Adamson House Museum Malibu Day Trip

The Adamson House Museum is a stunning California home that rivals even the grandeur of Hearst Castle, with its Los Angeles-style architecture located on Malibu Beach. It is one of the earliest examples of a quintessential Californian-style residence. Initially built for the Rindge-Adamson family, who were the proprietors of the famous Malibu Potteries, this quasi-mansion is a true gem.

The house is situated on a sandy lagoon next to Surfrider Beach, Malibu Lagoon, and the bird sanctuary in Malibu.

Adamson House History

The property was the last to be part of the Malibu Spanish grant. It contained excellent examples of early California tile, giving guests a sense of when all the Spanish revival homes were being built in and around the area.

This architectural marvel is covered in thousands of ornate tiles and is ideally situated on two acres of prime Southern California real estate.

Beautiful flagstone pathways wind through stunning landscapes, enhanced by expertly maintained trees, indigenous shrubs, and a vast array of flowers in every shade and type.

The property boasts sparkling fountains, a pool, and a beautiful adjoining bathhouse, all adorned with stunning Malibu tile. It is an ideal location to spread out a blanket, enjoy a picnic, and immerse oneself in the beauty of nature.

Adamson House Guided Tour

To see the home’s interior, a half-hour-long, docent-led tour gives visitors some California social history and art history and an account of the property itself.

It’s well worth it, as even from the inside, the views are breathtaking, all designed to provide spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean from more than one wall in almost every room.

While roaming the house’s interior, don’t forget to look for everyday household items made entirely from tile, the most famous being the Persian rug and the kitchen clock.

So much attention to detail in every property area, from ceiling to baseboards, has been taken, as the original owners, the Adamson and the Rindge families, outdid themselves when decorating their homes. Yes, even a fancy dog’s bath is covered in Malibu tile.

Malibu Lagoon Museum

The Malibu Lagoon Museum is also on the property adjacent to the Adamson House.

The museum contains a collection of artifacts, rare photographs, and documents depicting the colorful history of Malibu. It takes visitors from the early Chumash Indian era through the Spanish California culture.

The Adamson House stands out for its refreshing uniqueness and doesn’t have the stuffy feel of other historic homes found in other places. Its relaxed southern California vibe takes guests back to a time before Malibu became a trendy destination for celebrities and the wealthy.

Getting to Adamson House

The house and the museum are open from Wednesday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Admission to the museum is free. There’s also a unique little gift shop where you can purchase some reproduction Malibu tiles because you will want to redecorate your humble abode after walking around for a couple of hours.

Taking photos or videos inside the building is off-limits. Still, there are plenty of opportunities to take pictures of the house’s exterior, the gardens, and photographs of the Malibu Lagoon and Surfrider Beach, too.

While it’s free to wander the grounds, guided tours of the Adamson House require a small fee. Free and paid parking is nearby—Adamson House Address: 23200 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, California.

Things To Do In Malibu Beach

Malibu Creek State Park

Southern California Hidden Gems