The Beacon has everything you could ask for in a holiday retreat. The views alone are stunning, but that’s really only the start – we could also talk about the lawn, the kitchen, or the designer furniture. It’s a bit behind Malibu proper, so while you are isolated, that’s kind of the point. Having to drive to the shops is a small price to pay (particularly in a city like LA) for the splendid calm that is on offer here. Home truths: *You'll have to go up ten steps to reach the front door *The house is set back in the hills, and there aren't any shops in walking distance