Serra Retreat Neighborhood

The Franciscan friars' Serra Retreat, named for Junipero Serra, the apostle of California and founder of the California missions. Originally planned as the home of Malibu's Rindge family, it was sold to the Franciscans in 1942.

Serra Retreat (also called Serra Canyon) is a wooded canyon area adjacent to Malibu Creek in Lower Malibu Canyon, as well as a portion of Sweetwater Mesa.

The approximately 96 property owners of the small, secluded area belong to the Serra Canyon Property Owners Association, which was formed to maintain a protect the privately-owned, country road of the canyon community. Entry to the community is controlled by two guarded drives, one off PCH and the other on Cross Creek Road.

The Franciscan friars' Serra Retreat (photo above) was originally planned as the home of Malibu's Rindge family, but it was sold to the Franciscans in 1942 during the disposition of the Rindge fortune. Today's Serra Retreat neighborhood is in the vicinity of the grounds of the original Rindge estate and lands.

Serra Canyon consists of approximately 96 lots ranging from under one-half acre to four acres, with a few in excess of four acres. All but a handfull are developed as single-family residences at this time. The homes range from small to large reflecting the diverse economic and architectural make-up of the special Malibu locale. Eighty-percent of the lots are one acre or less, with the remaining twenty percent more than one acre. As the historic center of Rancho Malibu, its rural character is unique and treasured.

Sources: Information on this page was adapted from the City of Malibu, General Plan, November 1995

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