After months of closure following January’s deadly Palisades Fire, a major section of the Pacific Coast Highway has officially reopened. The iconic stretch—running roughly 11 miles along the coast from Santa Monica to Malibu—welcomed back public traffic on May 23. But while the road is open again, the long path to full recovery is far from over.
The PCH is one of Southern California’s most scenic and heavily traveled routes, especially during the summer, averaging more than 40,000 vehicles daily. Since the fire, access has been limited strictly to residents and emergency crews. The blaze left behind staggering damage: 12 lives lost, nearly 7,000 structures destroyed, and over $1.5 billion in property losses.
“In California, we get stuff done, period,” Gov. Gavin Newsom stated on May 22.
The reopening brought a long-awaited lifeline to the Malibu community, which has been reeling since January. Once a bustling destination for beachgoers, tourists, and celebrities alike, the area became eerily quiet. The fire wiped out over 550 homes, and a recent survey revealed that 42% of local businesses saw their profits plunge by more than 75% as foot traffic evaporated.
Despite the highway now being accessible again, the area is still grappling with the aftermath. Cleanup efforts and rebuilding are expected to continue for years. Travelers can expect ongoing delays and reduced speed as crews continue working around the clock to remove debris and restore infrastructure.
Security measures are also evolving. While National Guard checkpoints have now been phased out, the city of Malibu has brought in a private security company to provide regular armed patrols aimed at safeguarding properties, according to city spokesperson Matt Myerhoff.
Meanwhile, access to the fire-damaged Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles remains tightly controlled. According to Mayor Karen Bass’s office, 16 police checkpoints continue to operate 24/7, with entry limited to residents, business owners, and authorized personnel.
“The reopening of Pacific Coast Highway marks an important step forward in our recovery effort in the Palisades, which is on track to be the fastest in state history,” said Mayor Bass. “All of us have a shared goal — to ensure residents can safely and quickly rebuild and return to their community.”
While traffic has resumed and businesses are hopeful for a summer rebound, the reality is that the full healing process will be a marathon, not a sprint. The road may be back, but the journey toward recovery is just beginning.
Source: Transport Topics
Image Source: Michael Nigro/ Bloomberg News
