Private Vintage VW Hippie Tour to Malibu with wine tasting

The fun starts with the ride: you travel north from Santa Monica in a vintage camper van, following the Pacific Coast Highway toward Malibu. The coastal drive, a stop at Malibu Pier, and a wine tasting make this a half-day outing with more character than a standard sightseeing shuttle.

I like two things in particular: the private format, which keeps the trip to your group, and the chance to see the coast from the road rather than only from a beach parking lot. The cheese, salami, and baguette served with the tasting also make the wine stop feel like part of the outing, not just a quick pour.

One thing to weigh before booking: this is a Malibu sightseeing tour with a wine tasting, not a full winery tour. The tasting covers four wines, and the tour’s main emphasis is the coastal drive. If you want an extended winery visit or several tasting rooms, this may not be the right fit.

Key things to know before you go

• The VW camper is part of the appeal: You travel in a vintage van rather than a standard tour vehicle.
• Malibu Pier gets a brief visit: The scheduled stop is 15 minutes, enough for a look around but not a long beach visit.
• The coast is the main event: The route follows the Pacific Coast Highway, known locally as PCH, along Malibu’s shoreline.
• Your tasting includes four wines: Cheese, salami, and baguette are included with the tasting.
• It is a private tour: Only your group participates, with morning and afternoon departures available.
• Bring your own water and sunscreen: Neither is included.

The vintage VW sets the mood

A vintage camper van changes the feel of a coastal drive. You are not just being carried from one stop to another; the vehicle gives the outing its own easygoing, retro character. One couple described their anniversary ride as feeling like a celebrity outing, which captures the playful appeal without promising a particular kind of service or attention.

The practical point is that the van is a central part of the experience, not a minor detail. If you like unusual vehicles and want a memorable way to get from Santa Monica to Malibu, that can make the price easier to justify. If comfort, legroom, or a modern vehicle matters more to you than atmosphere, ask the operator about the van before booking. The information available does not specify seating layout or other vehicle details.

The tour is private, so your group does not share the outing with strangers. That can be a real advantage for a couple marking an occasion or a small group that wants to set its own pace. The tour is still about four hours long, though, and the published schedule does not promise custom stops or hotel drop-off.

Two guides named in accounts of past tours are Alexey and Alejandro. Both were singled out for friendly, engaging guiding, and Alejandro was praised for pointing out places along the way. Guide assignments can vary, so treat those names as examples rather than a guarantee.

PCH is the scenic route to Malibu

Malibu stretches for about 27 miles along the Pacific coast, west of the Los Angeles basin. Here the shoreline runs east to west, with the Santa Monica Mountains rising behind it and leaving a narrow strip of land between hills and water. The Pacific Coast Highway, usually called PCH, is the road that follows this coastal strip.

That geography explains why the drive is a major part of the tour. The views shift between ocean, beach, and mountain slopes, and the route gives you a sense of how close the hills sit to the shore. You are seeing the coast from the road, not spending the whole outing on foot or at one destination.

I would keep expectations sensible: this is a four-hour trip, not a slow coastal holiday with hours at every beach. The tour summary emphasizes picturesque views, but it does not promise a particular beach stop beyond Malibu Pier. Traffic and the amount of time spent on the road can affect the rhythm of any drive, and the supplied details do not give a precise route or list every viewpoint.

The start point is Santa Monica Pier, an accessible meeting place near public transportation. The tour also ends there, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from Malibu. That makes it a practical option if you are already spending time in Santa Monica.

Malibu Pier: a quick look at surf culture

The tour’s named stop is Malibu Pier, where you have 15 minutes. The pier sits beside Surfrider Beach, a well-known break in California’s surf culture. The three-point break is famed for long rides, sometimes 300 yards or more, and the pier offers a compact way to see this stretch of shoreline.

Malibu Pier also brings together the coast’s surf identity and its seaside atmosphere. Restaurants serve classic coastal fare, and the pier’s history gives the stop more context than a quick photo by the water. With only 15 minutes scheduled, think of it as a short look around rather than time for a meal, a long walk, or a swim.

That short duration is worth noting if you are hoping for beach time. The itinerary does not promise time to surf, visit a restaurant, or linger at Surfrider Beach. You will get a taste of the setting, then continue the outing.

Four wines, with a simple snack plate

The wine tasting includes four types of wine, alongside cheese, salami, and baguette. That is a useful pairing for a half-day tour: you get something to eat with the tasting, rather than relying on wine alone. Bottled water is not included, so bring your own, especially if you are going in warm weather.

The precise winery or tasting venue is not named in the tour details. A past account described the tasting as a short visit to a winery at the end of the trip, which suggests the tasting may be the final part of the outing. Still, if the venue, setting, or length of the tasting matters to you, confirm those details with Fun Surf LA before booking.

This distinction matters because the title can give the impression of a dedicated wine excursion. In practice, the main draw is the Malibu drive, with one tasting included. If you want to spend most of your time learning about wine or visiting multiple producers, this tour may feel light on wine. If you want a coastal ride with a tasting as a pleasant extra, the balance may suit you well.

Is $195 per person good value?

At $195 per person, this is not a budget sightseeing ride. The value depends on what you are paying for: a private four-hour outing, a vintage VW camper, a coastal route, a Malibu Pier stop, and a four-wine tasting with snacks. For a couple or small group celebrating a special occasion, having the vehicle and guide to yourselves can be more appealing than joining a larger bus tour.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a long wine tasting or lots of time at the beach. The pier stop is only 15 minutes, and the tasting is one part of a tour centered on Malibu’s coastline. Group discounts are offered, but no discount amount is specified, so check the price for your party rather than assuming a particular saving.

The overall rating is 4.9 from 17 ratings, with 94 percent of participants recommending the tour. The strong points people have praised include the scenic views, the van’s appearance and condition, and guides who make the drive enjoyable. One less positive account described a rushed outing and disappointment over not receiving a hotel drop-off, so do not assume the tour includes transport beyond the stated Santa Monica Pier start and end point.

Choose your timing and plan the basics

You can choose a morning or afternoon departure. The exact schedule is not provided here, so check the available times before you book and consider how the timing fits with the rest of your day. Either way, plan for about four hours from departure to return.

The meeting and return point is Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California. The activity is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The experience is private, meaning only your party joins the tour, but the information does not specify a maximum group size.

Bring sunscreen and bottled water, since neither is included. Confirmation is received at booking. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted. The outing depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this Malibu outing?

I would consider this tour if you want a distinctive way to see the coast and prefer a small private outing to a shared group tour. It suits couples and small groups who enjoy vintage vehicles, scenic drives, and a relaxed tasting, especially if they are celebrating an occasion. The private format and the return to Santa Monica Pier make the plan straightforward.

It is less suited to someone looking for a full winery itinerary, extensive time on the sand, or a guaranteed hotel transfer. The tasting is limited to four wines, and the named pier stop is brief. Go in expecting a coastal tour with wine included, and you are less likely to mistake the emphasis.

Should you book it?

Book if the vintage VW ride and Malibu views are the main reasons you want to go, with wine and snacks as welcome extras. Before paying, confirm the tasting location, departure time, and any group discount that applies to your party. If your priority is a long winery visit or an unhurried beach day, choose a different outing.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts about four hours.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates.

What is included in the wine tasting?

The tasting includes four types of wine, plus cheese, salami, and baguette.

Is bottled water included?

No. Bottled water is not included, so bring your own.

How long is the stop at Malibu Pier?

The scheduled stop is 15 minutes.

Can I choose a morning or afternoon departure?

Yes. Both morning and afternoon departure times are offered.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted.