Though many might envision fake breasts and spray tans galore, UCLA's immediate environment is a quaint, funky, and down-to-earth little town. Westwood is a teensy bit of sanity in the midst of wild LA, and all you need to enjoy it is your student ID and a pair of walking shoes. Younger students like to hang out here because of the trendy boutiques, varied cafés, and three movie theaters. Movie stars are often spotted shooting scenes in Westwood's narrow streets or picking up dinner at Whole Foods market, ensuring that LA's buzzing vibe is constantly felt.
With a car, everything changes. Loyola Marymount, Cal State Los Angeles, and the University of Southern California (UCLA’s sworn rival) are all within a 20-minute radius. However, although they're close by, students from each university don't usually mingle because of LA's roaring traffic and sections that tend to feel like universe-sized pockets. As for the UCLA galaxy, there are quite a few sights worth checking out that are only a short (cheap) bus or car trip away. LA's clubs are famous in the celebrity world, and there's guaranteed to be an establishment for everyone's interests in town. Legendary theme parks, breathtaking beaches, and historic sites abound, from funky bikes on Venice beach to classy brunches at the Beverly Hilton. The city's jam-packed scale of activities can leave some students feeling overwhelmed, but with a car and some street smarts, Bruins can certainly conquer LA.
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Local Atmosphere at University of California - Los Angeles
A
Lots to Do
Being in LA just gives you so many options. You can explore Westwood, shop at the 3rd Street Promenade at Santa Monica, visit Hollywood, and so much more. My first year, we trick-or-treated in Bel-Air.
Apr 25, 2012
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Local Atmosphere at University of California - Los Angeles
A+
Fun
Everything you could possible want is nearby. Restaurants, museums, observatories, hiking spots, or anything else you could want. Plus, it has a very fun and cheerful atmosphere.
Apr 09, 2012
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Local Atmosphere at University of California - Los Angeles
mepatel
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology '14
4.2
A-
Westwood Village
Westwood Village is a cute, chic town between the city of Los Angeles and Satan Monica. There is tons of food to be had, but not much nightlife. An extra perk of going to UCLA are frequent celebrity sitings!
Mar 30, 2012
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User rating for University of California - Los Angeles - Local Atmosphere is
4.6 out of 5
based on 61 user reviews.
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