Begin your Malibu tour here, before you're covered in sunscreen and sand. Besides, although admission to the Getty is free, you must schedule your visit online and print out your timed tickets at home. Walk-ins are not allowed. Arrive on time--tickets are held for just 10 minutes after your scheduled time. After exploring the villa, the rest of you... Morer day is free for beach activities.

Allow at least two hours (and much more if you're studying art or architecture) to explore the grounds and galleries of this museum, which houses thousands of antiquities from 6,500 B.C. to A.D. 400 representing the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome and Etruria. The outdoor gardens and fountains alone are worth a visit. The villa is one of two Paul Getty museums. The much larger Getty Center is located in Los Angeles.

After picking up a map in the lobby, watch a 12-minute video in the museum theater about J. Paul Getty, who built the Getty Villa on property near his home in Pacific Palisades. His vision was to build a museum modeled after the Villa dei Papiri, a Roman country house in Herculaneum that was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The attention to the villa's architectural detail is amazing.

Various tours are offered but you can easily explore on your own. Outdoor pathways and indoor hallways lead from one area to the next. Stroll along the outside gardens studded with lavish fountains. The smaller East Garden features a fountain made with shells and theater masks. The larger, formal garden has sitting areas and bronze statues. Follow the pathway to the herb garden, planted with species from the Mediterranean region.

If you're visiting with kids, go to the Family Forum, a main floor room furnished with hands-on discovery stations to acquaint youngsters with Getty artifacts.

The second floor houses statues, pottery, jewelry, photographs, books and sarcophaguses. Don't miss the mummy of Herakleides. Photography without a flash is allowed.

There's a cafe at the villa but you may want to save your appetite for beach dining. Exiting the parking lot, notice the driveway paved with large, irregular stones simulating the ancient streets of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
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17985 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Pacific Palisades
310-440-7300
www.getty.edu
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Admission Free
Parking $15
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Hours
Thursday-Sunday 10am-5pm
Wednesday Hours vary
Closed Tuesday

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After leaving the Getty, drive about seven miles north on PCH to this outdoor retail center for free parking and a smorgasbord of dining and shopping options. From PCH, turn right onto Cross Creek Road (pass Starbucks). Turn left in the parking lot or continue to the stop sign at Civic Center Way and turn left to park.

John's Garden, a... More casual snack shop and deli, is popular with locals for its tasty sandwiches, soups and salads. Take the food to go or eat at one of the outside tables. There's a play area for kids.

The shopping center carries everything from beauty supplies and chocolates to jewelry and designer apparel.
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3835 Cross Creek Rd.
Malibu
www.malibucountrymart.com


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From the shopping center, you can either get back in your car and drive to a nearby beach parking lot (only chance of this is on a weekday) or walk back to PCH.

Cross the highway at the intersection and turn left to reach the historic Malibu Pier. You're backtracking a bit but it's a short walk and worth the ocean views and fresh air.... More

From the pier, you get awesome views of the Malibu coastline. Hang out to watch surfers at Surfrider Beach. You can also book boat excursions and shop for Malibu souvenirs at Malibu Beach Supply Co., located at the end of the pier.

There are two restaurants on the pier. Ruby's Shake Shack serves up burgers and shakes, and the Beachcomber cafe offers an assortment of seafood, fish, chicken and steak dishes.
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23000 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Malibu
www.malibusportfishing.com
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Here's a good place to spend a couple of hours soaking up local history and trying your hand at catching a wave. The historic Adamson House, wetlands and Surfrider Beach share common ground. The entrance for paid parking (or find free street parking) and to access the nature area is on Cross Creek Road. Walk east across the bridge and follow the di... Morert lane.

Surfrider Beach is the most famous surfing spot in L.A. County. Swarms of surfers (of all levels) congregate here. It's fun to watch them. And if you're feeling adventurous, there's no better place to give it a try.

The conditions at this beach are ideal for learning to hang 10. It's best to make a reservation in advance. There are several surf shops in the area. Malibu Surf Shack (www.malibusurfshack.com) is located across the street. Cost: 90-minute private lesson, $125.

On the west side of the Malibu Creek Bridge, you'll find picnic tables, a nature center and saltwater marsh. That's what makes this area unique. It's where Malibu Creek and the ocean converge.

The Adamson House, a National Historic Site, is known for its gardens, Malibu Potteries tiles and Malibu artifacts. Completed in 1929, the residence overlooks the Malibu Pier and Surfrider Beach. If you'd like to take a look inside the mansion, you'll need to join a guided tour.

The Malibu Lagoon Museum, which documents Malibu's history through photographs and artifacts, adjoins the house.
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23200 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Malibu
www.adamsonhouse.org
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Adamson tour admission (cash only)
17 and older $7
2-16 $2
Tour hours
Wednesday-Saturday 11am-3pm
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Malibu Lagoon State Beach hours
Daily 8am-sunset

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If you're not wiped out yet, consider driving a few miles north to Zuma Beach, one of the largest and most popular L.A. beaches.

Staffed with lifeguards, Zuma ranks among the cleanest beaches in terms of water conditions in L.A. County.

This is a great beach for everyone but especially families. There's plenty of room to ... Moretoss a football or play volleyball on the wide, sandy beaches.

Amenities include two food huts serving grilled burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads, chips, candy and drinks. There are also restrooms and outdoor showers.

Parking is available in connecting lots for about $10. The lots are accessed from both the left and right sides of PCH.
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Address:
3000 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Malibu
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Hours
Daily 8am-sunset

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For a change of scenery or to escape PCH traffic, consider hopping on Topanga Canyon Road if you're heading back to the San Fernando Valley. The winding road, which has been the scene for many movie/TV car/bike chases, cuts through the Santa Monica Mountains and meets up with the Ventura Freeway.

Topanga Canyon Road is north of the Get... Morety Villa and south of the Malibu Pier.
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