From Westwood to Waves: A Guide to Reaching Los Angeles Beaches from UCLA
Los Angeles, a sprawling metropolis, offers a unique blend of urban life and natural beauty. For students and faculty at UCLA, the allure of the Pacific Ocean is a constant draw. While navigating LA without a car might seem daunting, accessing the iconic beaches from UCLA is surprisingly convenient and budget-friendly. This article explores the best options for getting from UCLA to some of the most popular beaches in the area, ensuring you can soak up the sun and surf without breaking the bank or relying solely on a personal vehicle.
Embracing Beach Life: Why Visit from UCLA?
Los Angeles is a crossroads of culture, activity, innovation, and adventure. It is a global center for the arts, technology, and international trade, with diverse neighborhoods inhabited by people from over 140 countries. Angelenos enjoy a wide range of activities, from visiting museums like the Getty to exploring natural wonders like the La Brea Tar Pits.
For UCLA students, escaping to the beach offers a welcome respite from academic life. Just a short distance from campus, you can trade textbooks for surfboards and enjoy the quintessential Southern California lifestyle. Whether you're looking to surf, boogie board, play volleyball, or simply build a sandcastle, the beaches near UCLA provide the perfect setting.
The Closest Coastal Escapes: Santa Monica and Venice Beach
For those seeking the closest and most accessible beach experiences, Santa Monica and Venice Beach stand out as prime choices.
Santa Monica Beach: A Classic Destination
Santa Monica Beach, located along Pacific Coast Highway, is a lively destination renowned for its iconic pier, amusement park, and picturesque bike paths. The area is bustling with shops, restaurants, and hotels, making it an ideal spot for both day trips and longer stays. Public restrooms and beach-accessible wheelchairs enhance the accessibility of this popular beach.
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The main attraction in Santa Monica is by far the pier, featuring an amusement park, aquarium, and multiple restaurants. Santa Monica is known for its colorful attractions and entertainment venues, stunning bike paths and soft, white sand. Popular shops, restaurants and hotels are just a stone’s throw away, making it a popular destination for short vacations. Pets and kids are welcome at Santa Monica, public restrooms are available and beach-accessible wheelchairs are available in four locations in the City of Santa Monica, which we recommend to sort out before you arrive.
How to Get There from UCLA:
FlixBus offers convenient service to Santa Monica via the UCLA stop. From UCLA, you can take the Big Blue Bus Route 1, 2, 3, 8, or Rapid 12, which will drop you close to the beach. The journey typically takes about 45 minutes. Santa Monica is accessible by FlixBus via the UCLA stop, with buses leaving from multiple destinations in California, including Millbrae and San Francisco.
The best time to visit Santa Monica Beach is during the late afternoon or early evening when the sun is setting, as temperatures are not too hot, crowds less dense, and the sunset panoramic.
Venice Beach: A Bohemian Hotspot
Adjacent to Santa Monica, Venice Beach is famous for its vibrant boardwalk, skate park, and Muscle Beach outdoor gym. This eclectic beach is a blend of sunbathing, shopping, and diverse beach activities, making it a unique cultural hotspot. Venice Beach is one of California's most famed. Located between LA International Airport and Santa Monica, Venice Beach is home to a uniquely bohemian spirit, funky shops, colorful murals and diverse people. Venice Beach Boardwalk and Pier is a must-see; one of the most famous piers in the world, known for its street performers, restaurants, shops and of course, Muscle Beach Gym.
How to Get There from UCLA:
Arrive at the UCLA FlixBus stop and take the Big Blue Bus Route 1, 2, or Rapid 12 towards Venice Beach. These buses provide direct or nearby access to the beach area.
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Expanding Your Horizons: Further Beach Destinations
Beyond Santa Monica and Venice, other beaches offer unique experiences and are still accessible from UCLA.
Long Beach: A City Beach with Plenty to Offer
Easily one of LA’s most iconic beaches, Long Beach (City Beach) can be reached from multiple destinations in California and Henderson, NV. In addition to being a world-class beach lined with excellent shopping, eating and entertainment facilities, the surrounding Long Beach area is also a hub of arts and culture. Make a stop at the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific to check out the adorable native sea lions, or get some culture at the Long Beach Museum of Art. Of course, you can’t say you’ve been to Long Beach without taking in the Long Beach Boardwalk, awash with whizzing roller skates, colorful swimsuits, funky people and a vibrant atmosphere. Services at Long Beach are plentiful. Whether it’s relaxing, family entertainment, partying or business you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it. Toilets are plentiful (though you might be expected to make a purchase in a store or restaurant), police officers are often patrolling the area, and public transport is cheap, regular, and usually clean. From the Long Beach Bus Terminal, you can take an easy 30-minute walk south towards the iconic St. Mary ocean liner, or opt for a local bus, which will take roughly 11 minutes.
Long Beach enjoys pleasant weather and sunshine year-round.
How to Get There:
FlixBus takes you directly to Long Beach!
Junipero Beach: A Relaxing Alternative
Along Ocean Blvd. from Cherry Ave. Yogis will be in the seventh heaven; yoga takes place almost daily on the grass beside the beach for a small donation. Excellent restaurants and shopping facilities are nearby, as well as public restrooms and a police station. Crime is low here, and many people prefer Junipero Beach, because it's less crowded than other LA beaches.
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How to Get There:
The closest FlixBus stop is Long Beach. From there, you can walk eastwards down East Broadway for approx. 30 min., then travel south on Junipero Avenue or one of the other adjacent streets.
Bay Shore Beach: Family-Friendly Fun
Bay Shore Beach is also in the Long Beach area, near Belmont Shore, Naples, and the Peninsula residential areas. It is located to the east of Long Beach City Beach and Junipero Beach. Pets and children are welcome at Bay Shore Beach, which also boasts a range of services making it ideal for families.
How to Get There:
FlixBus users can access Bay Shore Beach from all over California and Henderson, NV via the Long Beach stop, around ten blocks from the coast.
Seal Beach: A Surfer's Paradise
Seal Beach, like Long Beach, is both a beach and a town, though admittedly much smaller than the latter. The northernmost beach of California’s Orange County, Seal Beach, though not technically in LA, is no less popular with surfers and sun-worshipers during summer. The beach sits between the mouth of the San Gabriel River and Anaheim Bay. It is within walking distance of multiple parks, grassy areas.
Sunset Beach: An Idyllic Escape
It would be hard to imagine a more idyllic sounding place than Sunset Beach. Even so, you wouldn’t be overestimating the allure of this Pacific-facing paradise. Developed as a result of the 1920 discovery of oil in the Huntington Beach Oil Field, Sunset Beach today is a favorite amongst Orange County’s paddle boarders, kayakers and families, thanks to the beach’s parks and playgrounds.
How to Get There:
To get to Sunset Beach, take a FlixBus to the Long Beach stop, walk (six minutes) to the Anaheim at Long Beach bus station to catch the 45, 175 or 51/2 to Seventh & Channel SE, before switching to the bus 1 (San Clemente - Camino Real and Santa Margarita) from 7th & Channel to Pacific Coast-19th.
Huntington Beach: Surf City USA
There’s a lot to do and see at Huntington (City) Beach. Famed for its long pier hosting a range of entertainment facilities, arcades and restaurants, Huntington Beach and the surrounding town is home to the International Surfing Museum, which displays longboards and other cool surfing memorabilia, as well as a huge central park where young and old gather to skate, chat, shop and relax. The weather around Huntington Beach stays nice all year, however late spring is when temperatures are still warm but accommodations are much cheaper. Dogs are allowed on the parking lot and trail, but must be on a leash and are not permitted on the beach (apart from service dogs).
How to Get There:
To get to Huntington Beach, take a Flixbus to the Long Beach stop. Then take the 45, 46 or 175 from the Anaheim at Long Beach stop to Seventh & Channel SE, before switching on to the bus 1 (San Clemente - Camino Real and Santa Margarita) for 21 stops until Warner-Pacific.
Topanga Beach: A Surfer's Haven
Ah, Topanga Beach. Winding trees, blue skies, soft sand, Topanga Beach is known as one of the first beaches in the Malibu region of Southern California. Topango is also known as a surfer's paradise, thanks to the long curve of the beach. When you've had enough of surfing, sunbathing or swimming (if that ever happens), then you're only a short walk from the enormous Topanga State Park, near the Santa Monica Mountains. Spring is a beautiful time to visit Topanga Beach, however, like most of Southern California, the weather is gorgeous all year round.
How to Get There:
The closest FlixBus stop to Topanga Beach is the UCLA stop. The bus will depart and board from the bus stop on the northeast corner of Gayley Ave. and Strathmore Pl., just look out for the green FlixBus sign!
Will Rogers State Beach: Family Fun in Santa Monica Bay
Will Rogers State Beach is a playful, open beach park located in Santa Monica Bay. Named after the famous philosopher, actor and cowboy. What could be more Californian than that? It is less busy compared to other LA beaches and is the ideal place to take the family, thanks to the availability of volleyball courts and picnic tables for an al fresco lunch!
Navigating Los Angeles: Public Transportation and FlixBus
You might think that getting around in the City of Angels without a car is a no-go. Aside from the environmental factors, money you save on gas, parking (not to mention a car!), taking a FlixBus is also impressively convenient. Unless otherwise stated, all LA beaches are open 24/7. If you’re planning on visiting any of LA’s iconic beaches, look no further. You’ll be beachside within an hour with any one of our many FlixBus stops.
Beyond the Beach: Exploring Los Angeles
Nestled at UCLA’s southern entrance, Westwood is a bustling village full of coffeehouses, shops, movie theaters - some with rich histories - and over 100 restaurants. Favorites include Diddy Riese, home of ice cream cookie sandwiches. Walk to Target, drugstores and Trader Joe’s for necessities and snacks.
In Los Angeles, four million people power one of the world’s largest economies. L.A. residents enjoy buying fresh produce and other fare from local farmers’ market, which happen on different days of the week around town. One of L.A.’s most famous cultural landmarks, the Hollywood Sign has become a worldwide symbol for ambition, success and glamour. The nearby San Gabriel mountains are often dusted with snow in the winter, even when the city is experiencing warm, sunny days. The Watts Towers are the work of Simon Rodia, a construction worker by day, artist by night. One of many iconic old cinemas in L.A., the Bruin Theatre opened in Westwood on New Year’s Eve in 1937. Campus ShuttlesTake advantage of free BruinBus shuttles to get around campus and Westwood anytime you want. For many students at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, living in the big city is a perk.
Suburban Living: Balancing City and Community
Other students, especially those with children, might prefer a small-town feel, a close-knit community or simply a quieter place to study. A small, family-friendly town, Manhattan Beach offers clean beaches, beautiful parks and a full calendar of local events. Residents also enjoy riding their bikes along "The Strand," a scenic bicycle trail that runs along the Santa Monica beach path and through several suburban towns. Another beachfront suburb, Torrance lives up to its motto of being a "balanced city" - it is part industrial, part commercial and part residential. A safe area with highly ranked public schools, Torrance offers indoor and outdoor activities for the whole family. A great home for nature lovers, Calabasas is the gateway to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in northern Los Angeles County. Residents can enjoy hiking and swimming while taking in the beautiful mountain views in Malibu Creek State Park. UCLA Bruins fans will enjoy living in this suburb. Home to the Rose Bowl, it is where UCLA home football games are played. Pasadena's Old Town area spans 21 blocks of shopping, dining, museums and entertainment venues. While the city isn't on the beach, it is situated next to the Angeles National Forest and offers a beautiful mountain view. Rich in industrial and entertainment history, Burbank was the original home of Lockheed Martin, Warner Bros., and a variety of film and television studios. It has also become a popular home for young people and their families. Residents can enjoy the Stough Canyon Nature Center, Robert R.
The suburbs of Los Angeles might be more affordable and family-friendly than living in the city, but there is a trade-off. While these cities are all within driving distance of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the trip could take an hour during peak traffic.
UCLA vs. USC: A Rivalry Beyond the Classroom
The schools have been together in the same athletic conference since 1928, when UCLA joined USC in the Pacific Coast Conference, a predecessor of the Pac-12 Conference. USC had joined the PCC in 1922. When the PCC broke up after the 1958-1959 season, USC and UCLA were charter members of the newly formed Athletic Association of Western Universities. The AAWU, with expansion, would become the Pac-8, Pac-10, and then the Pac-12 Conference. Both schools also are successful in many "non-revenue" or "Olympic" sports. Both have had success in track and field, water polo, tennis, volleyball, and golf. As of 2023, USC has won 26 NCAA championships in men's outdoor track and field, 21 in men's tennis, and 12 in baseball, the most of any school in each respective sport. Likewise, UCLA has won 20 NCAA championships in men's volleyball and 12 in softball, also the most of any school in those sports. As of June 2024, UCLA ranked second overall and USC ranked third overall in NCAA team championships behind Stanford.
The Crosstown Cup, formerly the Lexus Gauntlet, the Crosstown Gauntlet, and the SoCal BMW Crosstown Cup, is the name given to a competition between UCLA and USC in the 19 NCAA-sanctioned varsity sports in which both compete. (Although slightly different scoring rules were in effect in the different versions of the competition.) In 2003, 2005, and 2007 UCLA won the Lexus Gauntlet Trophy, while USC won the trophy in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2009 (the first back-to-back win). After the 2009 season, Lexus stopped sponsoring the award. The competition was renamed the Crosstown Gauntlet, which USC won in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014, and UCLA won in 2013.[7][8][9][10][11] In 2015, due to new sponsorship, the competition became the SoCal BMW Crosstown Cup.[12] It was won by UCLA in 2015 and USC in 2016, when the sponsorship arrangement concluded. The competition has since been known simply as the Crosstown Cup.
Quite often, the winner of the football game has won or shared the Pac-12 Conference (Pac-12) title in football. A berth in the Rose Bowl game has been on the line many times as well for both schools. Since the 1916 formation of the Pacific Coast Conference, which the Pac-12 claims as part of its history, USC had won or shared 37 conference titles and UCLA had won or shared 17 titles.[14] Washington is second in overall conference titles with 18.[14] Since the 1959 season, when the Pac-12 was formed as the Athletic Association of Western Universities, through the 2007 season, the schools had won or shared 33 of the 48 conference titles.[14] USC won 17 championships outright, shared eight and gone to the Rose Bowl or BCS bowl 21 times.[14] UCLA won six championships outright, shared five and gone to the Rose Bowl eight times.[14] The schools have thrice shared the championship.[14] In 2011, UCLA became the first Pac-12 South Division champion - while USC held the better of the two records, the Trojans were ineligible for postseason play that year due to NCAA sanctions.
USC began a rise to national prominence under Howard Jones in 1925. The Trojans began a major rivalry with Notre Dame in 1926. By the late 1930s, star players such as Kenny Washington, Jackie Robinson, and Bob Waterfield enabled UCLA to be competitive. With the hiring of Hall of Fame coach Henry "Red" Sanders, UCLA became the more dominant program in the 1950s and won their first and only National Championship in 1954. Sanders died suddenly of a heart attack before the 1959 season. In 1960 John McKay, the winningest coach is USC football history, took over the struggling USC program. Upon the arrival of McKay, USC entered a new golden age in its storied history.[19] During McKay's tenure, the Trojans won 8 conference titles, 5 Rose Bowls, produced two Heisman Trophy winners (Mike Garrett and O. J. Simpson) and won three national championships (1962, 1967, and 1972) and shared one (1974). Against UCLA, McKay was tough to beat, posting a 10-5-1 record against the Bruins between 1960 and 1975. For most seasons from the mid-1960s to the end of the 1970s, the two schools were the top powers on the West Coast with USC usually holding the top spot. In the 15 Rose Bowls played from 1966 to 1980, USC or UCLA played in 12 of them. Even with the rise of Don James' Washington Huskies in the 1980s and early 90s, UCLA or USC still went to the Rose Bowl seven times between 1981 and 1995. The Bruins' unbeaten string ended in 1999 when the Trojans began their longest win streak, 7, against the Bruins, though two of those wins (2004 and 2005) are now vacated, cutting the USC streak to five. Pete Carroll was hired by USC in December 2000.[21] During Carroll's tenure (2001-2009 seasons), USC was virtually unbeatable against its two most heated rivals, UCLA and Notre Dame.
A number of titles have been applied to the football game such as: "The Los Angeles City Championship",[22][23] "The Crosstown Showdown",[24] "The Battle of L.A.[25] or Los Angeles[26]", or simply the "crosstown rivalry".[27][28] None have become the singular name for the game. At UCLA, the week before the game is known as "Beat 'SC Week" (officially dubbed "Blue and Gold Week"). Both schools host a number of activities on their respective campuses during the week to promote school spirit. Also, both schools take steps to prevent vandalism of two major landmarks on campus: USC wraps its Trojan Shrine (better known as "Tommy Trojan") in bubble wrap and duct tape, while UCLA covers its Bruin Bear statue with tarp stating "THE BRUIN BEAR IS HIBERNATING. BEAT 'SC.", and more recently a $5000 wooden puzzle box. Groups of UCLA students known as "Bruin Bear Security Force" also camp out in Bruin Plaza, ostensibly to protect the Bruin Bear in the event of a prank, while the USC Trojan Knights hold a week-long vigil guarding Tommy Trojan with the sign "Don't Bruin your life".
ROTC "Blood Bowl" - The football rivalry extends to the military training units at both schools. The Naval and Army Officers Training Corps midshipmen and cadets at both universities compete in the annual "Blood Bowl" flag football game against each other, usually held the Friday before the official game, as a parallel to the varsity match. The name stems from the often rough and passionate play by the midshipmen and cadets representing school pride. After a 25-12 victory on December 3, 2010, by the Army Battalion, UCLA continues to lead the series all time versus USC 15-11. Daily Bruin vs. Daily Trojan "Blood Bowl" - Staff of the Daily Bruin and Daily Trojan have competed in a flag football contest that is also called the "Blood Bowl". The Band Bowl - From the 1950s until 2000 the UCLA Marching Band and the USC Marching Band played in a flag football contest called the "Band Bowl". UCLA vs. USC Men's Ice Hockey - UCLA and USC have teams that compete in ACHA Division II club-level Ice hockey. UCLA vs. USC Men's Rugby - UCLA and USC compete every year on the day after the football game. We Run the City 5K - A 5 km rivalry run held the Sunday before the football game that benefits Special Olympics Southern California. Runners pledge their allegiance to their team upon registration. Registration is open to all fans, students, alumni, staff, and the community.
Starting with the 2008 season, the winners of a blood drive competition were announced during halftime, with the winners donating more blood to the American Red Cross. For a number of years, the schools shared the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as their home stadium until UCLA moved to the Rose Bowl for the 1982 season. Each school alternated as the "home" team for the game, with home fans on the north side of the Coliseum and visiting fans on the south (press box) side. Until the 1983 meeting where the visiting UCLA team wore their white jerseys, players on both teams wore their home football jerseys for the game. An NCAA rule change for the 1983 season required the visiting team specifically to wear white jerseys.[41]
Beginning in the 1984 season, when the game was played at the Rose Bowl for the second time, the visiting fans moved to the end-zone visitor sections of each respective stadium. Starting in 2006, the coaches at the time, USC coach Pete Carroll and UCLA coach Karl Dorrell, expressed an interest in restarting the tradition of both teams wearing primary colored home jerseys. At the time, the NCAA football rules Article 3. a. stated, "Players of opposing teams shall wear jerseys of contrasting colors, and the visiting team shall wear white jerseys."[42] USC coach Pete Carroll said he would be willing to lose two timeouts during the game so that the USC team could wear their cardinal jerseys for the UCLA-USC football game on December 6, 2008.[43] It was determined before the 2008 game that the visiting school would only lose one timeout for incorrect equipment.
The Trojan Knights watching over the Victory Bell during a USC home game.When the football teams from these schools compete against each other, the victor is awarded the Victory Bell. The Victory Bell was originally from an old Southern Pacific railroad locomotive. It was UCLA's symbol of victory until it was stolen by a USC organization called the Trojan Knights in 1941. The bell itself is brass, and the metal mounting around it is painted blue or cardinal by the school that won the football game and earned its possession. When UCLA possesses it, the UCLA Rally Committee is responsible for its protection and care. While it is in USC's possession, the Trojan Knights are responsible for hiding, protecting, and showcasing the bell (including ringing the bell during home football games).
Until the Rose Bowl Game became part of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and later the College Football Playoff (CFP), a berth in the Rose Bowl to face the Big Ten Conference champion was the ultimate goal that was awarded to the then-Pacific-10 conference champion. Through the 2016 season, USC has appeared in the Rose Bowl 34 times and UCLA has appeared 12 times. During the BCS era (1998-2013), the Rose Bowl was the destination for the first-place Big Ten and Pac-12 teams, should either fail to qualify for the BCS championship game. UCLA was the first Pac-10 team to appear in a BCS bowl, the 1999 Rose Bowl, their last conference championship year. USC has appeared in six BCS bowl games, winning the BCS championship in 2005. Before the Pac-10 expanded in 2011 and became the Pac-12, the Rose Bowl and conference championship were on the line for both teams 20 times and at least one team 37 times. Following expansion and the division of the conference into two football divisions, with UCLA and USC both in the South Division, the division title and a berth in the Pac-12 Championship Game have been on the line for at least one team twice.
As of the end of the 2025 college football season, USC leads 53-34-7[46][47] (record excludes two vacated USC wins due to NCAA penalty for violation of NCAA rules).[48][49][50][51] There has been one overtime game in the series in 1996. Many of the games of this rivalry have ultimately determined the Pac-10 Rose Bowl representative and often a chance for USC to play for the national championship.
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