UCLA campus tour: Royce Hall, the Janss Steps and Westwood

The University of California, Los Angeles began in 1919 and moved to its hilltop campus in Westwood in 1929. Today it's a self-contained small city on the west side of Los Angeles, between Bel Air, Brentwood and the high-rises of Wilshire Boulevard, with red-brick buildings, generous lawns and near-constant sunshine. The campus is large and hilly, but the historic heart is compact. This guide takes you through it in a sensible order and covers the practical side of a visit.

The shape of the campus

UCLA is easiest to understand in four parts. The north campus holds the humanities, arts and the sculpture garden. The historic centre, around Royce Quad, is where you'll find the landmark buildings. South campus is home to the sciences, engineering and the medical centre. And on the west side, up a steep slope, is the Hill, where most of the student housing and dining halls are. Westwood Village sits just south of campus, and Bruin Walk, the main east–west path, connects the Hill with the centre.

Royce Quad: two landmark buildings

Royce Hall is the building on most UCLA postcards. Its two brick towers were inspired by the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio in Milan, and it was one of the first buildings on the Westwood campus. Inside is a large concert hall that hosts music, dance and theatre as well as well-known speakers; check its programme if your visit falls on an evening.

Directly across the quad, Powell Library was modelled on the Basilica of San Zeno in Verona. Its domed rotunda and grand reading room make it one of the favourite study spots on campus, and visitors can usually look into the main spaces during opening hours, keeping in mind that students are working.

The Janss Steps

From Royce Quad, the broad brick Janss Steps lead down to the lower campus and the athletic fields. They were once the main entrance to the university, and on sunny days students sit along them between classes. The top of the steps gives one of the best views across campus.

Sport at UCLA

Pauley Pavilion, on the lower campus, is home to UCLA basketball. The men's basketball programme has won more national championships than any other, and the arena celebrates that history. UCLA football plays its home games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena rather than on campus. If your trip takes you to Pasadena, our Caltech campus tour covers the other university there.

Gardens and museums worth a detour

Murphy Sculpture Garden: a shaded lawn on north campus scattered with 20th-century sculpture, open to everyone.
Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden: a quiet, wooded garden on the south-east corner of campus.
Fowler Museum: focused on the arts and cultures of Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas.
Hammer Museum: run by UCLA, on Wilshire Boulevard at the edge of Westwood, with changing exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.

Life on the Hill and in Westwood

Most first-year students live on the Hill, a cluster of residence halls and dining halls on the west side of campus. It's a steep walk down to classes and a steeper one back, and students often joke about it. Ackerman Union and the Student Activities Center, near Bruin Walk, are the everyday hubs, with food, shops and student organisations. Westwood Village, immediately south, is the campus neighbourhood: cafés, restaurants, historic cinemas and shops within a few minutes' walk.

Booking an official visit

UCLA typically offers student-led campus tours and admissions presentations for prospective students, along with self-guided options. Places are limited and usually need advance registration, and schedules vary through the year, so check the university's official visitor pages before you plan your day. Arrive with time to park and find the meeting point, which can take longer than you expect.

Getting there and around

By air: Los Angeles International Airport is the nearest major airport. By car, the trip can take anywhere from half an hour to much longer depending on traffic on the 405.
By bus: Westwood is served by Metro buses and Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus, which link it with Santa Monica, downtown and elsewhere.
By car: visitor parking is in designated campus structures; follow the signs from the main entrances.
On foot: once you're on campus, walking is simplest. Wear comfortable shoes for the hills and stairs.

Picking a neighbourhood for your stay

Westwood: the closest option, with hotels along Wilshire and Le Conte Avenue within walking distance of campus.
Brentwood and Century City: a short drive away and handy for the Getty Center.
Santa Monica: a popular choice for combining a campus visit with the beach, about 20 to 40 minutes' drive depending on traffic.
Beverly Hills: just east of Westwood, with a wide range of hotels.

Tips for a smoother day

Plan around traffic: aim to be on campus early, before mid-morning congestion.
Start at Royce Quad, walk down the Janss Steps, then head up to the Hill and finish in Westwood Village.
Bring sun protection and water; much of the campus is exposed.
Check the university's visitor pages again shortly before your trip, as tour times and parking arrangements change.

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Cover photo: Beyond My Ken, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons