Surfer's Paradise
Malibu, California
Status: In permitting
John Hreno’s work at Hoerr Schaudt
A coastal Malibu garden where the cultivated meets the wild rhythm of seaside living. The design weaves native meadow, olive grove, and hidden garden into a sequence of moments—intimate and open, sheltered and endless—rooted in the landscape of Point Dume.
Aerial view from property entry
Overall site plan
Flower garden with citrus trees
View from second-floor balcony
Materials at the entry
Surfer's Paradise is a private residential landscape near a great surf break at Point Dume in Malibu, where the boundary between the cultivated garden and the surrounding seaside setting is softened through layered, textural planting. The property unfolds as a sequence of moments, beginning with an entry drive surrounded by a native wildflower and grass meadow that establishes the coastal character from the first arrival.
A swimming pool sits on the terrace between the main house and a refined surf shack and wellness building at the front of the property, gathering the outdoor life of the home around water. The main house creates a courtyard defined by a mature olive grove, with a dining table set in the middle, surrounded by a gravel garden that extends the living space into the open air.
At the rear of the main house lies a secret outdoor living room, enclosed by a canopy of flowering trees and animated by a water feature—a quiet, shaded retreat hidden within the larger landscape.
The landscape feels effortless yet carefully composed, where meandering paths, textured foliage, and the silhouette of palms extend the spirit of the Malibu shoreline to the doorstep of the home.
Status
In permitting
John’s role
Collaborative garden and planting design, detail development, and permit documentation
Project area
1.3 acres
Client
Private
Landscape elements
Wildflower meadow, swimming pool, olive grove, secret garden with water feature, gravel and stone paths
Architecture
Jim Eserts Architecture
Photography
John Hreno
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