Small Town Life In Big L.A.

Foodie Day In Malibu

This is Geoffrey's. One of our favorite restaurants! Located in Malibu and overlooking the Pacific, you can see why it is a famous celebrity hangout and featured in many films. This happens to be one of the most sought after tables, all the way out on the rail. We're here for brunch on a peaceful overcast morning. 

The food here is artfully presented and delicious!

Just look at that amazing dessert!

After lunch we walk up to a secret beach entrance that only the locals know about. 

Down the hidden path...

and here's what you find at the end! A glorious view and LOTS of steps down the cliff. 

Bouganvilla grows abundantly here.  

After spending the day sightseeing, shopping, and relaxing it was time for an early dinner at Taverna Tony. We've experienced several star sightings here over the years, Helen Hunt being the most memorable. You just never know who is going to grace those steps. At night it becomes magical with the patio ensconced in little white lights, candlelight, and an ocean breeze.

This is what we most often share here, the jumbo prawns Greek style. I love Malibu and am thankful it's so close to home. 

 

Birthday Brunch at Saddle Peak Lodge

What do you do when your birthday falls between Christmas & New Years in the midst of an unusually hectic season? For us it was to take a drive through Malibu Canyon to one of our favorite restaurants, SADDLE PEAK LODGE.

Just being seated in this high ceiling-ed log cabin of a room, strewn with lights, and under a canopy of mounted deer, brings the relaxation that comes with the feeling that you are "away". Also adding to the ambiance is the gracious and expert service by well trained waiters such as David...knowledgeable, with a heartfelt passion for food and presentation, helpful and attentive yet discreet, with the manners to know not to interrupt a conversation. SO appreciated these days!

Adding to the relaxing elegance is the table decor with fresh flowers and hurricane candles.

Being a pastry nut I was overjoyed at the "goodies basket", so much so that we had eaten half of them before I remembered to snap a pic! Everything in the basket is freshly made that morning on the premises. Ours included a warm, iced cinnamon roll, amazing cheddar apple scone, pear tart, and fresh muffin. Just divine!

My grilled salmon was perfectly prepared and served on a bed of butternut squash puree along with a mini pitcher of lemon buerre blanc sauce, in the French manner.

Dale enjoyed his favorite, eggs hollandaise.

Now about the bacon. This item right here, the apple-wood smoked bacon, a $5 side order, was worth the price of admission. Honestly this was the best bacon either one of us has ever had. IN OUR LIVES. I almost considered making it my Facebook profile pic.

One of the many things we love about this restaurant are the rooms upstairs. Over the years we have dined in all of them. This is the view from the 2nd level. Just look out those windows!

We have also enjoyed this little romantic table on the 3rd level.

After your meal a walk around the grounds beckons.

Fresh air, along with canyon views, abound.

Take the path over the creek...

which will lead you to a view of the saddle peak mountains.

Back inside, at the bottom of the stairs, you will find a bushel of perfect apples in case you would like to grab one for the road.

Ahhh, Saddle Peak Lodge what a wonderful destination you are! Happy 30th Anniversary to you!

 

Pointe Dume, Malibu

This is one of the most famous beaches in the world and it's only a short drive from our home. I am as thrilled to visit today as I was thirty years ago when we moved here.

It's quick and easy for us to pack a mini cooler, lots of reading material, a portable beach umbrella, beach chairs,and blankets for naps. Here's our "home" for the day.

For many years we have had a view of these two homes which sit atop a cliff overlooking the beach. I can never seem to decide which one I like the best.

Here is the famous Pointe Dume rock, the filming site of countless TV shows, movies, and commercials. The sky here is usually vivid blue, and the ocean turquoise.

 

I love taking excercise walks along this beach. It's heavenly.

Ahhh! It's important to set aside time to just r-e-l-a-x.

 

Here's the next best thing to being here....

Beach Day In Malibu

The Winding Malibu Canyon Road

This blog is for my East coast friends who wonder what a West coast beach day is like. Growing up in Baltimore the ocean was a good 3 hours from home. Our family usually went once a year in summer to Ocean City, Maryland. O.C. is famous for it's boardwalk which keeps you from being able to drive right up to the ocean. After living here almost 30 years it still thrills me that we can get to the ocean in well under an hour. One of our favorite beaches is Point Dume in Malibu. We take the canyon roads to get there.

The Malibu Tunnel

Passing Pepperdine U

Pacific Coast Highway

Dale With Our Gear

Point Dume

Chilly, Even in July

Houses on the Cliff Above Point Dume

Imagine Living Here

Each home has steps leading to the beach

A Bougainvilla Home Entrance