Touch down at LAX and take a short ride to your ocean‑front boutique hotel, where a sunrise breakfast at The Albright on the pier greets you with fresh citrus juices and locally caught salmon. After fueling up, wander the historic Santa Monica Pier, soak in the carousel’s lights, and feel the sand between your toes as the Pacific stretches before you.
Grab a pair of rental bikes and cruise the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, pausing at the iconic Muscle Beach to watch bodybuilders in action before stopping for a casual lunch at Picnic on the Third Street Promenade. Post‑lunch, explore the vibrant promenade’s boutique shops, then head back to the beach for a beginner’s surf lesson where you’ll catch your first wave together.
Dine at The Lobster, savoring buttery lobster rolls while the sun dips behind the pier, then stroll hand‑in‑hand along the shoreline to watch the sky blaze with color. Cap the night with a rooftop cocktail at the chic Bungalow, where you’ll toast to a romantic getaway and glimpse the promise of tomorrow’s sunset stroll in Malibu.
After a leisurely breakfast of avocado toast and fresh squeezed orange juice at Malibu Farm Café on the iconic Malibu Pier, you’ll wander through the breezy Malibu Country Mart, browsing designer boutiques and artisanal gift shops while the Pacific breezes set a relaxed tone for the day.
A short drive along the winding Pacific Coast Highway leads you to the dramatic cliffs of El Matador State Beach, where you’ll explore hidden sea caves and enjoy a picnic of locally sourced cheeses and fruit before heading to Surfrider Beach for a private surf lesson that lets you ride the legendary Malibu rollers together.
As the sun dips behind the horizon, stroll hand‑in‑hand along Malibu Pier, then indulge in a candlelit dinner at Nobu Malibu, savoring sushi and grilled seafood while the waves provide a perfect soundtrack, and finish the night with a moonlit walk on the sand or a nightcap at the rooftop lounge of the Malibu Beach Inn.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| LAX to hotel transfer | $30-45 (rideshare) or $70-90 (rental car per day) |
| Ocean-front boutique hotel (2 nights) | $250-350 per night |
| The Albright (breakfast) | $15-25 per person |
| Santa Monica Pier | Free |
| Carousel at Santa Monica Pier | $2-5 per ride |
| Santa Monica Beach | Free |
| Bike rental (Marvin Braude Bike Trail) | $15-25 per bike per day |
| Marvin Braude Bike Trail ride | Free (aside from bike rental) |
| Muscle Beach | Free |
| Picnic (restaurant on Third Street Promenade) | $20-35 per person |
| Third Street Promenade (shopping & strolling) | Free (shopping optional) |
| Beginner surf lesson (Santa Monica) | $80-120 per person |
| The Lobster (dinner) | $30-50 per person |
| The Bungalow rooftop cocktail bar | $12-20 per drink (≈ $25-40 per person for two drinks) |
| Malibu Farm Café (breakfast) | $12-20 per person |
| Malibu Pier (walk & sunset stroll) | Free |
| Malibu Country Mart (shopping) | Free (shopping optional) |
| El Matador State Beach | Free entry, $10 parking |
| Beach picnic (food at El Matador) | $15-25 per person |
| Surfrider Beach | Free |
| Private surf lesson (Malibu) | $120-180 per person |
| Nobu Malibu (dinner) | $70-120 per person |
| Malibu Beach Inn rooftop lounge (nightcap) | $15-25 per drink (≈ $30-50 per couple) |
| Estimated Total (per person) | $1,400-2,200 |