Eight cheap or free family-friendly activities near Malibu
Keep your kids and your pocket book happy with these eight cheap or free and super fun activities near Malibu and along scenic Highway 1 that everyone will love. Check it out!
We recently went camping on the beach in California. It was a blast. And even with four kids in tow, we found plenty of fun activities that were either free or super cheap. Check it out.
Thornhill Broome Campground
Okay, so, this is an awesome campground right on the beach. We stayed there for six days. We saw dolphins and sea lions jumping every morning and splashed in the waves all day. For $35 per night, that’s a steal. To learn all about this campground, check out my detailed post by clicking here.
Highway 1 Sandy Dune
Just south of Thornhill Broome Campground, there’s a giant sand dune on the east side of the road. It’s a beautiful place to spot, especially at sunset. Our kids loved running up and down the soft sand. Grab a lunch and enjoy the view.
Point Mugu Missile Park
Just off the north end of Highway 1, minutes from Malibu, you can stop and visit the Point Mugu Missile Park. This park displays numerous aircraft and missiles that were tested at Naval Air Station Point Mugu. It’s a short visit but my boys loved it. It’s also a great place to stop and eat lunch or dinner. Best of all, it’s free!
Ventura Pier and Promenade
If you’re visiting the missile park, you might as well drive another 20 minutes north and visit the Ventura Pier and Promenade. Take a stroll down one of California’s oldest piers and then enjoy a surrey ride for $25 along the promenade. We watched kite surfers along the beach and enjoyed the salty air. It was so fun!
El Matador Beach
This popular beach does not disappoint. If you can catch it during low tide, there’s lots of cool caves to explore. And even at high tide, it’s still fun. Keep in mind, there’s lots of stairs to descend in order to get to the beach.
Leo Carrillo Tide Pools
Not far from El Matador Beach, is Leo Carrillo Beach. At low tide, this beach is a treasure trove of tide pools ready to be explored. My kids couldn’t get enough of all the creature and treasures. Definitely a must.
Santa Monica Pier
This iconic pier is worth a visit. Even during the pandemic, it was amazing. Normally crowded with street performers, this pier was quiet and scenic. We loved it.
Randy’s Donuts
Okay, Randy’s Donuts isn’t really anywhere near Malibu, however, we had to stop there. We grabbed a yummy donut and took some pictures in front of this well-known landmark. You might recognize it from Iron Man 2.
Well, there you have it! These are all the fun things we did on our trip to Malibu. We absolutely loved exploring Highway 1 and were delighted by all the fun and family-friendly activities along the way.
What other places in Malibu do you recommend? Leave your comments below.
Related link: Three spectacular family-friendly hikes in Escalante
