Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) Parents & Families Guide
San Diego, CA · For families of students far from home
Point Loma Nazarene University sits on the ocean side of the Point Loma peninsula at 3900 Lomaland Drive in San Diego. Families fly into San Diego International Airport (SAN), the year runs on fall and spring semesters, and Family Weekend comes in October.
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PLNU Parents & Families: Far From Home
A private group for parents and families of PLNU students who live far from home. Ask questions, share tips, and get answers from families who've been there.
Coming up
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Family Weekend 2026Add to calendar: Family Weekend 2026Source: Family Weekend | PLNU | Fri, Oct 9 to Sun, Oct 11, 2026 |
| Fall Break 2026 (no classes)Add to calendar: Fall Break 2026 (no classes)Source: 2026-2027 Academic Calendar, Traditional Undergraduate Programs | PLNU Registrar | Thu, Oct 22 to Fri, Oct 23, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving Recess 2026 (no classes)Add to calendar: Thanksgiving Recess 2026 (no classes)Source: 2026-2027 Academic Calendar, Traditional Undergraduate Programs | PLNU Registrar | Wed, Nov 25 to Fri, Nov 27, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 classes endAdd to calendar: Fall 2026 classes endSource: Undergraduate Important Dates and Deadlines | PLNU | Fri, Dec 11, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 final examsAdd to calendar: Fall 2026 final examsSource: Undergraduate Important Dates and Deadlines | PLNU | Mon, Dec 14 to Fri, Dec 18, 2026 |
Quick answers
Key dates
- Family Weekend: Oct 9 to 11, 2026
- Thanksgiving break: Nov 25 to 27, 2026
- Commencement: Dec 19, 2026
Getting there
- Nearest airport: SAN
- Where families stay: San Diego Bay, Harbor Island and Mission Bay
Move in & move out
- Move in: Aug 25, 2026
- Move out: May 9, 2027
Health & safety
- PLNU Wellness Center (Medical): (619) 849-2574
- PLNU Department of Public Safety: (619) 849-2525
- Urgent care: Sharp Rees-Stealy Downtown Urgent Care
A small campus on the water
PLNU's main campus is on Lomaland Drive, right along the Pacific. It is a residential campus, and where your student lives depends on class year. First year students are placed in Hendricks Hall, Klassen Hall, or floors 1 to 5 of Nease Hall. Sophomores and juniors live in Young, Wiley, and Finch halls, sophomore women can also live on the upper floors of Nease, and Goodwin Hall and the Flex and Colony apartments house juniors, with limited space for seniors.
One rule catches many out of state families off guard. Residential freshmen are not allowed to keep a car on campus, and Public Safety lists a $500 fine for a violation. First year students get around on the free PLNU shuttle that leaves from Smee Hall, MTS buses, Zipcar, and rideshare.
Flying in
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the airport to plan around, and a rideshare or rental car gets you to Lomaland Drive. If you would rather use transit, the airport's free San Diego Flyer runs to Old Town Transit Center, where MTS Route 84 heads out toward Cabrillo Monument with PLNU listed as a stop on weekdays. The Travel page has the details and the Bartell Hotels partner rate for PLNU families.
How the year runs
PLNU uses semesters. Fall 2026 classes start Monday, Aug 31, Thanksgiving recess is Nov 25 to 27, and fall finals run Dec 14 to 18. Spring 2027 classes start Jan 11, spring break is March 8 to 12, and spring finals end May 7, with commencement weekend May 7 to 8. New students come earlier for Welcome Week, which opens with move in on Tuesday, Aug 25.
Family Weekend is in October. In 2026 it is Friday, Oct 9 and Saturday, Oct 10, with an optional church service on Sunday morning. Homecoming is a separate, alumni focused weekend in February.
Your office on campus
Parent & Family Connection is the PLNU office for families. Reach it at (619) 849-2512 or parents@pointloma.edu. Its pages cover Family Weekend, payment instructions for parents, and links to health and financial services.
What this hub covers
The Dates page lists the 2026 to 27 moments worth planning travel around, including breaks and residence hall closings. Travel covers SAN, buses, visitor parking, and where families stay. Move in and move out walks through check in at Nicholson Commons, what rooms include, and summer storage. Local life covers the Wellness Center, Public Safety, pharmacies, groceries, and how to address a package. Every fact links to the page it came from, and if a PLNU page says something different, go with PLNU.
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Questions PLNU parents ask
Is this the official Point Loma Nazarene University parent group?
No. Far From Home is an independent parent community supported by College Cubbies. For official information, visit the Point Loma Nazarene University parent and family page.
When is PLNU Family Weekend 2026?
Friday, Oct 9 and Saturday, Oct 10, 2026, with an optional church service Sunday, Oct 11. Online registration closes Sunday, Oct 4, and an adult pass is $25. Family Weekend
When is move in at PLNU for fall 2026?
New students move in Tuesday, Aug 25, the first day of Welcome Week, at an assigned check in time. Returning students move in Friday, Aug 28, and classes begin Monday, Aug 31.
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