visiting from NJ

[peril]

We are visiting relatives in the valley and would like to take a day trip down to PCH and Malibu for lunch as a break from them. Looking for a nice place with possible outdoor seating and good food with casual dress code. Thanks in advance.

[Emme]

Malibu Seafood is perfect for eating outdoors and casual.

Duke's is another option, though not really my favorite... I've had lackluster experiences the last couple of times.

If you'd be willing to stop on PCH in Santa Monica, you can eat on the beach at Back on the Beach Cafe.

[fdb]

I like taking out of town guests to Paradise Cove for brunch and some fun on the sand or in the ocean. http://www.paradisecovemalibu.com/beachcafe/

Gladstone's is also fun. http://www.gladstones.com/

[ipsedixit]

Geoffrey's.

[Das Ubergeek]

Yeah, what she said.

This is LA. Dress codes of any kind are few and far between. People go out to Cut and to Providence and to Spago in nice jeans and a stylish shirt.

[JeetJet]

“Outdoor seating and good food with casual dress code.” I recall one afternoon at Neptunes Net Seafood. It seem like a cross-section of all L.A. was there. I noticed two lawyers in suits, surfer guys in swim suits and surfer girls in bikinis, two biker guys, a construction crew and families with kids, and some couples on dates.

Neptunes Net Seafood (This is seafood – fried or steemed – in a true Calif. setting. So many movies were filmed on the beach across PCH from here)
42505 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, California 90265
[phone]

Menu
http://www.neptunesnet.com/

[NAspy]

I love Neptune's Net, but it is right at the northern LA County line--you basically would be coming over to the coast from Thousand Oaks, that's how far north it is. But if you are game, the Leo Carrillo beach right there is a beautiful California beach. And the people watching at Neptune's Net is great. Food consists either of getting typical fried fish/hamburger shack type food at the indoor counter, or (my preference) ordering up live lobsters, crabs, and corn and clam chowder on the other side.

In Malibu, Gladstone's is the quintessential beachside restaurant with outdoor seating, and other than the fact that the food is only OK, is probably going to fill the bill. They have fun cocktails, their seafood salads are perfectly fine and the atmosphere is fun and very southern Californian. Prices are fairly high considering the food, and parking will cost you as well. But if you get there early enough, you'll snag a prime table and want to hang there all day.

[JeetJet]

At low tide that sea cave and the tide pools at Leo Carrillo Beach are a great way to walk-off lunch. It is also fun watching the wind surfers there. The reason I made this rec was because of the food, non-pretentious beach ambiance, and Leo Carrillo Beach. Also, when I do a PCH drive toward Malibu, I either begin in the morning at PCH in Santa Monica with the sun at my back, not in my eyes, and end at Oxnard, or begin after noon by exiting the 101 at the bottom of the hill in Camarillo and then take S. Lewis Road toward the ocean. I end up on PCH near Point Mugu and head South with the sun again at my back. A trick I learn from a travel guide for Maui roads along the sea cliffs – safer. Either way, I like that little drive across the farm land in Oxnard.more than that crazy mountain road from Thousand Oaks. What ever these good people do they can also make a post requesting a good dessert to buy along the route so they can enjoy it on the beach someplace. ???? I hope someone can say what desserts exist in Camarillo, Santa Monica or some place along PCH because I would sure like to know myself.

Leo Carrillo State Beach
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Carr...

[cant talk...eating]

I would also highly recommend doing this on a weekday if they're here for a couple days - unless you like standing in the sun waiting for tables, sitting in traffic, etc. Sunday afternoon's probably the worst (like, right now?).

I actually think the peel 'n' eat shrimp and other steamed seafood on the picnic tables at Neptune's Net (not to mention the aforementioned scene) is well worth the trek out to the VEN Co. line, but note that it's definitely an order-at-the-counter place, and not the tourist zoo/scene at some other beachside spots.