Malibu (ˈmælᵻbuː ; Malibú; Chumash: Humaliwo) is a beach city in the Santa Monica Mountains region of Los Angeles County, California, about west of Downtown Los Angeles. It is known for its Mediterranean climate, its strip of beaches stretching 21 miles (34 km) along the Pacific Ocean coast, and for its longtime status as the home of numerous affluent Hollywood celebrities and executives. Although a high proportion of its residents are entertainment industry figures with million-dollar mansions, Malibu also features several middle- and upper-middle-class neighborhoods. The Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) traverses the city and has led most residents to settle anywhere from half a mile (0.8 km) to within a few hundred yards of it, with some residents living up to one mile (1.6 km) away from the beach in areas featuring narrow canyons. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 10,654.
Nicknamed "The 'Bu" by surfers and locals, Malibu is noted for its beaches. The many parks within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area lie along the ridges above the city along with local parks including Las Flores Creek Park, Legacy Park, Malibu Bluffs Park, and Trancas Canyon Park.
The city is bounded by the Santa Monica Mountains to the north, Topanga to the east, Solromar to the west, and the ocean to the south. Signs around the city boast of its "21 miles of scenic beauty" in reference to the incorporated city limits. In 2017, the signs were updated from the historical length of the Malibu coast spanning from Tuna Canyon on the southeast to Point Mugu in Ventura County on the northwest. Many residents of the unincorporated canyon areas are included in the Malibu ZIP code, as the city has their closest commercial centers.
Malibu is named for the Ventureño Chumash settlement of Humaliwo, which means "the surf sounds loudly". This pre-colonial village was next to Malibu Lagoon and is now part of the State Park.
The area is within the Chumash territory, which extended from the San Joaquin Valley to San Luis Obispo to Malibu, as well as several islands off the southern coast of California.