Follow the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica Pier to El Matador with a GPS-backed audio guide that points out beaches, hidden viewpoints, and local stories. Download the tour, time your drive, and expect short walks to tide pools, ruins, and ocean overlooks.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You begin with the ocean in your peripheral vision and the Pacific Coast Highway unrolling like a ribbon beside the cliffs.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal fitness required—short, easy walks from parking to overlooks; suitable for most travelers
Wildlife
History
This coastline was home to the Chumash people for millennia, then shaped by Spanish land grants and later by 20th-century surf culture that defined modern Malibu.
Conservation
Erosion, development pressure, and recreational use threaten fragile coastal habitats—stick to paths, pack out waste, and avoid disturbing tide-pool creatures.
Reserve your spot on the Explore Malibu's Coast: PCH & Beyond - Self Guided Audio Tour today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Download before you go
Use the app's offline download to avoid cellular gaps along the coast—start the tour when you’re a few miles from the first waypoint.
Avoid rush-hour PCH
Plan your route early morning or late afternoon to dodge heavy traffic on Pacific Coast Highway, especially on weekends.
Bring a battery pack
Two hours of audio plus navigation drains phones—carry a portable charger and a charging cable in the car.
Watch tides and cliffs
When visiting tide pools or bluff edges, check tide times and stay back from unstable cliffs.
Smartphone with Wayfarer app
Runs the GPS-guided audio and shows route waypoints.
Portable battery pack
Keeps your phone powered for audio narration and maps.
Sunglasses & sunscreen
Protects against strong coastal sun and reflective glare on the water.
summer
Comfortable walking shoes
Useful for short bluff walks, beach access paths, and uneven surfaces.