5 Spontaneous Trip Destinations:
One of the best parts of college life is the spontaneous trips. Whether it’s going on a small adventure or for a midnight snack, these trips are great for getting to know people and having fun without a huge time or monetary commitment. Here are 5 destinations around Pepperdine that are great for a quick trip on a school night or small outing on a weekend.
Westward beach:
Looking to go on a late-night beach trip? If so, Westward beach is an ideal choice. Right next to Zuma and underneath Point Dume, Westward usually draws a smaller crowd than Zuma and has free parking right next to the beach. Though it can be crowded during the afternoon, it is an ideal spot for a quick trip to the beach, especially at night. To get there from Pepperdine, go up PCH and take the left turn before the right turn into the Zuma Beach parking lot. It is also just a short drive to Malibu Country Mart if you want some Lily’s burritos or Sunlife to take on your beach excursion. If Westward Beach happens to be closed, you can also go to the beach behind the Ralphs in Malibu. If you go the road behind Ralph's parking lot, just go straight until you get to the beach. It’s a smaller beach, but it’s also a relaxing and generally less crowded spot.
BJs restaurant:
If you need to satisfy your sweet tooth or want a late-night snack, you can try a pizookie - ice cream on a large gooey cookie - at BJs in Westlake. BJs is a great spot for dinner on school nights, specifically Tuesday when pizookies are only three dollars. Many Pepperdine students go out to BJs on Tuesday to get pizookies, so This is a great location if you want to sit down for dinner without having to commit multiple hours driving to and eating at a restaurant.
https://www.menuwithprice.com/menu/bjs-restaurant-and-brewhouse/california/westlake-village/209863/
Hills behind Drescher:
If you are in a more adventurous mood, take a hike in the hills behind the faculty housing in Drescher. Up there, you will find great views of campus, the Pacific, and various structures begging to be explored. The hike is not very strenuous, but the paths are rough and not maintained, so make sure you keep track of where you are. To access this area, you can park at the Drescher graduate campus and go past the faculty housing to the hills on the right of the condos facing the ocean. Here, you can experience the beauty of the Santa Monica mountains away from the traffic and crowds.
Salt n’ Straw:
If you want to venture into LA for a trip, try Salt n’ Straw in Venice. Though it is a longer drive than the other previous locations, it is well worth it as Salt n’ Straw has some of the most unique and tasty ice cream flavors in LA like Bourbon Caramelized Honeycomb and Coconut Rice Pudding. Driving there will give you a chance to get into the city, and it is a great dessert location after getting dinner in Santa Monica.
https://saltandstraw.com/pages/abbot-kinney
Malibu Creek State Park:
If you want to hike in a more maintained area than behind Drescher, you can head to Malibu Creek State Park just through Malibu Canyon about ten minutes from campus. You can spend a relaxing afternoon walking on one of the many paths in the park, or you can spend a night in one of the camping spots. Also, one of the paths leads to a little oasis with multiple pools and overhanging rocks, which you can jump off into the water. Overall, this is a great destination for hiking, biking, and nature-enjoying.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=614
By: Joel