If you consider the coolest streets in Los Angeles, an embarrassment of riches comes to mind. We have it all, from beautiful drives with designer stores dripping in luxury to grittier boulevards filled with the hippest brands to legendary thoroughfares immortalized on film and in music, all with a wealth of acclaimed dining options. But this year, Time Out has awarded the honor of coolest street in Los Angeles—and the 25th-coolest street in the world—to Pacific Coast Highway.
While it’s part of the 656-mile State Route 1, the name “Pacific Coast Highway” technically only refers to the stretch of SR-1 from Dana Point to Oxnard, which takes you past Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades and Malibu. For the purposes of this list, we’ve chosen the iconic stretch of PCH near the Malibu Pier—which now marks the eastern border of what was spared by the fires. The area is quintessentially Southern California: surfer vibes and high-end shops mingle against postcard-worthy oceanfront hillsides for a singularly “California cool” experience. And months of limited access along PCH only reinforced our affection for PCH—as did the resilience and sense of community its local businesses have shown in the face of such daunting hardships.
In January, when the Palisades Fire broke out and destroyed nearly everything in its path, the wildfire made its way from Pacific Palisades to Malibu, burning down hundreds of homes and local restaurants, including neighborhood seafood spot Reel Inn and iconic PCH watering hole Moonshadows. In fact, nearly everything along a roughly eight-mile stretch of PCH is just gone. (The beloved Getty Villa, Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine and waterfront restaurants Gladstones and Mastro’s have all thankfully survived and reopened.) Access to the street was limited for four-and-a-half months before PCH finally reopened fully in time for Memorial Day weekend. But in the meantime, that made things even harder for the local businesses, many of which were inaccessible to customers for all that time.
If there’s a silver lining to all the strife PCH has seen this year, it just might be that we have a newfound appreciation for the street and what it represents to Los Angeles. So it’s high time to reacquaint yourself with the coastal corridor.
If you’re looking to spend the perfect day along PCH in Malibu, start with brunch at Malibu Farm. (The more casual Malibu Farm Cafe at the end of the pier has joined its sibling restaurant closer to shore as that section of the pier undergoes structural repairs after January’s windstorm.) Also relocated is Ranch at the Pier. Curated by local farm One Gun Ranch, the open-air shop is filled with beachy souvenirs that actually aren’t cheesy. Since PCH admittedly isn’t very pedestrian-friendly—besides the safety aspect, its attractions are fairly spread out—drive up the road to the historic Adamson House to admire the handsome tile work and gardens and learn about the area’s history at the free Malibu Lagoon Museum set up in the garage. (Oh, and it should go without saying that you should spend some time on the sand at the beach.)
Next up is a shopper’s paradise: Malibu Country Mart, Malibu Lumber Yard and Malibu Village all reside within a few square blocks off PCH. Their directories are full of quiet luxury—think L’Agence, Wittmore and James Perse—as well as the last remaining location of Fred Segal. For lunch, order a lobster roll (with uni on top if you’re feeling ritzy) at Broad Street Oyster Company. Christopher Tompkins’s seafood shack has since sprouted up elsewhere around SoCal, but this laid-back strip-mall originator still feels destination-worthy. It also has a sister coffee shop in the shopping center, which serves specialty lattes and soft-serve. Pick up a treat and stroll over to Malibu Village Books, a cozy, colorful and well-curated shop—and the community’s first indie bookstore in 15 years.
For dinner, you could go classic and try to snag a table on the surreally stunning patio of celebrity favorite Nobu Malibu. Or for something new, Clark’s Oyster Bar has arrived in Cross Creek Ranch, just off PCH, bringing with it a sense of optimism and excitement for what’s to come for the city. For a cocktail—and potentially some live entertainment—head to Dreamland, located across from Malibu Pier. Apparel company Aviator Nation has transformed a former saloon into a serious stylish bar and music venue that looks straight out of the 1970s. And if you want to keep the beachy vibes going overnight, book a stay at The Surfrider Malibu, a former roadside motel turned stylish, beachy retreat that sports the best rooftop in Malibu—and the most exclusive, as it’s limited to hotel guests.
Pacific Coast Highway is in good company on Time Out’s list, which has gathered 31 picks from across the globe. Coming out on top this year as the No. 1 coolest street in the world is Rua do Senado in Rio de Janeiro. Rounding out the top five are Orange Street, Osaka; Rua do Bonjardim, Porto; Fanghua Street, Chengdu; and Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal. For some serious travel inspiration, check out the full list of the coolest streets in the world. To determine the list, local Time Out editors collaborated with the company’s global travel team to arrive at the final rankings, taking into account criteria including food, drink, culture, fun and community spirit.