What Makes Point Dume Homes the Best Place in Malibu to Live?

If you’ve ever dreamed of living the real “beach life”, there is no better place in Malibu to look for a home than Point Dume. Point Dume, a promontory jutting out from Malibu into the Pacific, forms the northern end of Santa Monica Bay. The long bluff provides expansive views of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Santa Catalina Island. For those who are ready to escape inland life and head to the shore to take a long, relaxed breath of salty air and serenity, you’ll want to check out Point Dume homes.

Coastal Living with Ocean Views

Home buyers looking to relocate to this ocean paradise will find a wide selection of Point Dume homes available at prices ranging from $500,000 to $30,000,000, with anywhere from 2-6 bedrooms on average. With so much real estate located on its long coastline, Point Dume offers a nice percentage of coastal living, with many homes perched on its ocean-side cliffs boasting incredible views.

Favorite Spot for Whale-Watching

What’s even more impressive about the views from Point Dume homes is that the area is known for being a perfect place to spot migrating whales from November through the Spring. You can also see dolphins or seals cruising up and down the coast, playing in the ocean, and sitting out on the rocks.

Since Point Dume has always been along the route for migrating whales, it used to be a favorite spot for whaling companies, like the California Whaling Company, which anchored its steam-schooner California off the coast of Point Dume in the 1930’s. Anchored about a mile offshore in Paradise Cove, the ship spent about four months each winter parked there, catching large numbers of whales on the migration path from Alaska to Baja and back.

Now that whaling is banned and whale populations are thriving, homeowners in Point Dume enjoy the beauty of these amazing sea mammals during the season of their migration. A home in Point Dume with ocean views will give you the rare opportunity to watch these whales daily through your windows and on walks along the shores.

A Thriving Garden Ecosystem

Point Dume didn’t always offer the luxury of impressive Point Dume homes with views of the ocean. Up until the 1940’s, it was merely a windblown, treeless bluff covered in native chaparral.  Right after WWII, the bluff was settled by a group of self-sufficient people who planted trees and native plants. Now the area is lush with succulent gardens and colorful bougainvillea vines.

In the spirit of those early residents who planted trees and plants, gardening and sustainable living remains an important value held by the Point Dume community. Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School, a school that took many years to establish in the community, has received numerous accolades for its environmental advocacy programs, including the Environmental Sustainability Award from state Sen. Fran Pavley and the California Business for Excellent Education Award in 2006 through 2010.

Peaceful, Secluded, and Safe Community

Although many of its houses are less than 10 years old, Point Dume is now a vibrant community that residents find peaceful, safe, and friendly. With a population that hovers around 13,000, a low crime rate, and a dog-friendly, walkable town, residents are attracted to the secluded island-like feel of Point Dume.

But even though Point Dume feels removed, it is not far from downtown LA and Hollywood for those who seek a little connection to the urban vibe. Point Dume is also sought after by Hollywood; a popular location for films, TV, and videos, Point Dume often stars as the stand-in for any scene that calls for a beach. With its spectacular views and pristine sands, Point Dume’s performance does not disappoint. One of its most well-known appearances was in the movie classic, Planet of the Apes.

Delicious Dining Spots

It’s sense of seclusion from society hasn’t made Point Dume a place where you can’t find a good bite to eat. On the contrary, Point Dume brags some well-accolated establishments with tempting edibles for just about any occasion and budget.

Everyone likes pizza, but Point Dume has a pizza place that is agreed by most to be among the nation’s best. Making it on the list of Top 10 Best Pizzas in America by Citysearch.com, the 28-year-old family-owned Damores Pizza has one of its locations in Point Dume. According to comedian Ray Romano, “It’s the best pizza in Los Angeles.”

If you’re feeling less like pizza and more like a great cup of joe to jumpstart your beach-perfect morning, you can sip some organic fair trade goodness from Cafécito Organico. Voted one of the LA’s best brews, Cafecito Organico is committed to sustainable grounds or, as they put it, “We are committed to serving great coffees, grown on Earth by humans.”

If you want to try the “epitome of the Malibu experience”, you can relax in the style at the Sunset Restaurant in Point Dume, where you can get a perfectly concocted drink at the bar and view frolicking dolphins. Regulars love the great food and atmosphere at this welcoming establishment.

Unique Outdoor Recreation

Besides being more peaceful and quieter than beaches in Malibu, the state beach in Point Dume is also part of the Point Dume Nature Preserve. With accessible hiking trails up to the bluffs above the beach, it contains views of the Pacific you won’t find anywhere else on earth. Up on the bluff, there is wildlife to watch: lizards, ground squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, and birds such as plovers, wrens, roadrunners, and pelicans.

Buying a home in Point Dume can also give you the opportunity to learn the sport of rock climbing in a location that is easy to access, with routes that are suitable for novices. The pitch of the routes is moderate and there are established fixed anchors to tie your rope off to. Surfing is also a favorite pastime of some Point Dume residents, and with limited access to parking and a long walk to the beach for non-residents, those who live nearby have prime pick of waves on good days.

A Home by the Sea

For those home buyers who feel drawn to a life by the ocean, where the pace is slower and the air fresher, Point Dume can hardly be matched in serenity and beauty.