Seeing an opportunity to experience the high society of Malibu, they rent a $7,000 per month beach house from realtor Billie Farnsworth (Kim Novak), who introduces the couple to the rich elite in the neighborhood.

Among them are their neighbor movie star Clint Redman (Troy Donahue), famous tennis player Art Bonnell (Chad Everett), book writer Hunnicutt Powell (Richard McKenzie), and talk show host Gail Hessian (Ann Jillian).

Gail is determined to invite Tom Wharton (James Coburn) on her talk show, the town's wealthiest and most powerful lawyer notorious for his dirty dealings, in order to expose him as a crook.

Meanwhile, an aging yet aspiring screenwriter Charlie Wigham (Richard Mulligan) tries to sell his screenplay centered around a middle-aged man to the powerful film director Wilson Mahoney (Anthony Newley), but despite many attempts is not able to impress him.

Billie sees through his scams, but Jay pays her silence with a large money offer, assuring her that he will win big by betting on a tennis match between Art and Tom.

When Linda leaves on a so-called holiday in San Francisco, Stan seizes the opportunity to develop an affair with Dee, who tips him off about Jay's wrongdoings.

He tells her that he is finalizing a business deal with Tom that will earn him enough money to divorce his wife Laura (Bridget Hanley) and start a new life with her.

Billie visits Jay's house to collect the money he won, but finds out that he has secretly left town and that she is the latest of his con victims.

In the end, Linda, feeling disappointed by all people in Malibu, decides to leave town, and she convinces Stan to join her, thereby reconciling their marriage.