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From Movie Stars To Super Cars: Field Trippin' Malibu

Summertime. That means fun, sun and for many of us, road trips. In Southern California one of the best places to be during the summer is Malibu. A favorite spot of the rich and famous, Malibu is one of the very few places on Earth actually worthy of its hype - and for the automotive enthusiast this is doubly true. Because in Malibu, you’ve got it all - beautiful scenery, amazing roads and car spotting that is second to none. MalibuSign You’ll have little choice but to start any trip to Malibu on the Pacific Coast Highway. Malibu, as the sign says, is mainly coastline and the best way to see it is to drive up its main artery, and that’s PCH. The bad news about summers on PCH is that you’re probably going to be stuck in traffic. MalibuTraffic-PCH-California-car-lover-destination But what is bad news for everyone else is great news for you! Because being caught in a jam in the ‘Bu means close up car spotting at its finest. One of the first landmarks you’ll pass is the oceanfront restaurant Moonshadows.  This joint is famous not only for having one of the hottest valet lines in Southern California, but it’s also the spot where Mel Gibson launched his drunken anti-Semitic tirade in 2006. But unless you’re packin’ a Platinum Card, you’ll probably want to keep driving. Malibu Pier The next fun stop is the Malibu Pier, a great place to get really close to the water without actually getting wet. Many remember the pier as a run down, splintery mess, but a recent renovation brought in a few new cool spots, including the Malibu Farm—one the few places in Southern California where you can eat well on the water without cashing in your retirement fund. MalibuShelby Just up the road is the Cross Creek Shopping Center, which has a parking lot that’s worth cruising through... CrossCreekDoubleLambo ...especially if you enjoy things like a double dose of Lambo! Be sure you use the facilities here, because what’s coming up next may just put your bladder to the test. Hang a right on Malibu Canyon and head for the hills. Not for the faint of heart, Malibu Canyon has Alpine-like twists and turns, plus a few toe-curling drop offs just to ensure you’re paying attention. Keep going until the road levels out and you've reached the incomparable Mulholland Highway. This is the pinnacle of Southern California driving. If you hit it early on a Sunday morning, you’ll wonder if you’ve landed in Willow Springs, because supercars are everywhere... DoubleLambo-PCH-California-car-lover-destination Another double Lamborghini set? Don’t say I didn’t warn you. But be careful, Malibu’s finest and other wildlife tend to frequent Mulholland as well: PeacockMalibu-PCH-California-car-lover-destination A few miles ahead, Mulholland will run into Kanan Dume right before you run out of gas and patience, so hang a left if you’re up for more. If you’re not, go right and get on the freeway to head home, you quitter! On Kanan, you’ll pass several of Malibu’s finest vineyards (not a contradiction in terms), a few crazy spreads (including the house featured on The Bachelor) and then it will dump you back on PCH by Point Dume. Take a right and head up to Zuma Beach where you'll find the famous biker bar Neptune’s Net, the beaches from “Baywatch” and lots of little spots to just stop and soak it all up. BeachBuggy Head back down PCH to end up where you started, but not until you’ve passed a variety of riches that can only happen here. MalibuMeetUp-PCH-CA-car-lover-destination If it’s Sunday, you may just find yourself witnessing a few of Malibu’s famous “underground meet ups”, like this one that I’d tell you about if I wasn't sworn to secrecy. I can tell you its location rhymes with "Shmancus Canyon." MalibuC&C Every other Sunday, Malibu does have its very own Cars & Coffee, however. Meeting in a tiny lot on the "Bluffs" across from Pepperdine University, this is a special show that focuses on quality vs quantity. MC&C is so small you may just miss it, but that would be sad. Because between the consistently solid display of vintage Porsches and the random celebrity appearances (Keanu Reeves has dropped in twice), there’s always something cool to gawk at. If it’s not Sunday, and you’re not in the mood for a show, that’s fine. However, that doesn’t mean you’re not gonna get one. PCH is constantly littered with automotive madness that barely exists anywhere else: UniMog Unimog anyone? And traffic? Don't kid yourself, there will be plenty. But there will also be surfers, stand up paddle boarders and dolphins.  So just lay back and enjoy the scenery because tomorrow you can go back to a sea of Honda Accords, but today, this is Malibu.
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