At the Malibu Beach Inn, a modern hideaway tucked between the Pacific Coast Highway and the Pacific Ocean, you’ll hear the sounds of waves crashing just a few feet away and see the iconic Malibu Pier in the distance, surrounded by a deep blue sea. This gorgeous scenery may be the star of the hotel, but the food at Carbon Beach Club, its breezy, oceanfront restaurant headed up by chef Ryan Caldwell, also takes center stage. Nearly every item on the seasonal menu, which typically includes a colorful grain bowl made with black quinoa, purple Okinawan potatoes, and leafy greens; or a grass-fed burger topped with Tillamook cheddar, avocado spread, and red onion, comes from local farmers’ markets and from One Gun Ranch, a distinctive farm set on a high plateau in the Malibu hills.
It’s no surprise that chefs from around the world want to stop by and have a look at this fully sustainable wonderland.
There’s quite a story behind One Gun Ranch. This 25-acre estate gets its name from previous owner Matt Sorum, best known as the drummer of the band Guns N’ Roses. In 2009, it was acquired by Ann Eysenring, an entrepreneur who grew up in rural California, and Alice Bamford, whose family owns Daylesford, an organic foodie empire in the British Cotswolds. In other words, the land was passed from rock n’ roll royalty to farming royalty. Eysenring and Bamford set out to create a biodynamic utopia, planting varied fruits, vegetables, and herbs—everything from tomatoes and sweet peppers to ginger and fava beans—according to the lunar cycle and growing them in pure composted soil (a labor-intensive process that involves nine months of aging a mixture of alfalfa, yarrow, chamomile, and manure). The operation is free of pesticides and waste; every natural byproduct is recycled back into the garden or used to feed the animals that live on the grounds. Speaking of which, One Gun Ranch is also an unofficial animal sanctuary, home to a crew of rescued dogs, horses, goats, sheep, and alpacas with names like Clementine, Hamlet, and Roosevelt.
It’s no surprise that chefs from around the world want to stop by and have a look at this fully sustainable wonderland. While visits are limited, the recently released "One Gun Ranch Malibu: Biodynamic Recipes for Vibrant Living" (printed on recycled paper, of course) is almost as good as being up in the Santa Monica mountains. The book shares Bamford and Eysenring’s favorite recipes and lifestyle tips, including guides for making your own compost, planting a garden, and shopping for produce. Guests of Malibu Beach Inn can browse a copy in their oceanfront rooms or purchase one in the hotel’s boutique, taking home a beautifully photographed reminder that wellness and nature go hand in hand.
To learn more about Malibu Beach Inn, or One Gun Ranch, please contact the concierge upon making a reservation.
