Discovering Westwood: Your Guide to the Best Things To Do Near UCLA
Westwood, a vibrant neighborhood nestled on the west side of Los Angeles, offers a diverse range of activities and attractions for students, visitors, and locals alike. Bordered by Brentwood and Beverly Hills, Westwood is a hub of culture, entertainment, and natural beauty. Whether you're a UCLA student seeking a break from studies or a tourist exploring the City of Angels, this guide will help you uncover the best things to do in Westwood.
Arts and Culture
Westwood boasts a thriving arts scene, with world-class museums, theaters, and galleries that cater to a variety of tastes.
Hammer Museum
The Hammer Museum, affiliated with UCLA, is a cultural powerhouse renowned for its thought-provoking exhibitions and free public programs. Showcasing a wide range of artistic voices and perspectives, from contemporary art to historical collections, the Hammer Museum offers something for every art lover. In addition to its impressive gallery spaces, the museum hosts lectures, screenings, and performances that foster meaningful dialogue and community engagement. Don't forget to grab lunch or a drink at Lulu, a beautiful restaurant located within the Hammer, operated by acclaimed chef David Tanis and conceived with legendary chef Alice Waters. Amazingly the museum is free and strolling the gorgeous galleries is a fantastic way to way to spend an afternoon.
Fowler Museum
Located at the heart of UCLA’s campus, the Fowler Museum is an internationally recognized museum that primarily features works of art from Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The Fowler is the perfect spot for those who love the global arts or for those who are interested in the intersection of art and culture. Featuring several exhibits at any given time, there is also a lecture hall plus spaces for art workshops and musical performances. Admission to the museum is free of charge.
Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden
Nestled within the lush landscape of UCLA's campus, the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden is a tranquil oasis that seamlessly blends art with nature. Stroll along winding pathways and encounter a captivating array of sculptures by artists like Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Auguste Rodin. Whether you're seeking inspiration or simply enjoying a leisurely walk, the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden provides a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. To explore the Franklin D. Murphy Gardens in greater depth, download the Bloomberg Connects app! This app features a self-guided audio tour of nine key works in the garden, researched and recorded by student educators at the Hammer Museum. Find the tour under the 'Collections' tab!
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Royce Hall
No trip to the UCLA campus would be complete without a visit to Royce Hall. This iconic venue has earned a reputation for both its cultural significance and architectural grandeur. With a diverse array of performances including music, dance, theater, and lectures, Royce Hall is the beating heart of UCLA's performing arts community.
The Nimoy
Venture a short distance from the UCLA campus and discover The Nimoy, a newly renovated state-of-the-art performance space named after beloved actor and philanthropist Leonard Nimoy. Formerly known as the historic Crest Theatre, The Nimoy reopened its doors and has since served as UCLA’s hub for developing and presenting new and contemporary works.
Geffen Playhouse
The Geffen Playhouse is dedicated to cultivating an appreciation for the arts and giving back to the community, and has cultivated programs with high school students and community education campaigns. With two stages, there are three to five plays offered each season.
Historic Theaters
Westwood is renowned for its historic movie theaters, offering a glimpse into the golden age of cinema.
Regency Westwood Village (Fox Theater)
Perhaps the most iconic image of Westwood since its construction, the Fox Theater reminds onlookers of a different era of cinema culture in Los Angeles. The crisp white tower can be seen from miles away, a glistening art deco ‘Fox’ sign displayed atop. The Fox Theater has hosted countless movie premieres throughout the years and continues to do so. On any given weekend, the intersection at Broxton and Weyburn will be covered by a red carpet and flooded with glamorous Hollywood elites. When Fox Theater isn’t being used for a premiere, there are several showtimes a day for you to experience all that this theater has to offer. The Regency seating 1400.
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The Bruin Theatre
The Bruin, built in 1937, is another classic Los Angeles theater that continues to play features and host premieres to this day. It is a massive one screen theaters with the Bruin seating 670. If you don’t have time to see a movie I would still make sure to walk by and take in these behemoths of cinema history as well as seeing both theaters incredible architecture. Tickets are purchased at the venue but you can find showtimes for the Bruin here and for the Regency Westwood Village here
Parks and Nature
Escape the urban landscape and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Westwood's parks and gardens.
UCLA Botanical Garden
Another incredible Westwood experience is taking a walk through the UCLA botanical garden. The garden is a small (7.5 acre) and shady retreat to a more natural setting while still being in the heart of a city. The garden is free and a fantastic place to relax during your visit to Westwood. I’d recommend bringing an ice cream and enjoying some time out of the sun. This is one of the best things you can do near UCLA.
Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens
Located in the southeast corner of UCLA’s campus, the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens are, quite literally, an oasis in Westwood. It is built around a creek bed and has been supplemented with thousands of plant species. If you are interested in getting away from the bustling city or have an affinity for biodiversity, you will enjoy the variety of exotic plants throughout the gardens. Docent led tours are available, as well as garden maps to facilitate individual walking tours.
UCLA Attractions
As the home of UCLA, Westwood offers a variety of attractions related to the university.
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UCLA Planetarium
If you’re not satisfied with the spattering of stars that you can see on any given night in LA, look no further than the Planetarium at UCLA. Located in the university’s South Campus region, the Planetarium offers free lectures on Wednesday evenings, as well as planetarium shows and telescope viewing. Located on the roof of the Mathematical Sciences building, the Planetarium offers great views of UCLA’s campus and the lights of Westwood Village. The Planetarium welcomes astronomers of all ages.
Cheer on the UCLA Bruins
With UCLA’s impressive athletic legacy, a classic Westwood experience is to attend an event for one of the universities 25 varsity sports. The school has won an incredible 119 national championships (2nd all time) and continue to field competitive teams. If a women’s beach volleyball match coincides with your trip I would highly recommend attending as the university recently redid their sand arena and it’s a very fun way to spend an afternoon. Mens basketball, mens tennis, and women’s gymnastics are all historically very strong and fun to watch. Find the calendar here
Dining and Shopping
Westwood Village is a shopping and commercial district in the heart of Westwood, home to a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shops.
Diddy Riese
Diddy Riese stands as yet another iconic symbol of Westwood, with its popularity evident from the eternally present line streaming from the door. College students and visitors alike line up to enjoy one of the famous cookies or an ice cream sandwich. As a bonus, this shop is perfect for a college student’s budget, with each cookie costing only 50 cents. Whether you are in need of a sugar fix or a dozen cookies to share with friends, Diddy Riese should not be missed.
Espresso Profeta
Profeta is Westwood’s quaint, welcoming coffee shop for those who consider themselves to be coffee aficionados. Profeta strives to perfect their beverages by offering a simple menu of classics, as well as an assortment of fresh pastries. The interior of the coffee shop is furnished with modern furniture and artwork, creating a pleasant juxtaposition with the red brick walls. Coffee can also be enjoyed in a small courtyard outside. Whether you’re stopping for a quick caffeine fix or looking for a great study environment, Profeta is the answer.
Farmers' Market
If you happen to be in Westwood on a Thursday, be sure to stop by the Farmers’ Market on Broxton. Whether you are interested in picking up some local produce or simply browsing the handmade products, a stroll through the market will always be worthwhile. Several food stands are also available, including highly praised Elote (Mexican street corn) and Afghan Bolani. Be sure to visit this lively market and get a taste of the local flair of Westwood Village.
Nearby Attractions
Venture just outside of Westwood to discover even more exciting destinations.
The Getty Center
One of the best things to do near UCLA is to visit the beautiful Getty Center. This gorgeous Richard Meier designed campus of the Getty Museum is located just outside of Westwood in nearby Bel Air. After parking, a tram will take you up the gorgeous Santa Monica mountains to the stunning gardens and exhibitions of the Getty. The museum was initially built to house the collection of J. Paul Getty and continues to do so while housing additional exhibits. The best part is that aside from parking, attending the museum is completely free.
Los Angeles Attractions
Named one of TripAdvisor's top 25 tourist destinations in the United States, Los Angeles offers mouthwatering cuisine from all over the world, as well as numerous classic Hollywood attractions, famous sports teams, exciting nightlife and breathtaking beaches. Whether you're in the mood to work out, chill out, dress up or eat up, the city is the perfect place to do it.
With sunshine and warm weather practically year-round, residents of Southern California always have a reason to go outside. Spend a day at Venice Beach. Take a stroll along the Santa Monica Pier and ride the Ferris wheel over the Pacific Ocean. Hike the interconnecting trails at Will Rogers, Temescal and Topanga parks, or wade in the rock pool at Malibu Creek State Park.
The restaurant choices near campus are as diverse as the city's population. Westwood, West Los Angeles and Korea Town offer a wide variety of Asian eateries - including Noodle Planet, Sushi Gen and Road to Seoul. Santa Monica's Italian food is hard to forget at C&O Trattoria, as are the tacos at El Cholo.
After a long day in the classroom or exam room, students sometimes need a night out to unwind. Show off your dance moves at Zanzibar, Boulevard3 or Busby's.
For students who enjoy gazing at stars-whether they're celestial or celebrity-LA is the place to do it. Attend a planetarium show or use one of the telescopes at Griffith Observatory. You may also hit the popular tourist sites in Hollywood, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the iconic Hollywood Sign.
Along with the UCLA Bruins, LA is home to two Major League Baseball franchises and two NBA teams, as well as professional soccer and hockey programs.
If you're into roller coasters, movies or both, you'll love LA's theme parks. Disneyland and California Adventure are a one-hour drive from campus.
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