!! Duck and cover...oh wait...stop drop and roll???? Second thing is celebrities.....

Eileen J

Sunshine and beachy and a perfect place for Ken and Barbie to live! I was never there....but want to visit California before it falls into the ocean as so many predict..IT probably will when I go there!!