Top 5 Malibu Activities This Fall
This Post May Contain Affiliate LinksWhen you think of Malibu, you probably think of an endless summer filled with surfing, beach lounging, and celebrities.
But did you know that there are fun things to do in the fall as well? I curated a list of the Top 5 Malibu Activities that you can do this Fall! This list is for families, couples, and individuals alike who want to enjoy Malibu like (or as) a local. Explore fall foliage, shop for the cozy season, and enjoy fall activities for the little ones!
Keep reading to view my suggestions and to explore my beloved city during its most beautiful time of the year!
Table of Contents
Malibu Creek State Park
Zuma Canyon Trail
Solstice Canyon
Cielo Farms
Saddle Rock Ranch
Malibu Activities: View Fall Foliage
Believe it or not, Malibu actually has fall colors!
You can view peak fall foliage between late October through November (depending on how much rain we experienced earlier in the year.
Trees to look out for are Sycamore trees. These beautiful native trees can be found all over the Santa Monica mountain range. My favorite places to view them are Malibu Creek State Park, Zuma Trail, and Solstice Canyon.
They’re easy hikes for children and grand parents alike!
Malibu Creek State Park
Start at the main Malibu Creek State Park trailhead and head toward the Visitors center. You will see a lot of oak trees at first, but if you continue along the trail you’ll be able to see beautiful sycamore trees as well as other trees along the creek that have fall colors as well! And, if you’re up for it, you can hike all the way to the Rock Pools and take in the stunning sight of the fall trees reflecting in the rock pool.
Zuma Canyon Trail
Zuma Canyon Trail is a lesser known hiking spot hidden just across from Zuma beach. Follow Bonsall Drive until it dead ends at the Trailhead. There are lots and LOTS of beautiful sycamore trees. Keep reading to see how you can enhance your fall visit to Zuma Canyon Trail.
Solstice Canyon
Solstice canyon holds a very special piece of Malibu’s history. Park at the Solstice Canyon Education Shelter and hit the trail! Follow the trail across the bridge and make a right. Keep hiking to view the historic, burned down buildings amongst the gorgeous fall foliage!
Malibu Activities: Visit the Malibu Wineries
What a better way to enjoy fall in Malibu than by exploring Malibu’s beautiful wineries! There are two wineries that are currently open to reservations, Cielo Farms and Saddle Rock Ranch. Both wineries have unique features that are worth exploring.
These gorgeous wineries are nestled within the Santa Monica mountains and offer stunning views and cooler temperatures during the fall season.
Cielo Farms
Cielo Farms is a stunning venue for weddings, proposals, and romantic getaways. The Tuscan-inspired estate spans over 40+ acres of gorgeous mountainside. Not only does it have acres upon acres of grapevines, it also includes hundreds of beautiful olive trees.
They offer two Reservation Only wine experiences:
Wine Bar Day Pass
Want to sip wine, taste delicious food, and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Malibu’s wine country? Then the Wine Bar Day Pass is perfect for you! You can enjoy wine flights and a charcuterie board during the week, and wood fired pizzas on the weekends!
Reservations are $35 per person to enter the tasting room. The reservation does not include a wine tasting.
Parking is $19 per vehicle.
With the wine bar day pass, you can enjoy Cielo Farms from open till close! And on Thursdays (through September), Cielo Farms has live music.
Picnic at the Trail
The Picnic at the Trail is for those who want a more in depth wine tasting experience. You’ll spend three hours among the grapevines, tasting a curated selection of wines. You are encouraged to bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks to the venue as they do not provide food during this tasting experience.
Reservations are $99 per person
Parking is complimentary with your experience
This experience is only offered on Saturdays. You’ll be able to experience live music while you taste your wine!
Malibu Wine Tours
These guided wine tours start at Saddlerock Ranch. Saddlerock Ranch is a beautiful and historical piece of Malibu that spans 1,100 acres that has hosted many film productions, as well as caves featuring Chumash pictographs. You can explore part of the grounds via the Wine Tours!
Explore Malibu’s wine country by foot on this gorgeous 2.5 mile loop around the property. Take in the history of Saddlerock Ranch as well as viewing the Chumash Native American cave paintings while you sip wine and enjoy the natural scenery.
Reservations are $49 per person.
Tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
People of all ages are welcome to join the hike! However, the trails do not accommodate strollers so keep that in mind if you’re planning on bringing your little ones.
Don’t feel up for a hike but still want to explore Saddlerock Ranch? Then the 4x4 tours are perfect for you! You’ll be able to go on an off-road guided tour while you sip wine and take in the beautiful sights. You’ll also be able to explore exclusive locations not available on other tours.
Tours start at $425 per vehicle.
Tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
This is the perfect VIP experience for those who want to learn history, sip wine, and go all out on their adventure in Malibu’s Wine Country.
This right here is the ultimate Malibu Wine Tour experience. You’ll be able to cruise through Saddlerock Ranch’s vineyards in style in one of their Vintage VW Buses. You’ll be able to explore some of the venue’s most entertaining stops, with an opportunity to eat cheese and a charcuterie board at their beautiful Garden event space.
Reservations are $99 per person
Tour lasts approximately 2 hours
Malibu Activities: Explore with Malibu Riders
If you want to experience Malibu’s beauty in the fall, but you’re more interested in horses than wine and hiking, Malibu Riders is the perfect experience for you! The three trails they offer are Zuma Canyon Trail, Malibu Creek State Park, and Paramount Ranch. All three of the trails offer stunning vistas while you traverse through some of Malibu’s most historic filming landmarks!
Here are my top picks if you want to view Fall Foliage on your ride.
Zuma Canyon Trail
Not to be confused with the Ocean View Trail option for this trail, the Mountain Trail Ride will take you through some beautiful Sycamore groves. And if you’ve booked your session during peak fall colors, you’re sure to have a beautiful, lasting memory of your fall visit to Malibu!
Reservations are $100 per person
Minimum age is 8 years old
Malibu Creek State Park
Malibu Creek State Park offers two separate trail rides, the One Hour Experience and the Two Hour Experience. Keep a look out for sycamore trees and other fall foliage as you ride through the beautiful landscape of Malibu Creek State park. This location has been used for many films and TV shows, so be sure to read up on the history before you go!
One hour trail ride reservations are $100 per person.
Two hour trail ride reservations are $200 per person.
Malibu Activities: Shop for Cozy Finds
One of my favorite ways to enjoy fall is to sit by a window, curled up under a super soft, cozy blanket, with a good book and a cup of coffee. Here’s how I recommend getting started on this fall trend.
Spend the day at Malibu Village Mall, shopping and exploring in the crisp fall air. First, stop by Malibu Village Books and pick out the perfect book to read during the cooler months. Then, head over to Malibu Colony Co. to shop for cozy blankets, candles, and other fall home decor. Finally, stop by Alfred Coffee to taste their fall menu and relax while you get started on your new book.
Malibu Activities: Malibu Bu Bash
Friday October 25th
If you’re a family that celebrates Halloween, don’t miss this special event at Malibu Bluffs Park! Come dressed in your costumes and have fun with other local families as you celebrate this spooky time of year.
The event is for children ages 2-10. Activities include Carnival Games, Costume Cat Walk, Bounce House, Food Trucks, and so much more!
Tickets are $10 per participant and you must pre-register before attending!
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About Megan W Photography
Megan is a Fine Art Maternity, Couples, and Family photographer who was born, raised, and is still living in Malibu, CA. She is here to capture you and your loved ones in images that you will want to cherish, and pass down to future generations.
Not only is she a photographer, but she is a mother, wife, daughter, and sister.
Maternity, family, and couples hold a special place in her heart because she knows how quickly time flies by. Megan W Photography wants to help you preserve those sweet little smiles, those tender, affectionate moments, and the love you share with each other.
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Hi! I’m Megan
I’m a luxury, Malibu, CA based photographer who specializes in Maternity, Couples, and families. I serve Los Angeles and Ventura County, as well as all of California. I value tangible, heirloom art pieces versus digital and I focus on quality over quantity.
