Malibu
Written Written by by B. B. B. B. Smith Smith
T
he “Malibu Lifestyle” really says it all. This stunningly beautiful, affluent beachfront city in northwestern Los Angeles sits on a 27-mile strip of prime Pacific coastline. “The Bu,” as surfers, locals and Alan Harper call it, is famous for its warm, sandy beaches that front the luxurious homes of many residents. Others live in the picturesque narrow canyons formed by the Santa Monica Mountains to the North and Topanga Canyon to the East. Malibu is easier to pronounce than “Humaliwo” — the Native American word for “the surf sounds loudly.” Drop the “Hu” and you’ll see where the new name derived, explains Marcus Beck of Prudential Malibu Realty, top Realtor to the rich and famous and wannabes looking for homes in Malibu. Spectacular scenery abounds at every turn. Here, as Marcus says, “nature provides an awesome playground.” Early Spanish influences are still strongly felt in this stretch that was once closely guarded private property. The Rindges, owners of the original 13,000 ranch, actually hired guards back in the late 1800s to keep trespassers out. They even defeated the Southern Pacific Railroad in court, stopping tracks from being laid. (Their home, the Rindge House, a National Register site, can be seen in Malibu Creek State Park.) Ah, but you can’t fight City Hall. The state, wanting to build the Pacific Coast Highway, went to court too, and won. But Rhoda May Rindge had the final word, of sorts. Widowed, she refused to sell off her land, and opened a small ceramic tile factory that grew to over 100 workers. Time and the economy won in the end. But Rhoda May’s distinctive Moorish/Arts & Crafts creations, known as Malibu tiles, now are found in luxury homes throughout Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. She is remembered. Oil tycoon J. Paul Getty opened his Getty Villa in Malibu, patterning it after the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum and other ancient sites. Now it’s a museum beyond compare. Actually, you could spend the next 20 years trying to see all the celebrities’ homes in Malibu. To name just a few of the past and current residents:
Barbara Streisand, Jeff Bridges, Charles Bronson, Mel Brooks, Pierce Brosnan, Gary Busey, Dyan Cannon, Johnny Carson, Cher, Dick Clark, Jackie Collins, Robert Conrad, Laura Dern, Bruce Dern, Danny DeVito, Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duval, Bob Dylan . . . and that just takes you through the letter D! Fortunately, tourist maps of celebrity homes are available. Malibu Colony has become one of the area’s most famous districts. A gated community with multi-million dollar homes on tiny lots, it offers some of the most breathtaking wide-span views of the Pacific Coast. Close to Malibu Colony is Malibu Lagoon, part of a 169-acre state park, and a top-notch spot for bird watching. Best time is spring and fall when migratory fowl make their annual trek to and from Alaska and Central America. Surfers from across the globe are attracted to Malibu’s World Surfing Preserves. This program was launched by the Save the Waves Coalition to designate and enshrine international waves surf zones and surrounding environments. Malibu’s Surfrider Beach was designated as the first World Surfing Reserve site to protect and preserve Malibu as an iconic surf site. Malibu is close to the “big city” of Los Angeles for easy commute, yet far enough away to retain that small town friendliness and helpfulness. Malibu’s schools are said to be the best in the Los Angeles area and Pepperdine University in Malibu has an international reputation. Answering to higher standards is typical of Malibu as it is with Marcus Beck of Prudential Malibu Realty. A third generation Malibu native, and lifelong Malibu resident, Marcus hit the ground running as a new Realtor by winning “Outstanding Performance First Year with Company” award. From that point on, Marcus Beck’s reputation as a Realtor never slowed. He has been a “Top Producing Realtor” consistently in a career that requires perseverance in a continually changing marketplace. His longtime presence among those for whom he is providing the perfect residence gives him the edge needed to see beyond a simple “deal.” Marcus can provide local knowledge and perspective of the upscale Malibu community, where it has been and where it is going, with insight only a true “insider” can possess.