Home to the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Westwood is a vibrant neighbourhood that’s young at heart. The presence of UCLA has attracted a population that’s both young and wonderfully diverse, which makes it a perfect place to experience the city’s student culture.
Beyond touring UCLA campus, the neighbourhood also features the vibrant Westwood Village. Opened in the late 1920s, Westwood’s retail precinct is now a coveted place to indulge in a little retail therapy. As well as shops and restaurants, Westwood Village is also home to some of LA’s most well-preserved historical motion picture theatres.
As its name suggest, Westwood is tucked into the northern central portion of LA’s Westside region. It’s 24-kilometres from Downtown LA, with the drive taking around 30-minutes. Thanks to the neighbourhood’s student population Westwood is well-serviced by public transport, with the trip from Downtown LA taking just over an hour.
For those wanting to know more about LA’s history, Westwood is a great place to start. The Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery is home to a host of celebrity graves, including the likes of Marilyn Monroe. For those in search of culture, the Hammer Museum is known for its progressive exhibitions.