Serra Retreat

Welcome to Serra Retreat

Malibu's stunning, secluded hilltop retreat

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For those wishing to eschew oceanside living, Malibu offers a serene and secluded alternative in Serra Retreat. Tucked into the hillside of Malibu Canyon, the community earns its name from the Catholic retreat and conference center (overseen by the Franciscan Friars) that sits atop Malibu's most stunning peak.

Serra Retreat is equal parts rural and private. Enthusiastic buyers will discover a vast array of possibilities when choosing their living space. Lots range from modest 1-acre sites with smaller, well-appointed multi-million dollar homes to those of five or more acres. The latter option secures enough room for grand, eight-figure estates complete with massive pools, custom tennis courts, and breathtaking views.

The most impressive homes in the guard-gated community (and the most private) are those along Palm Canyon Road to the north and Sweetwater Mesa Road to the south. Residences clustered together in the heart of the community offer a more traditional neighborhood setting while retaining an exclusive lifestyle.

What to Love

• Private, hillside community with easy access to the shops, restaurants, and beachside activities of Malibu
• Outstanding diversity of homes and homesites, many with sweeping views of the Pacific and Santa Monica Mountains
• Access to hiking, biking, and equestrian trails

People & Lifestyle

Serra Retreat offers elite living for those willing to pay a premium for peace and solitude and who prefer to keep Malibu's more popular and frequented areas at arm's length. Residents value privacy and seclusion above all else in Serra Retreat. However, individuals with an appreciation for nature and a rural lifestyle will find the community to be very much to their liking. 

Of course, you're not entirely cut off from society. Much of what makes Malibu a standout location—fabulous restaurants, boutique shops, and, of course, the beach—are mere minutes from your doorstep.

Dining, Shopping & Entertainment

The Serra Retreat Center not only serves as the community's namesake, but it’s also its peaceful, beating heart. The spiritual retreat dates back to 1943 when the Franciscan Friars opened its doors to those seeking inspiration, reflection, and relief from a hurried world. The center is open for personal or group retreats.

Even with a setting more akin to a distant, hillside hideaway, Serra Retreat is close to exceptional Malibu shops and restaurants. Hotspots such as the Malibu Pier and the Malibu Country Mart are a 20-minute walk and 10-minute bike ride away, respectively. Also nearby is the upscale café Blue Bottle Coffee and a Whole Foods Market.

Things to Do

Just across from Serra Retreat's southern entrance and the Pacific Coast Highway is the gorgeous 110-acre Malibu Lagoon State Beach, where birdwatching and surfing are favorite pastimes. The on-site Adamson House and Malibu Lagoon Museum is always worth a visit.

Schools

Serra Retreat is home to a number of excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:

• Webster Elementary School, Public, K-5
• Malibu Elementary School, Public, K-5
• Malibu Middle School, Public, 6-8
• Malibu High School, Public, 6-12
• The Sycamore School, Private, K-5
• Our Lady of Malibu School, Private, K-8
• Pepperdine University, Private