25 Beautiful West Coast Campuses You Have to See to Believe

5. Pepperdine University – Malibu, CA

Few college campuses in the world can rival the sheer drama of Pepperdine University’s setting. Perched on a coastal cliff in Malibu, the campus offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean from nearly every building. The Mediterranean-inspired architecture—with terra cotta roofs, whitewashed walls, and arched colonnades—creates a harmony with the surrounding landscape, evoking both elegance and tranquility. Sunsets here are legendary, casting golden light across the mountains and sea in a daily spectacle that never fails to stun. Pepperdine’s campus life mirrors its serene environment, fostering a close-knit, reflective community deeply connected to both faith and learning. Students gather for Bible studies in sun-drenched courtyards and business seminars in ocean-view classrooms. Beyond the spiritual and academic pursuits, the school’s commitment to service, leadership, and global justice is felt in every part of its mission. Hiking trails wind through the hills behind the university, while Zuma Beach is just a few minutes away, making it easy to balance rigorous academics with restorative time in nature. It’s a place that feeds the soul as much as the mind.