Must stops on the Santa Bárbara-San Diego route.
In Malibu you can make a visit in the morning and spend a little time on the beach at Zuma Beach (one of the most popular) or Point Dume. If your stay in Los Angeles leaves you enough days, you can choose to visit Malibu later for a full day as its close enough. And if that is your case, come and see one of the best sunsets on Point Dume.
For sushi lovers, in Mailbú you have Nobu!
Returning to the road trip, from Mailbú go straight to Laguna Beach and have lunch at The Cliff. Highly recommended! The food is fantastic, facing the sea, you have a small art gallery and businesses of all kinds that you have to go through to get to the restaurant. It is so beautiful that events and weddings are usually held in one of the patios over the sea.
If you have time you can also do a little beach before leaving for San Diego.
OTHER USEFUL GUIDES