Malibu: Vintage VW Sightseeing Tour and Wine Tasting

The best part of this Malibu outing is getting a coastal drive in a 1972 VW van, then stepping out at Point Dume for ocean and cliff views. I like the old-school van ride and the wine tasting with a cheese, salami, and bread plate: both make this more than a routine coast trip.

There is a practical catch: you pay $195 per person for a four-hour tour, and the day can depend on traffic, road access, and the condition of a vintage vehicle. Past outings have included excellent guides and smooth, fun drives, but also serious complaints about noise, seatbelts, breakdowns, and limited commentary. I would confirm current road and vehicle arrangements before booking.

• A 1972 VW van sets the tone: The vehicle is an attraction in its own right, with photo stops built into the trip.
• Point Dume is the standout viewpoint: Allow time to walk and take in the cliffs and ocean.
• Malibu Pier and Surfrider Beach add a classic coast stop: You can stroll the pier and watch surfers when conditions allow.
• The tasting includes four local wines: Rosenthal serves the flight with cheese, salami, and bread.
• Guides have included Stephen and Alexey: Past outings praise their easygoing approach, but your guide may vary.
• The experience is best for adults who value atmosphere: You must be at least 21, and the van’s age means comfort and reliability are worth checking.

A vintage van makes the coast the main event

This is a private or small-group sightseeing tour that starts in Santa Monica and heads north along the Pacific Coast Highway toward Malibu. It lasts about four hours, with a wine tasting at Rosenthal and stops at well-known coastal sights.

The van gives the trip a character a standard rental car cannot match. Its 1972 age and hippie styling are part of the appeal, and the planned photo breaks let you use it as a backdrop rather than simply as transport. You may find that the van attracts attention, as it has on past outings.

That charm comes with a trade-off. A vintage vehicle is not the quiet, smooth ride you would expect from a modern coach. One past outing reported loud engine noise, exhaust odor, repeated stalling, and too few working seatbelts. That does not establish the van’s current condition, but it is a sensible reason to ask the operator about safety checks and working restraints before you pay.

The tour is offered as a private or small-group experience, which can make the ride feel more personal than a large bus excursion. Yet the intimate setting also means that the guide’s commentary matters. In past outings, guides Stephen and Alexey were praised for being friendly, accommodating, and good at taking the group to scenic spots. Another account described little area information and trouble hearing the guide. If local context is a priority, ask what kind of commentary to expect.

From Santa Monica toward Malibu

The meeting point may vary according to the option you book. The listed starting locations are near Santa Monica Pier, including 1537 Ocean Avenue. Check your booking details carefully so you do not assume the pier entrance itself is the exact meeting spot.

Once aboard, you head north on Pacific Coast Highway. The route is the tour’s spine: coastal views, Malibu’s beach communities, and the drive toward the town’s northern end, where the tour description places celebrity homes and more secluded beaches. The drive is listed at about 40 minutes on the way out, though traffic and closures can change the pace.

The highway is a scenic attraction, but it is also a working road. Traffic can cut into time at stops, and a past tour was forced to use more freeway driving after wildfire-related road closures. That is a useful reminder that the advertised coast route cannot always be guaranteed. If a particular viewpoint is important to you, ask whether access is currently open before booking.

The van’s windows, noise level, and seating can shape how much you enjoy the ride. You are not just being delivered between stops; a substantial portion of the four hours is spent in the vehicle. I would choose this outing for the nostalgic ride and the stops, not for a polished, quiet sightseeing coach.

Malibu Pier, Surfrider Beach, and mountain views

The itinerary allows about 20 minutes of free time at Malibu Pier. That is enough for a short walk and a few photos, but not a long meal or a relaxed exploration. The pier is a familiar landmark and a pleasant chance to leave the van, stretch your legs, and take in the ocean from the water’s edge.

Nearby Surfrider Beach is known for its surf breaks, and the tour points out surfers riding the waves. From the coast, you can also get views toward the Santa Monica Mountains. The changing mix of ocean, surf, and hills gives the drive more variety than a sequence of beach stops alone.

The schedule also includes another 20-minute sightseeing period, though a specific stop is not named in the details. Treat that time as a flexible pause rather than counting on a particular location. The guide and road conditions will determine how the day is paced.

Twenty minutes can feel brief if you want to linger. On the other hand, a short stop keeps the trip moving and leaves room for Point Dume and wine tasting within a four-hour tour. Bring your phone or camera ready, since the planned stops are intended for photos as well as sightseeing.

Point Dume is the coast’s big viewpoint

Point Dume is the most compelling named nature stop on the route. The tour sets aside about 20 minutes for a photo stop, sightseeing, and a walk. Its cliffs and ocean views are the kind of scenery that can make the van ride worthwhile, especially if you want a taste of Malibu beyond the pier.

The time is modest, so plan on a short visit rather than a long trail outing. The information provided does not promise a specific hike or route, and access can be affected by local conditions. If you have your heart set on a particular overlook, confirm what is open before the tour date.

A past outing had a guide discourage the group from going to a lookout because of traffic. That is a reminder that the schedule can shift and that a scenic stop is not always guaranteed in exactly the form you expect. Ask the guide early about the planned Point Dume visit, especially if viewpoints are a key reason you are booking.

Even with limited time, Point Dume gives the trip a welcome change of pace. You get out of the van, take in the cliffs and ocean, and have a chance to make photographs with the Malibu coast behind you. It is likely to be the most memorable stop for anyone who prefers natural views to a tasting room.

Four wines at Rosenthal

The final major stop is Rosenthal’s wine tasting room. The included tasting is a flight of four local wines, paired with a plate of cheese, salami, and bread or crackers. It gives the tour a relaxed finish and a taste of California wine without requiring you to plan a separate winery visit.

The tasting is scheduled for about 40 minutes. That is enough for a flight and a snack, but it is not a long winery tour. The experience is centered on tasting rather than a stated vineyard walk or cellar visit. Past outings have described the room as having music and a relaxed atmosphere, while another described the tasting stop as rushed. Your experience may depend on timing and how the day has gone.

For morning departures, the wine tasting takes place at the end of the tour. That order makes sense: you can enjoy the coastal stops first and finish with the wine flight. Remember that you must be at least 21 to participate, and bring a passport or ID card.

The food plate is included, but water is not. Bring your own water, especially if you want a drink during the drive or at the stops. The tour does not include gratuities either, so account for those separately if you choose to tip.

Is $195 a fair price?

At $195 per person, this is not the budget way to see Malibu. The price buys a four-hour guided outing, transport in a distinctive vintage vehicle, several coastal stops, and a four-wine flight with a snack plate. For a small group or private outing that values the van as part of the experience, those pieces may add up to a worthwhile half-day.

If your main goal is simply to reach Malibu Pier or Point Dume, a car can cost less and gives you more control over how long you stay. One past participant felt the tour was expensive compared with renting a car and was unimpressed by the tasting. That is a fair comparison: this tour charges for the atmosphere, transport, and hosted itinerary, not just admission to a single attraction.

The value is strongest if you want someone else to handle the drive and enjoy the novelty of the van. It is weaker if you want extensive historical commentary, a long winery visit, or a reliable, quiet ride. The wine tasting is a bonus, not a full wine-country excursion.

I would also weigh the mixed reports about service and vehicle condition. Some outings featured guides who made the day feel easy and fun; others had problems with noise, limited narration, traffic, or mechanical trouble. Since the vehicle is central to the experience, current details about seatbelts and road plans matter more here than they would on a standard sightseeing bus.

Who will enjoy this outing most

Book it if you are 21 or older, enjoy vintage vehicles, and want a social, photo-friendly way to see a few Malibu sights without organizing your own transport. It can work especially well for a small group celebrating a day out, as long as everyone is comfortable spending a good part of the trip in an old van.

It is also a reasonable fit for solo visitors who like a small-group setting. One past solo participant described the atmosphere as friendly and relaxed, and named guide Stephen as especially attentive. Guides can change, so treat that as an example of the kind of outing the operator has provided, not a promise about your day.

I would skip it if comfort, quiet, or detailed local history is your top priority. The vehicle’s age is the selling point, but it is also the main uncertainty. If you are traveling with anyone who needs a guaranteed quiet ride or has concerns about vehicle access, ask the company direct questions before committing.

The provider offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms offer some flexibility, but they do not answer the most important practical questions: whether the usual coastal roads are open and whether the van is running safely and comfortably.

FAQ

How long is the Malibu VW tour?

The tour lasts about four hours. The schedule includes coastal driving, stops at Malibu Pier and Point Dume, and a wine tasting.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point may vary by booking option. Listed starting points include Santa Monica Pier and 1537 Ocean Avenue, so check your confirmation for the exact location.

What is included in the wine tasting?

You receive a flight of four local wines, along with a plate of cheese, salami, and bread or crackers.

Is the wine tasting available to everyone?

No. Participants must be at least 21 years old, and the tour asks you to bring a passport or ID card.

What sights are included?

The route includes a scenic drive on Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu Pier, Point Dume, and views of Surfrider Beach and the Santa Monica Mountains.

Is water included?

No. Water is not included, so bring your own.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The experience also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.