Cliffside Ocean View Camping: The Malibu Beach RV Park

For anyone who owns a recreational van, Malibu Beach can be a unique destination. Whether you want to learn to surf, or simply want to watch sunsets, this is what California camper van road trip dreams are made of. Waterfalls, vineyards, coastal caves, wildlife, and seafood – the treasures of Malibu Beach are many. Although Malibu wouldn’t be overly accessible to van dwellers (no overnight parking), vanlifers can pull up their vehicles at the Malibu RV Park and enjoy camping, exciting activities, and travel to nearby tourist destinations. Malibu RV Park with its cliffside location offers all of us the rare chance to have the same spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean as the multi-million dollar homes on the bluffs just down the road for the cost of a campground hookup.

If you’re touring the Pacific Coast Highway or on a California coast road trip this is the perfect place to begin or end your road trip! In this blog is our full review of the Malibu RV Camping Park.

Malibu Beach RV Park is built on the steep hillsides of the Santa Monica Mountains, overlooking a lovely stretch of coastline that includes a grand view of Point Dume. You can catch the breathtaking view of the mountains meeting the sea right here!

The Price

Some of Southern California’s most expensive real estate is around this area. But you can live like a movie mogul at this RV resort, and the rate goes as low as $45 a night (depending on the spot you want). There are electrical hook ups, propane services, a dump station, laundry services, bathrooms and hot showers as well. So it really is a fantastic option for a vanlife pit stop and getting all your “chores” done for the week.

Although the best part about vanlife is the freedom to stealth camping, a lot of wealthier cities don’t exactly love us hiding out overnight. If you want to risk it, in Malibu there are several places along the highway where you’ll see parked RVs and vans. But for a peace of mind, the Malibu RV Park price is pretty low for the area. With all the amenities and services included, it’s well worth it for not getting a ticket and enjoying all Malibu offers!

The View

Besides all of the amenities mentioned above, this campground has a location to die for! The park sites are terraced into the side of a mountain creating a panoramic ocean view and dramatic sunsets.

When you make a reservation here, every site comes with a fantastic view — whether it’s the Pacific Ocean or the mountains. These sweeping vistas are easily accessible to campers thanks to the RV park’s location on a coastal bluff.

If it’s a Pacific Ocean view you’re after exclusively, and you don’t want to risk missing out, you can book a premium site in advance. Our site is V6, located on the second level of the RV park in what’s known as the Point Dume Ocean View area ($155/night). In addition to the spectacular view, these premium sites are larger and come with full hookups and back-in options too.

Beach Access

Not only will you have ocean views from your campsite, but you’ll also have quick and easy beach access. You can hang out at the beach by day and then head back to your campsite to enjoy an epic sunset. Fall asleep to the sound of lapping waves and wake up to the smell of salty air. This is what Los Angeles dreams are made of!

Facilities and Amenities

Unlike most of the state park campgrounds in the area which have quite basic amenities, this privately-owned park offers goes above and beyond with some extra comforts. Booking your stay at Malibu Beach RV Park means having access to complimentary Wi-Fi and cable hookups for the duration of your visit. The park also provides campers with easy access to a laundry room, on-site bathrooms, and showers as an added convenience.

Tired of surfing and wanting to rest? No problem. The campground has a large grassy area with picnic tables for your family to relax and recharge!

Pet Friendly

If you’re traveling to the coast with furry friends, up to three pets can accompany you to this oceanside RV park.

What’s Close By

1. Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market & Patio Cafe

An excellent fish store and restaurant, Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market & Patio Cafe, is just down the hill from the RV park. The seafood here is amazing and the price is very affordable.

On our first visit to this restaurant we ordered 1lb of steamed mussels, 1 order of fish and chips, 1 clam chowder, and 1 grilled fish and the total came out to only $60. We mentioned to the restaurant owner that we are from the RV park and she gave us an extra 20% off. What a deal!

We ended up coming back to this restaurant for lunch everyday for the duration of our stay at the RV Park and got to try everything on their menu! This was the most memorable experience we had in Malibu!

2. El Matador State Beach

The most impressive beach in Malibu is El Matador Beach! This beautiful beach features rugged sandstone cliffs that plunge dramatically into the ocean. There are also huge sea stacks that line the beaches shoreline.

The beach is accessed via a short trail that leads to a steep staircase that eventually takes you to the shoreline. El Matador is easily the most picturesque piece of coastline in the county. The interesting rock formations also make this beach a popular spot for wedding photoshoots.

3. Malibu Country Mart and Broad Street Oyster Company

The Malibu Country Mart is an outdoor, boutique shopping center nestled between the ocean and the mountains of Malibu. All the shops and restaurants are surrounded by lush gardens, playgrounds, picnic spaces, sculptures, and eateries. They are constructed in a mish-mash of styles, from Mediterranean and Spanish to rustic and modern.

Here you will find the famous Broad Street Oyster Company. They are known for their world famous lobster roll.  A heap of lobster meat on a lightly toasted roll is served either warm with butter or cold with mayonnaise. 

Broad Street Oyster Company is Malibu’s ultimate seafood destination with the laid-back atmosphere of beachy vibes. The freshly shucked oysters, seafood tower, live sea urchin, tuna tartare, and daily crudo keep the raw options rocking.

4. Malibu Pier and Malibu Farm Cafe

Famous for its iconic white towers and rough hewn planks, Malibu Pier is an iconic destination offering lovely views of the Malibu coastline. You’ve probably seen the pier featured in many films, television shows, and music videos.

Take a stroll along the pier and enjoy sweeping views of Malibu’s scenic coastline and glistening ocean. Watch surfers catch a couple of waves at adjacent Surfrider Beach and if you’re lucky, you may even spot a pod of dolphins riding the waves too.

At the end of the Pier you will find the Malibu Farm Cafe. The cafe is known for featuring ingredients that are farm fresh, local, and organic, to create an eclectic menu of healthy simplicity. You can order your meal and then enjoy it on the nearby benches.

5. The Calamigos Ranch, Malibu Cafe, and Saloon Cafe

Calamigos Guest Ranch was established in 1937 and is a one-of-a-kind property nestled into the Santa Monica Mountains. The property is surrounded by groves of oak, pine and eucalyptus, and contains beautiful lakes, ponds, waterfalls and local vineyards. The Calamigos grounds are absolutely beautiful from the giant ferris wheel to the many paths lined with whimsical chandeliers hanging from giant oak trees.

There’s also Malibu Cafe overlooking a nice grass area where you can sit out and relax (you can even bring your dog). There are picnic tables all over, with people enjoying wine and live music. There is a small pond and you can take a paddle boat out for a spin while you wait for your table.

Here you will also find the Saloon Coffee. Step inside the cafe is like stepping into a rustic oasis. I loved the western vibes and the shop itself was super cute and had indoor seating as well.

6. Zuma Beach

Make the drive past Will Rogers and Surfrider beaches and you’ll be rewarded with a clean, wide patch of sand and surf at Zuma. This Malibu beach accommodates crowds with plenty of on-site parking (pay at the lot $8/day or park for free along PCH) and lifeguards on duty. 

This beach is beautiful due to its white sand and stunning mountains that tower in the background. If you’re looking for a beach to sunbathe and swim, this is the best of all the Malibu beaches to spend a few hours at.

Final Words

We highly recommend you stay at Malibu Beach RV Park! Besides offering a panoramic view of the landscape, this park has easy beach access, a short walk to amazing seafood, and close to many iconic tourist destinations. If you happen to be someone who prefers the comfort and convenience of an RV or camper, Malibu Beach RV Park is your beachfront haven.

***Thank you to Malibu Beach RV Park for kindly sponsoring this post. All opinions are 100% honest & completely my own.