Why Malibu Seafood Is Worth the Wait: Fresh Seafood, Ocean Views & the Best Clam Chowder 🌊🦞
June 2024 // Encino, California to Malibu, California
Only here for the view? Jump to the gallery.
Equipment
Locations
📍 Malibu Seafood — 25653 CA-1, Malibu, CA 90265
Casual seafood spot right off the Pacific Coast Highway. Known for the clam chowder in a bread bowl, fish & chips, and ocean-view picnic tables. No reservations, just order at the counter and grab a seat outside.
📍 Corral Canyon Loop Trail — Sara Wan Trailhead at Corral Canyon Park, Malibu, CA 90265
2.4-mile (3.9 km) loop trail with coastal views, wildflowers, and wide-open canyon landscapes. Moderate hike with a few steeper sections - best enjoyed in the cooler months or early mornings.
📍 Deer Creek Beach — Along Pacific Coast Hwy near Deer Creek Rd, Malibu, CA 90265 (see location on map below)
Quiet stretch of coastline north of Malibu. No amenities, but less crowded than nearby beaches. A nice spot to quietly read a book and grab some sun by the water. Street parking only.
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Blog
I can’t count the number of times I’ve eaten at Malibu Seafood. It’s one of those places that you return to over and over, not because you haven’t tried anything else, but because why would you? Whenever friends or family visit, there’s always that one go-to restaurant that feels a little more special than the rest, the one that never lets you down. For me (and, let’s be honest, for a lot of people), that’s Malibu Seafood.
Depending on the day and time you arrive, you might be successfully intimidated away before you make it inside. The line often wraps around the building, spilling into the already overflowing parking lot, where drivers circle like sharks, waiting for someone to back out. But once you’re in, it’s worth every second of the wait. There’s an outdoor menu posted near the line, so you can plot your order strategically while inching forward. Once you reach the counter and place your order, you have a few seating options - multi-level pavilion-style tables overlooking the Pacific, or smaller tables near the parking lot. If you’re lucky enough to score an ocean-view seat, you get the full experience: sea breeze, salt air, and the sound of waves in the distance while digging into some of the freshest seafood on the coast.
Despite eating at Malibu Seafood dozens of times, I order the exact same thing every time: clam chowder in a bread bowl, a side of french fries, and a strawberry lemonade. The chowder is thick and creamy and perfectly absorbed by the sourdough bowl. The fries are always crispy, golden, and generously portioned, and the strawberry lemonade is that ideal mix of tart and sweet, ice-cold and refreshing on a warm day. Sure, I’ve been tempted by the fried seafood platters, the grilled fish plates, or even a bite of someone else’s fish tacos, but nothing ever convinces me to stray from my usual order.
What makes Malibu Seafood even better is that it’s not just about the food - it’s the location. Before or after eating, you have countless ways to enjoy Malibu. You can drive a few minutes down Pacific Coast Highway to explore numerous beaches. We love our PCH drives and usually swing down to Deer Creek Beach to catch up on reading and soak up the sun. If you’d rather stay close, you can hike the Corral Canyon Loop Trail, which starts right next to Malibu Seafood and offers incredible coastal views from the Santa Monica Mountains.
Malibu itself has this effortless magic - whether it’s fog rolling in over the cliffs, the deep blue of the Pacific stretching endlessly, or the golden light hitting the coastline just before sunset. No matter how you plan your day, stopping at Malibu Seafood is always the right choice.
Gallery
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