Melissa's place in Malibu is pure magic. The house is situated on nearly 300 acres of a private nature reserve which you largely have to yourself, along with coyotes, hawks, owls and parrots. The mountains of Nicholas Canyon provide a stunning backdrop, and it's just a scamper across the PCH to the wild and raw beaches of Northern Malibu. I stayed for a month and would have stayed longer if I had been smart enough to book in advance. Melissa, Mark and Peter (her dear Dad) literally could not have been nicer or more pleasant. Thoughtful touches around the house and incredible responsiveness. Need to borrow soy sauce? No problem. Extra tennis rackets for the (incredible) private courts which we played at nightly? Coming right up. There was no ask too big or small. I felt completely away from it all, while just 60 min from Los Angeles. A true retreat for anyone seeking the peace and solitude of old-school, real, authentic MALIBU.