When Southern California visitors consider Malibu, they usually think –– beach. And while Malibu is known for its picturesque small town surf vibe, numerous other treasures lie within the town and its surroundings.

Here's one popular day trip route that takes you in and around the town for some astounding cultural finds, vistas, and one great lunch.

The Getty Villa

The trip starts just outside Malibu's boundaries, in Pacific Palisades. Perched atop Pacific Coast Highway, the Getty Villa commands broad ocean views, and an in-depth look at Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities. Oil Tycoon J. Paul Getty began the museum inside his home in the mid 1950s, but ran out of room. The Getty Villa opened in 1974, inspired by the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum.

The sprawling grounds are an oasis, and include lengthy outer and inner peristyles with pools surrounded by Roman-style gardens. Getty wanted visitors to experience an approximation of what a Roman villa was like.

The collection comprises 44,000 Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities spanning 6,500 BC to 400 AD. Among the standouts: the Lansdowne Heracles, and Victorious Youth, a life-size Greek bronze statue. Getty's second museum, the J. Paul Getty Museum in Brentwood, houses Western art from the Middle Ages to the present.

Admission to the Getty Villa is free, but a visitation time must be reserved on the museum's website. To beat the traffic along Pacific Coast Highway, arrive at 9 or 10 a.m.

The Getty Villa ––– 17985 Pacific Coast Highway / Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Lunch at Geoffrey's

Searching for a great lunch spot in Malibu invariably leads visitors to some predictable spots –– but for oceanside dining with a crisp, clean, and elegant Malibu feel, Geoffrey's is the spot.

To reach Geoffrey's, continue north from the Getty Villa, traveling about 14 miles along Pacific Coast Highway.

Surrounded by waterfalls, tropic plants, fire pits and white umbrellas, Geoffrey's ever-popular deck overlooking the Pacific is usually packed for lunch. A reservation is recommended, and the earlier you arrive, the more of that deck and ocean view you'll have for yourself.

Every table has a panoramic ocean view. Lunch and brunch menus (the spot is also open for dinner) include ahi tuna tartar, octopus seaweed salad, soups, and entrees that range from miso braised tofu and filet mignon to scallops and seafood paella.

Owner Jeff Peterson began as a Geoffrey's busboy in the late 1980s. Under his direction, the restaurant has grown to become a magnet to Hollywood notables, as well as politicians and sports figures. Executive chef Bijan G. Shokatfard began his career at age 22 at Huntington Beach's Cafe Regata. He attended the California Culinary Academy, San Francisco, and graduated in 1997.

Geoffrey's, 27400 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265 Reservations.

Malibu Hindu Temple

The elaborate temple is somewhat of an oddity tucked away in its mountainous surroundings. To reach it, backtrack along Pacific Coast Highway, and just after Pepperdine University, turn left (the only way) onto Malibu Canyon Road taking you inland along a  mountainous road. You'll travel about 14 miles.

The ultra white, decorative temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Venkateswara. Built in 1981 by the Hindu Temple Society of Southern California, the grounds can be eerily silent, with just a few priests walking about. Feel free to ask them questions –– and if they are available, they're happy to explain the various shrines, ceremonies, and the type of worship they perform.

Comprised of upper and lower complexes, the temple also honors Shiva and various other deities. An office on the grounds supplies brochure for an overview of the temple.

The Malibu Hindu Temple (actually located in Calabasas) has free entry. The temple is open every day of the year. Hours of operation. Located at: 1600 Las Virgenes Canyon Road, Calabasas, CA 91302