Latest Event Updates

PCH Reopened and Malibu Canyon to Close Friday Evening Through Monday Morning 

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Pacific Coast Highway Reopened
Pacific Coast Highway is now open, though traffic delays remain possible. Pepperdine classes and operations are continuing on the Malibu campus. Earlier today, some event organizers may have made changes to or canceled events when the news of the road closure was first announced.  Please reach out to event organizers with specific event questions.

Malibu Canyon to Close Tonight at 7PM
As a precautionary measure in advance of the forecasted rain this weekend, Los Angeles County officials will close Malibu Canyon Road beginning today at 7 PM. Slopes are currently stable, and the County is planning to evaluate conditions of the slopes during this time, after the heaviest rain concludes. The County intends to reopen Malibu Canyon Road by 6 AM on Monday, April 1, 2024, unless conditions warrant continued closure. 

University officials will monitor the status of Malibu Canyon Road throughout the weekend and will update Pepperdine’s ROAD conditions hotline accordingly. Topanga Canyon is expected to remain closed. Please anticipate additional messaging from the University by Monday morning. Based on current information, we anticipate the Malibu campus will be open for normal campus operations, including in-person classes.

As a reminder, the following additional routes are currently anticipated to be open for travel to the Malibu campus throughout the weekend and next week:

  • Kanan Dume Road south to Pacific Coast Highway
  • 10 freeway west to Pacific Coast Highway north

Students and employees are encouraged to drive slowly and carefully, leave plenty of extra time for travel, and remain informed about conditions for Pepperdine’s Southern California campuses by utilizing the following resources: 

Greater Los Angeles road conditions can be viewed online at www.sigalert.com.

This entry was posted in Calabasas, Malibu.

Pacific Coast Highway Closed in Both Directions Due to Fatality Investigation 

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A fatal vehicle versus pedestrian traffic collision on Pacific Coast Highway near Cross Creek Road has caused investigators to close Pacific Coast Highway in both directions near the scene of the accident (south of the Malibu campus). The incident does not appear to involve any members of the Pepperdine community. There is currently no timeline for when Pacific Coast Highway may reopen. Community members should take an alternate route to campus if coming from the south on Pacific Coast Highway. Topanga Canyon Road also remains closed. 

While classes and normal operations on Pepperdine’s Malibu campus will continue today, professors and supervisors are asked to be appropriately lenient with those who may be delayed in arriving to campus, including those who may miss the earliest morning classes and work assignments due to this closure.

Employees and students are encouraged to remain informed about conditions for Pepperdine’s Southern California campuses by utilizing the following resources: 

Greater Los Angeles road conditions can be viewed online at www.sigalert.com.

This entry was posted in Malibu.

Mountain Lion Sighting On The Malibu Campus

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Public Safety officers spotted a mountain lion early this morning at approximately 1:25 AM crossing Seaver Drive near the George Page Apartments. The mountain lion then headed up the hillside through the brush toward Baxter Drive. The sighting was reported to the local sheriff’s department and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The animal is not believed to represent a threat to the campus community, though community members are encouraged to follow the best practices noted below. 

Pepperdine officials share confirmed mountain lion sightings near the Malibu campus to ensure the University community is informed of, but not alarmed by, the wildlife with whom we share the Santa Monica Mountains.  

Please remember:

  • Do not hike, bike, or jog alone, especially from dusk until dawn when mountain lions are most active.
  • Do not feed the local deer population, which are known prey for mountain lions.
  • Public Safety security escorts are available on the Malibu campus 24/7 by calling Public Safety Dispatch at (310) 506-4442.
  • If you see a mountain lion on or near the Malibu campus, please report the incident to Public Safety at (310) 506-4441.
    • If safe to do so, please take a picture and/or video and send it to Public Safety via the LiveSafe app.

As a reminder, if you encounter a mountain lion:

  • Respect the animal.
  • Maintain eye contact and move away slowly.
  • Do NOT run. Running will trigger the mountain lion’s instinct to chase you.
  • Appear as large, loud, and powerful as possible.
  • If there are small children or pets present, pick them up immediately. Additionally do NOT leave them unattended outside.
  • Do not approach the mountain lion; leave space for the cat to escape.
  • In the unlikely event of an attack, fight back. Do not fall to the ground or roll into the fetal position.

This entry was posted in Malibu.

Pacific Coast Highway Reopens One Alternating Lane

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Officials have reopened a single lane on Pacific Coast Highway between Big Rock and Las Flores Canyon Road. The opening allows alternating traffic – northbound and southbound – to move through the impacted area, though significant delays are expected. The California Highway Patrol expects this area of Pacific Coast Highway to remain impacted with only a single lane passable for the remainder of the week as workers clear the mudslide. 

Normal operations, including in-person classes, continue at the Malibu campus today and are expected to remain so throughout the week, despite this impact to Pacific Coast Highway.

The following represents the latest road conditions on the other routes to the Malibu campus:

  • Malibu Canyon Road and Kanan Dume Road are open. This allows Pepperdine community members to use the 101 freeway and then south on either Malibu Canyon Road or Kanan Dume Road to access the Malibu campus.
  • Pacific Coast Highway north of the Malibu campus between Latigo Canyon and Corral Canyon has two southbound lanes and one northbound lane open. This allows Pepperdine community members to access the Malibu Campus by taking Kanan Dume Road south from the 101 Highway to Pacific Coast Highway.
  • Topanga Canyon Road remains closed between Grand View Drive and Pacific Coast Highway due to a rockslide.

Agencies may update conditions and closures rapidly. Please check the resources below and be prepared for changing conditions and closures with short notice.

Please plan for a potentially longer commute, since your typical route to the Malibu campus may not be available or traffic may be heavier than normal, and confirm road conditions before departing. Employees and students are encouraged to drive slowly and carefully, leave plenty of extra time for travel, and remain informed about conditions for Pepperdine’s Southern California campuses by utilizing the following resources: 

Greater Los Angeles road conditions can be viewed online at www.sigalert.com.

This entry was posted in Malibu.