A recommended day trip: Malibu and the Getty Villa
From Shutters on the Beach, drive north about 15 minutes to the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades and combine it with a scenic Malibu coast loop—ideal as a single half- to full-day outing. Start at Shutters (grab coffee or a quick breakfast at Coast Beach Café & Bar), drive up Pacific Coast Highway to the Getty Villa, then continue along PCH for coastal views and a relaxed Malibu stop before returning to Santa Monica.
In this guide
Start at Shutters on the Beach — morning logistics
Plan to leave the hotel after a light breakfast or coffee from Coast Beach Café & Bar (breakfast service 7am–11am) or The Living Room if you prefer coffee and light bites. Check current restaurant hours with the concierge.
If you need to park before departing, Shutters on the Beach offers overnight valet parking and an on-site electric vehicle charging station; ask the Front Desk or BookResorts agents for details and current valet procedures.
- Check-out time is by 12:00 PM (noon) if you’re leaving that day; check-in begins at 4:00 PM for arrivals. Guests are asked to contact the hotel at least 24 hours before arrival with arrival details.
- The hotel’s Beach Concierge can arrange seasonal complimentary bike rentals if you prefer to explore locally before driving out.
- For longer drives, consider requesting directions or current traffic notes from the concierge—PCH travel times vary with weekend traffic.
| On-site contact | Phone |
|---|---|
| BookResorts (24/7 agent line) | +1 (888) 605-1350 |
| Hotel address | 1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405 |
Drive time and route to the Getty Villa
The Getty Villa is about 5.3 miles from Shutters on the Beach, typically a roughly 15-minute drive without heavy traffic. Use Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) northbound for the most direct coastal route.
Traffic around the coast and Malibu can increase trip time, especially on weekends and afternoons; allow extra time if you have a timed Getty Villa entry or guided program.
- Suggested route: head north on PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) from Santa Monica toward Pacific Palisades and Malibu.
- Parking at the Getty Villa requires advance planning—check the Getty Villa website for timed-entry reservations and parking information before you leave.
- If you prefer public transit, ask the concierge about local bus options; the Metro E Line serves Santa Monica but will not take you directly to the Getty Villa.
| Point | Approx. distance/time (no heavy traffic) |
|---|---|
| Shutters on the Beach to Getty Villa | About 5.3 miles / ~15 minutes |
| Shutters on the Beach to central Malibu | Roughly 12.8 miles / ~20 minutes (longer with weekend traffic) |
Visiting the Getty Villa — what to expect
The Getty Villa focuses on classical antiquities and houses gardens and period-inspired architecture; it sits on a coastal bluff near Pacific Palisades. Check the Getty Villa website for timed-entry tickets and current exhibitions.
Allow 1.5–3 hours if you plan to tour galleries, walk the gardens, and visit the café. The museum has its own parking and visitor rules—confirm parking and entry requirements ahead of time.
- Timed-entry tickets are commonly required—reserve in advance on the Getty Villa site.
- Facilities typically include restrooms, a museum shop, and a café; verify current hours and services before you go.
- The Villa’s gardens involve walking and some stairs; wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection.
| Tip | Reason |
|---|---|
| Reserve timed entry online | Ensures parking and access during popular periods |
| Bring a light jacket | Coastal breezes can be cool even on sunny days |
| Plan for photography breaks | The gardens and architecture offer many photo opportunities |
Add Malibu coastline time — easy stops
After the Getty Villa, continue north along PCH for Malibu’s shoreline views. You can stop for a short beach walk, scenic overlooks, or a casual meal depending on how much time you have.
Popular Malibu stops include public beach access points and small cafés along PCH; reservations are often not required for casual seaside stops, but check each location if you have a specific restaurant in mind.
- If you want a longer lunch, consider returning south toward Santa Monica for more dining options, or choose a casual Malibu beachfront café for ocean views.
- Driving the coast north of Pacific Palisades offers scenic viewpoints—pull into designated turnouts rather than stopping on the highway.
- Traffic increases in the late afternoon; plan your return to Shutters accordingly if you have dinner reservations or spa appointments.
| Activity | Approx. time |
|---|---|
| Short beach walk / overlook | 20–40 minutes |
| Casual beachside lunch | 45–75 minutes |
| Extended Malibu exploration | 2–4 hours (adds to day trip) |
Return to Shutters — unwind options
Back at the hotel you can relax by the heated outdoor pool with Pacific Ocean views (pool access is for registered guests and seating is first-come, first-served). Towels, cabanas, and a whirlpool hot tub are available—ask pool staff about current hours and cabana fees.
If you prefer a spa recovery, ONE Spa is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and offers facials, HydraFacial services, and body treatments including a Hammam Detoxifying Treatment; spa services are available to hotel guests and outside visitors by appointment.
- Pool hours have been listed by third-party sources as roughly 7:00 AM–8:00 PM; confirm current hours with the hotel.
- ONE Spa uses brands such as Omorovicza and offers signature treatments; book appointments in advance especially on weekends.
- For a quiet evening, consider The Living Room and Terrace for cocktails or 1 Pico for dinner (1 Pico dinner Thurs–Mon 5:30pm–9:30pm; weekend brunch Sat–Sun 11:00am–3:00pm).
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Heated outdoor pool | Ocean-view pool reserved for registered guests |
| ONE Spa | Open Tue–Sun 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; book ahead |
| 1 Pico dinner | Dinner Thu–Mon 5:30 PM–9:30 PM; reservations recommended |
Room choices if you stay the night
If your day trip turns into an overnight, Shutters on the Beach has a range of room types. For ocean views consider Room, Oceanfront or Suite, 1 Bedroom, Oceanfront; connecting rooms are available for families.
Some suites include living areas and sofa beds, such as Suite (Beach House), Suite (Pacific View), and Suite, Ocean View—confirm bedding arrangements and occupancy limits when booking.
- Room names you can request exactly as written: Suite, with Sofa bed (One-Bedroom Suite); Suite, Ocean View; Superior Room, 1 King Bed; Deluxe Room; Room, 1 King Bed, Partial Ocean View; Room, Oceanfront; Suite (Beach House); Suite, 1 Bedroom, Oceanfront; Studio, with Sofa bed; Suite (Pacific View); Room, 2 Double Beds, Partial Ocean View; Superior Room, 2 Double Beds.
- Check-in begins at 4:00 PM and the reservation holder must be at least 18 years old with matching photo ID and credit card.
- The resort fee is mandatory and covers fitness-center access, fitness/yoga classes, pool and spa access, Wi-Fi, in-room bottled water, and a newspaper; confirm the current fee amount at time of booking.
| Sample room types | Notes |
|---|---|
| Suite, 1 Bedroom, Oceanfront | Larger layout with oceanfront exposure |
| Room, Oceanfront | Ocean-facing guest room option |
| Superior Room, 1 King Bed | Standard king-bed room |
