Pepperdine University - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

Differences in opinions regarding Malibu probably tells more about the priorities and prior experiences of students than they do about the town itself. To some, Malibu is an irritating 20-minute drive from anything interesting to see or do. To others, it’s a mere 20-minute drive from fabulous Santa Monica or a thrilling half-hour jaunt away from LA. Some scoff at the trappings of wealth and celebrity that Malibu so quaintly celebrates, while others head down the hill to Starbucks to sit and watch for movie stars. Everyone can agree, though, that Malibu is a truly unique place to go to college—surreal, really—and a genuine experience.

The ’Bu is a sleepy little enclave for the fabulously wealthy into which Pepperdine University has rather awkwardly asserted itself. It’s no place for a college student, especially one on a budget, to have a particularly wild time after dusk. On the upside, it is an undeniably beautiful environment for study, reflection, or any sport involving wetsuit-clad human beings trying to tame a vast, violent body of saltwater.
 

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

The atmosphere is pretty nice, and... The atmosphere is pretty nice, and it is always fun to rub shoulders with celebrities. When you go to dinner in Malibu, there’s a good chance you’ll see someone famous. I’ve seen a ton of celebs at Ralphs grocery store. However, Malibu is not what I’d call a college town. UCLA, USC, and Loyola are all within 30 minutes, so there’s a lot of college kids pretty close. There’s a ton of stuff to visit. Half of the rooms on campus have an ocean view. Mine did. LA has an endless list of things to do. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

boone says: Pepperdine University 2009 Other

Malibu is a cool little town that... Malibu is a cool little town that hasn't changed too much over the years. Great surfing, hiking, running trails, and beaches. There's a country mart near school that has a lot of boutiques where you might run into some celebrities. It is not a college town, but still a great place to go to college. Come on, you get to live in Malibu for four years. 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 16, 2009 Report

coffeecoffeecoffee says: Pepperdine University 2016 Social Sciences

Malibu gets boring after a while,... Malibu gets boring after a while, but there's so much to do around LA and Hollywood (it doesn't take long to drive there) that it's totally okay. 12345 Local Atmosphere: February 28, 2009 Report

pepperdine says: Pepperdine University 2016 Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences

It's so beautiful, with lots of... It's so beautiful, with lots of cool nearby places. It is kind of isolated though, so having a car is essential. 12345 Local Atmosphere: December 03, 2008 Report

Anonymous says:

Malibu is relaxing, but you need... Malibu is relaxing, but you need to drive to do things. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Malibu:
• The Chumash Indian word malibu means “noisy waters” (better than that other sleepy California town, Lompoc, whose name means “stagnant waters”).
• It hosts the annual Malibu International Film Festival, as well as the annual Malibu Chili Cook-Off. Pepperdine’s frats and sororities often join in the latter competition.
• A mysterious surfer organization known as “Malibu Locals Only,” or MLO, protects its home turf by picking fights with non-Malibu surfing citizens and by spray-painting its three ominous initials onto cement surfaces.
• Baywatch was filmed on Malibu’s voluptuous golden beaches.
• On several nights between March and August, at high tide, the Southern California coastline becomes besieged by “grunion runs,” the bizarre spawning ritual of thousands of little translucent fishes called grunion. These grunion runs—the timing of which is based on the moon cycle and can be predicted long in advance—make for very interesting marine biology field trips.

Famous Malibu Residents:
You name it! Everyone who is anyone in the entertainment industry has at least one home in Malibu. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself jogging around Pepperdine’s track with Pamela Anderson or if you see Dick Van Dyke dancing with his grocery cart at a Ralph’s grocery store.

Local Slang:
The ’Bu – Abbreviated form of Malibu.
Chill – Used as an adjective or a verb, as in “I was chillin’ with this really chill girl.”
Plus the hippest and latest surfer culture expressions—nothing you haven’t heard on MTV

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Jackie Fetzer
Hometown: Huntersville, NC
Major: English Writing and Rhetoric

Jackie tried out for Pepperdine's water polo team without knowing how to swim first?and made it!

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