More about Malibu California

The city of Malibu is a beach front community along a 21-mile strip of coastline. Before the city was incorporated, there was a sign around the city that proclaimed “27 miles of scenic beauty,” 27 miles being the original size of the city before incorporation. The city’s name is derive from the Chumash name “Humaliwo” meaning “the surf that sounds loudly.” The city’s name comes from this word since the “Hu” syllable isn’t stressed. The area was part of a 13,000 acre land grant in 1802 known as the Rancho Topanga Malibu Sequit. Few roads passed through this area until 1929 when the state won a court case allowing the to build what is now Pacific Coast Highway. The Rindge House which was the only property on the land, still stands today as a National Historic Site in Malibu Creek State Park, but the house is now known as the Adamson House. One of the most famous districts in Malibu is Malibu Colony. Opened to the public in 1929, it is located along Malibu Road. Malibu is home to some firsts in the technology field as well; in 1960, Dr. Theodore Maiman demonstrated the first working model of a laser in the city at the then Hughes Research Laboratory. The city was not fully incorporated until 1991 to allow the city local control of the area since townships are subject to county government oversight. The city is a perfect place not only to see the ocean, but also for wildfires. The mountainous terrain has deep gorges and canyons where seasonal water allows for the growth of vegetation, and dry Santa Ana winds create a combustible combination. The most recent fires happened in January and October 2007, the first said to be started by a discarded cigarette, and the start of the second fire is still yet to be determined. IN January 2008, Malibu experienced a first; during a large storm, a tornado came off shore striking a naval base’s hanger and tearing its roof off. This was the first tornado to strike Malibu in recorded history. The city’s main attractions are its beaches; Zuma Beach drew over 800,000 visitors Labor Day Weekend 2007 alone. Tourists may also hike, mountain bike and ride horseback in the city with ocean, canyon and mountain views.