Malibu Magic in 1 day: Studios & Beach Bliss

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by Amelia

May 8, 2024 · 1 min read

Malibu 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a whirlwind adventure through the heart of Malibu with this one-day itinerary that promises a blend of excitement and relaxation. Start your day at the iconic Universal Studios Hollywood, where you'll be immersed in the magic of movies. Spend your day exploring the various movie-themed rides, shows, and attractions that bring your favorite films to life. With a full day at the theme park, you'll have ample time to experience the thrills and spills of this cinematic playground. After a day of action, unwind at the tranquil Santa Monica State Beach. Bask in the golden California sun for a couple of hours, stroll along the soft sands, and let the sound of the waves cap off your perfect day. This itinerary is designed to give you a taste of Malibu's diverse attractions, from the adrenaline rush of a world-class theme park to the soothing ambiance of a picturesque beach. Get ready for a day packed with entertainment and relaxation, all within the stunning locale of Malibu.

Top 6 Hotels in Malibu
TOP 1
Homewood Suites by Hilton Agoura Hills
Homewood Suites by Hilton Agoura Hills
hotelStar
3/5
121 reviews
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TOP 2
Good Nite Inn Calabasas
Good Nite Inn Calabasas
hotelStar
2/5
131 reviews
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TOP 3
Hyatt Regency Westlake
Hyatt Regency Westlake
hotelStar
3/5
104 reviews
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Hilton Garden Inn Calabasas
Hilton Garden Inn Calabasas
hotelStar
3/5
114 reviews
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Residence Inn Los Angeles Westlake Village
Residence Inn Los Angeles Westlake Village
hotelStar
3/5
91 reviews
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Best Western Plus Thousand Oaks Inn
Best Western Plus Thousand Oaks Inn
hotelStar
3/5
108 reviews
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1 Day in Malibu Itinerary: Day 1

1

Universal Studios Hollywood

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Kickstart your Malibu adventure with a full day of thrills at Universal Studios Hollywood, where the allure of the silver screen comes to life. As the first stop in your itinerary, immerse yourself in a cinematic journey, exploring a theme park that's both an active studio and a land of entertainment. From heart-pounding rides and shows to a real working movie studio, it's a place where every visitor can feel like a star. Don't miss the chance to take the legendary Studio Tour and get an insider's peek into the magic of movie-making.

Attraction Info

  • 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 days
  • Open 9:00am-9:00pm on 04/21;Open 9:00am-9:00pm on 05/05;Open 9:00am-9:00pm on 05/11;Open 9:00am-9:00pm on 05/19;Open from 05/25-05/26,9:00am-9:00pm;Open from 04/27-04/28,9:00am-10:00pm;Open 9:00am-10:00pm on 05/04;Open 8:00am-10:00pm on 04/20;Open 8:00am-10:00pm on 05/18;Open 9:00am-8:00pm on 05/12;Open from 05/27-05/31,9:00am-8:00pm;Open 9:00am-7:00pm on 04/19;Open 9:00am-7:00pm on 04/22;Open 9:00am-7:00pm on 04/26;Open 9:00am-7:00pm on 04/29;Open from 05/01-05/03,9:00am-7:00pm;Open 9:00am-7:00pm on 05/10;Open 9:00am-7:00pm on 05/17;Open 9:00am-7:00pm on 05/20;Open from 05/23-05/24,9:00am-7:00pm;Open from 04/23-04/25,10:00am-7:00pm;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 04/30;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 05/06;Open from 05/08-05/09,10:00am-7:00pm;Open from 05/13-05/16,10:00am-7:00pm;Open from 05/21-05/22,10:00am-7:00pm;Open 9:00am-6:00pm on 05/07

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Vegetable
Vegetable
5/5 · 2 reviews
0.8 km from attraction
SunCafe Organic
SunCafe Organic
4.3/5 · 8 reviews
1.2 km from attraction
Veggie House
Veggie House
5/5 · 1 review
1.2 km from attraction
Smoke House Restaurant
Smoke House Restaurant
/5 · 0 reviews
1.4 km from attraction
Angelino's Trattoria
Angelino's Trattoria
5/5 · 1 review
1.8 km from attraction
Mantee Cafe
Mantee Cafe
4/5 · 2 reviews
1.5 km from attraction
32 min,36.3 km
2

Santa Monica State Beach

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After a day filled with action and excitement, unwind at the iconic Santa Monica State Beach. As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, stroll along the soft sands or take a leisurely bike ride along the beachfront. This picturesque setting is the perfect spot to reflect on the day's adventures and watch the sky paint a vibrant canvas of colors as the day comes to a close. With two hours to soak in the coastal charm, it's an idyllic ending to your day in Malibu.

Attraction Info

  • California, United States
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open 24 hours

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Mélisse Restaurant
Mélisse Restaurant
4.3/5 · 11 reviews
1.6 km from attraction
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.  (SANTA MONICA PIER)
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. (SANTA MONICA PIER)
4.4/5 · 42 reviews
0.6 km from attraction
Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe
Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe
4/5 · 2 reviews
1.5 km from attraction
Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
4/5 · 1 review
1.3 km from attraction
The Albright
The Albright
4.8/5 · 5 reviews
0.6 km from attraction
True Food Kitchen
True Food Kitchen
4.5/5 · 4 reviews
0.7 km from attraction
3.7/566 Reviews
3.7/566 Reviews
Santa Monica
Santa Monica
|0.37km from Santa Monica State Beach
4.5/543 Reviews
4.5/5Excellent43 Reviews
Santa Monica
Santa Monica
|0.42km from Santa Monica State Beach

Top Things to Do in Malibu-2024

TOP 1
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood
4.8/5 · 5,706 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 37,542 review
Highlights:

Join the 60th Anniversary celebration of the world-famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood, April 26 - August 11. Don’t miss the all-new experience that lets you step off the classic tram and onto the studio backlot for a limited time. Explore an iconic film set, take part in immersive photo-ops, experience tour enhancements, and enjoy themed food with collectible merchandise.


·Explore one of the largest movie street scenes in Hollywood and get a behind-the-scenes look at film production

·Watch the world’s most exquisitely produced live water stunts and explosion performances, creating movie-like intense scenes

·Enjoy a fantastic journey in the wizarding world of Harry Potter and explore the mysterious Hogwarts Castle

·Enter the world of Super Mario™ on Super Nintendo,ready to experience Mario Kart™ like never before

·With the popularity of the movie "Despicable Me", the Minions are now big stars in Universal Studios. Follow the Minions, Gru and his daughters to experience a wonderful experience full of touching and laugh

·Enjoy the thrilling roller coaster and experience the most realistic movie scenes


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TOP 2
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica State Beach
4.6/5 · 554 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 6,747 review
Highlights:
Santa Monica Beach is a popular seaside holiday retreat in Los Angeles. Boasting turquoise water and pristine sand beaches, this is a place teeming with waterfront restaurants, bars and shops, making it a site bustling with action both day and night. With magnificent seascape much adored by Hollywood film directors, this is where many movies and TV shows have been filmed. Santa Monica Beach sits at the end of Route 66, a road of great historic value that traverses across the US from east to west. As a cultural symbol, the signpost of Route 66 is a photo takers’ mecca.
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TOP 3
Hollywood
Hollywood
4.6/5 · 467 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,423 review
Highlights:
Located in the northwest of Los Angeles, Hollywood is a place-name concept known for its well-developed film and television entertainment industry. It is the cradle of American cinema and has become synonymous with American cinema. Because it faces the sea in the west and is close to the desert, with less rain and pleasant scenery, it is a very ideal filming location, so it has attracted Columbia, Paramount, Universal and other companies to shoot movies here. When it comes to Hollywood, the most famous one is the nine English letters "HOLLYWOOD" on the Hollywood Hills. It is the sign of Hollywood. Standing on Hollywood Boulevard and looking north, you can see the huge sign on the hill. Hollywood, which has developed because of movies, still has many movie-related attractions. You can come to the Walk of Fame to find the handprints of your favorite stars and take pictures with movie characters on the road; go to Universal Studios to watch a water stunt show; go to Disneyland for free Take a group photo; or visit the Chinese Theater and Dolby Theater, or you can take a stroll on Sunset Boulevard, admire the tall and straight palm trees, and then stroll on the Santa Monica Beach to see the daily sunset night view
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TOP 4
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
4.5/5 · 1,103 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 17,852 review
Highlights:
The Hollywood Walk of Fame has over 2,000 star emblems inscribed with the names of celebrities in recognition of the honorees' contribution to the media and entertainment industry. The star emblems fall into five categories, i.e., classic film camera (representing motion picture directors and actors), television receiver (representing anchors), phonograph record (representing singers), radio microphone (representing radio broadcasters), and comedy/tragedy masks (representing theater/stage performers). The Hollywood Walk of Fame attracts film lovers from around the world. Locating your idol from among the stars and taking a picture with them is something you cannot miss when you visit LA.
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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Malibu 1 Day Itinerary