Blackburn has no sober housing in Malibu or Topanga. Our sober living homes for men are in Venice and Mar Vista near the coast, and in Cheviot Hills and Mid City; the sober apartments are in West Los Angeles. This page is for men from Malibu, Topanga and the rest of the county’s coastline who want to stay near the ocean while they get sober, with the Westside a drive down the coast highway or out of the canyons.
For the apartments, schedule an apartment tour.
A small population on a long coastline
This is the least populated region on our site. It is a long strip of coast and canyon between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific, plus one island.
- Malibu: about 10,700 residents (Census Bureau 2022 estimate via LA Almanac), a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway from Mar Vista, longer or shorter depending on where along the coast you start. It is its own incorporated city, stretched out along the coast highway.
- Topanga: about 8,200 residents (same source), an unincorporated canyon community roughly 15 miles away.
- Avalon: about 3,400 residents (same source), the only city on Santa Catalina Island. There is no road link to the mainland, so the trip starts with a ferry.
Coastal mileage is approximate, and the Pacific Coast Highway can be slow or closed, so check current conditions and a map before planning any trip.
Getting from the coast to the Westside
Transit is thin along this stretch of coast, and our data has no confirmed line for Malibu or Topanga. Here is what we can say with a source behind it:
- Downtown Santa Monica is the gateway. The Metro E Line ends there, and from Santa Monica it runs east to Expo/Bundy, Expo/Sepulveda, Westwood/Rancho Park, Palms and Culver City (Los Angeles Metro). Anyone coming down the coast toward the Westside passes through Santa Monica.
- Metro 602. Runs from Pacific Palisades along Sunset Boulevard to Westwood, the nearest cited Metro line on the Malibu side of the Westside.
- Topanga from the Valley side. Metro 150 runs along Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley, between Chatsworth and Encino.
- Catalina. From Avalon, the ferry reaches the mainland harbor area. From there, see our Harbor and Long Beach page for the A Line, J Line and Metro 550 options toward the Westside.
For current coastal bus service, check metro.net and Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus before you rely on transit.
Why men from the coast come to the Westside
For a lot of men from the coast, the ocean is part of how they stay well, and they do not want to give it up to get sober. Our homes in Venice and Mar Vista keep the beach close, so the move changes the setting without changing the life they want to build.
The other reason is isolation. Malibu and Topanga are beautiful, and they are also spread out, with long drives to almost everything. In early recovery, when a man may not be driving and needs meetings, work and people around him every day, that distance works against him. The Westside puts meetings, jobs and a large recovery community within a short walk, bike ride or bus ride.
And it keeps home close. From Venice, the coast highway runs back toward Malibu, so family visits stay easy.
Sober living or sober apartments
In Venice and our other sober living homes, the structure is built for early recovery: drug tests 3 times a week, daily alcohol tests, medication management systems and weekly updates to families, providers and treatment teams. Residents can work full time and enroll in local colleges. Tours are in person or virtual.
Our sober apartments in West Los Angeles are for men ready for independence: furnished, month to month, with utilities and WiFi, weekly random drug and alcohol testing, and no curfew or overnight permission. Anyone who qualifies can apply. Schedule an apartment tour, or call or text (888) 305-5422.
For coastal families and treatment teams
Families in Malibu or Topanga can visit easily, and a virtual tour of sober living is available if schedules are tight. Once he is living in one of our homes, weekly updates go to his family, providers and treatment team. Families can also join the free virtual family support group every other Tuesday, 6 to 7 PM Pacific, led by a licensed therapist from Blackburn Clinical Services. For a man coming from Catalina or leaving treatment, we offer sober transport and sober companion support. See our families page and the page for treatment professionals.
LA County’s Substance Abuse Service Helpline, 1-800-854-7771 option 2, covers the coast and Catalina as well (LA County Substance Abuse Prevention and Control).
Questions from Malibu and the coast
Is there public transit from Malibu to the Westside?
It is limited, and we have not confirmed a current line for Malibu. The Metro E Line starts in Downtown Santa Monica, and Metro 602 runs from Pacific Palisades to Westwood. Check metro.net for current coastal service.
Will I still be near the beach?
Yes. Our sober living homes in Venice and Mar Vista are close to the coast. The apartments are in West Los Angeles.
I live in Topanga. How far is it?
Roughly 15 miles by road to Mar Vista, though that is an approximate figure and canyon roads can be slow.
Can someone help me get from Catalina to the Westside?
Yes. Blackburn offers sober transport and sober companion support, and we can help plan the trip from the ferry onward.
Nearby places and regions
Place page: Malibu. Also nearby: Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica. Neighboring regions: Westside and San Fernando Valley. Back to all areas in Los Angeles County.
For the apartments, schedule an apartment tour.