Malibu is a coastal city in Los Angeles County, California, located in the Santa Monica Mountains along 21 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline. Incorporated on March 28, 1991, the city covers about 19.8 square miles and has a population of roughly 10,700. Malibu is one of the most recognizable coastal communities in the country, known for its beaches, surf culture, scenic canyon roads, and oceanfront homes. The city's identity is inseparable from its shoreline. Surfrider Beach, near the Malibu Pier, was named the first World Surfing Reserve, recognizing its place in the history of surfing, while Zuma Beach serves as a broad, family-friendly stretch of sand. Malibu Lagoon State Beach, the Malibu Pier, and the Adamson House add to a coastline that draws visitors from around the world. Behind the beaches, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area provides trails, canyons, and open space that give the city its distinctive natural backdrop. Higher education anchors part of the community: Pepperdine University's main campus sits along the Pacific Coast Highway above the ocean, and the campus is its own census-designated place. Public schools are provided by the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Malibu's residential character is defined by oceanfront estates, bluff-top contemporaries, and hillside homes. Point Dume, on the beach side of PCH, is known for its large lots and sweeping ocean views, while Malibu Colony and other beachside enclaves hold long-standing waterfront properties. Canyon communities add equestrian and mountainside options. Transportation is dominated by the Pacific Coast Highway, which runs the length of the city and connects it to Santa Monica and Los Angeles, while canyon roads link inland to the 101 Freeway. The city is largely car-dependent, with Metro bus service along PCH. Malibu suits residents drawn to a coastal, outdoors-oriented lifestyle, and its combination of beaches, mountains, and scenic seclusion makes it one of the most distinctive places to live in Los Angeles County.