Experience delicious food and Hollywood history at Bob Morris' Paradise Cove Beach Café in Malibu

Photo byTracy Carbone

When my daughter was in high school, we flew from Massachusetts to San Diego so she could tour colleges. After a visit to San Diego State and some sightseeing, we drove up the PCH to Santa Barbara.

On the long drive from San Diego to Santa Barbara we stumbled upon Bob Morris’ Paradise Cove Beach Café at 28128 Pacific Coast Hwy. We were instantly swept away with the beauty of the location and the restaurant itself. It was wonderful to eat a delicious meal while we wiggled our bare toes in hot sand.

Fast forward eight years to last weekend when I finally made it back to Paradise Cove, this time with my husband. We’ve recently binge watched The Rockford Files, and the restaurant parking lot is where the character Jim Rockford housed his trailer. Beyond The Rockford Files, per IAMNOTASTALKER other TV and movies filmed onsite include: Monster-in-Law, Alias, Charlie’s Angels, X, Indecent Proposal. American Pie 2, and Lethal Weapon 4. The Beach Boys shot the cover for their Surfin’ Safari album at the Cove.

It was as wonderful as the first time but be warned, it’s pricey. To park, without getting food at the restaurant, it’s $45 for 4 hours, or $60 on a weekend. If you spent $30 at the restaurant, the parking drops to $15.

Paradise Cove road, Malibu CAPhoto byTracy Carbone

Food prices are a little steep but the view, food quality, large portions, and the fun atmosphere offset the cost. I opted for the sweet corn and avocado tacos. My husband got chicken and shrimp tacos. We also tried the Bourbon bread pudding with ice cream which was delicious.

Paradise Cove, sweet corn and avocado tacos and friesPhoto byTracy Carbone

Bourbon bread pudding with ice cream and fresh fruit-Paradise Cafe, Malibu CAPhoto byTracy Carbone

Our table was beachside and lovely. Seagulls were mere feet away, and we had a great view of the pier and passing boats. After our meal we took advantage of the time we had leftover in our parking allotment. There was no shortage of shells and pretty rocks on the beach, and walking in the warm sand was delightful.

Paradise Cove Beach Cafe' Malibu CAPhoto byTracy Carbone

Beach by the Paradise Cove Beach Cafe, Malibu CAPhoto byTracy Carbone

Per the Cove’s website, owner Bob Morris’ father bought Paradise Cove many years ago, “paying from $3,500 to $25,000 an acre.” His father, “first bought 30 acres adjoining the Cove from Fred Roberts and subsequently bought the adjoining 40 acres from Bill Swanson assembling the Cove in the configuration that it is today.”

Through the 1950’s and early 60’s hundreds of fishermen visited every day, and “Malibu was a kickback beach community. A time for Beach Blanket Bingo, Gidget and the television shows Sea Hunt and Malibu Run all of which were filmed at the Cove.” But Papa Joe, his father, and owner at the time, sold the cove to the Kissel Family.

Bob and his brother Bryant, continued the tradition of developing seaside properties. Bryant, “built destination waterfront villages: Fisherman’s Village in Marina del Rey, Shoreline Village in Long Beach and Seaport Village in San Diego.” While Bob “built Gladstone’s Malibu, The Jetty, RJ’s the Rib Joint, Malibu Sea Lion, Gladstone’s Universal Citywalk and a few others.”

In 1996, when Bob’s son was born he knew he wanted to return to the cove, so two years later in 1998 he bought his father’s old restaurant and renamed it Bob Morris’ Paradise Cove Beach Café. If you’re visiting the area or are a local, make a trip out and experience great food and Hollywood history.