Student Life at UCLA
Geography
The local geography of Southern California provides a unique backdrop for graduate work at UCLA.
Los Angeles is one of the world's few locations where it's possible to snow ski and wind surf in the
same day! The Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains surround Los Angeles and provide a mild climate
with warm winters. Westwood Village is located just south of campus and is a great for restaurants and
movies. The historic Mann Village and Mann Bruin theaters are common locations for Hollywood's movie
premiers.
Sports and Outdoor Activities
UCLA campus is a great place for nearly all sports. The UCLA Recreation Center (http://www.recreation.ucla.edu/flash.html) encompasses the Wooden Center, Pauley Pavillion, and Sunset Canyon Recreation. UCLA boasts several outdoor swimming pools, racket ball courts, outdoor tennis courts (built for the 1984 Summer Olympics), and a rocking climbing wall (just to name a few). Sailing and SCUBA diving lessons are also available through the Recreation Center. The deserts, beaches, and mountains within the Los Angeles area make for a surplus of outdoor activities. There's nothing better than volleyball at Manhattan Beach on the weekends! Great trips are also available to the Channel Islands, and the vineyards of Santa Ynez.
Culture and Fine Arts
UCLA, as well as the Los Angeles area, is a community of diverse individuals from nearly every part of the world. This cultural diversity creates a rich environment for music, art, and theater.
Performing Arts Center of Los AngelesLos Angeles County Museum of Art
J. Paul Getty Museum
UCLA-Hammer Museum
Museum of Tolerance
Other fun things to do near and around Los Angeles:
Theme Parks (including Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Magic Mountain.
Santa Monica Pier Aquarium