Malibu is home to families, migrating birds, the migrating film industry, horse lovers, ocean lovers, hikers, farmers, dreamers, surfers, and fishermen….
Malibu is also home to Pepperdine University, Hughes Research Laboratories, and the Serra Retreat (a Monastery).
The Malibu (as locals call it) stretches east to west from Coastline drive to the Ventura County line (27+ miles).

Topanga, Malibu and Ventura are famed for board surfing, Surfin' Movies, Beach Boys, beautiful coves, beaches, and endless sets of waves.
Incorporated in 1990, the city of Malibu shares a public school system (the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District) There are also parochial and private schools. The new city relies on Los Angeles County services for Fire. There is a local Sheriff's Dept. and Courthouse. Malibu, as yet, has no sewer system.

Malibu boasts several dry, sandy beaches populated by elegant, architectural beach residences to crumbling 1930's beach getaways used by yesteryear's Hollywood famous.

A must see for residents and visitors alike is the historic ADAMSON HOUSE and the MALIBU LAGOON MUSEUM is located at 23200 Pacific Coast Highway. Hours are 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Wednesday – Saturday. Docent led tours are available; the last tour is at 2:00 PM. Tuesday is reserved for groups and reservations may be obtained by calling (310) 456-8432. There is a parking lot adjacent to the museum, as parking is prohibited on the museum grounds. The Gift Shop hours are 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and you can reach them at (310) 456-9378.

Homes on "dry, sandy beaches" and private sandy coves can sell for between $3Mil to $75Mil depending on the ocean front footage. Examples of "dry, sandy beaches" are La Costa Beach and Carbon Beach, Malibu Rd.

The Malibu Colony, a 24-hour guard-gated community has both beach side and land side homes behind the gates. The land side homes have deeded access to the beach. As of Mid-July 2009 there have been 10 beach home sales ranging in price from $2.5Mil to 17.5Mil (Paradise Cove vicinity).
There are several bluff areas with dry beaches below. Often these properties have private tennis courts and pools and may be only steps to private, secluded beaches.
Broad Beach Road, just past Zuma Beach, is renowned for its deep sandy beach and signature dunes. A true escape from the bustle of the city, this popular residential beach area has a romantic and historical Hollywood past. A teardown on an average lot size can sell for $5Mil.

The Coastal Commission and the City of Malibu have stringent requirements for building a home on the beach. Septic systems are required.

Ocean front homes with wet or no beach can be purchased for $1.6Mil.+/-

Land-side properties command prices from approximately $500,000 to $30 Mil depending on the acreage, view and home plus amenities.

In spite of fires, mudslides, high tides, and earthquakes, Malibu properties continue to appreciate.

I recommend leasing in the area before purchasing. There is no "average rental." Furnished beach homes rent for +/- $15,000-$60,000 per month, during the summer. The lease terms may be as short as 30-60 days. However, insiders know that the best time of year to rent is from September to May. Annual rental prices are about half the price.

Despite inevitable annual disruptions from flooding, causing much inconvenience, there is nowhere in Southern California so eclectically populated or optimistic.