ucla campus walking tour

UCLA Bruin Blog

Your sneak peek into UCLA and the Bruin Family

Planning a Campus Tour at UCLA

Thank you for your interest in visiting UCLA! We are excited to welcome you and your guests to campus to learn more about the Bruin experience first hand. If you would like to visit , be sure to reserve your spot on a campus tour! We encourage you to plan your visit early since our tours quickly fill up with visitors from across California, the United States, and the world. The tours reservation system will open dates four months in advance. 

Please ensure you are arriving at the tour date and time for which you have reserved. Note: We will not be able to accommodate groups who arrive for a different date and/or time than the one specified in their reservation. We do not offer a waitlist for campus tours nor will we be able to accommodate guests without a reservation. Guests without a reservation may still receive the UCLA self-guided tour map and other suggestions for learning more about our campus from a staff member at check-in and speak with them regarding any questions about the campus as well.

What kind of tour do I sign up for?

There are a few different options to choose from as you explore our Campus Tours website: 

• “Individual Tours” for parties  of 1-6 people which must be reserved online through our website. We encourage you to visit if you are a prospective freshman (from high school) or transfer (from another college/university) applicant. If you would like to make a reservation for 7 or more guests in your party, please contact our Tour Coordinators at (310) 825-8764 Tours are generally offered on all weekdays and Saturdays. Special accommodations (American Sign Language interpreter, wheelchair, no steps tour route) can be provided and you can request these with your reservation. These requests need to be made 2 weeks in advance. 
• “Group Tours” for high schools, community colleges, and community based groups where we can accommodate groups of 10-100 .
•   “Cub Tours” for groups of students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. 

What do I do if the tours are full?

We cannot accommodate guests who do not have a reservation. If a tour is full, we encourage you to continue to check the reservation site as registered guests may cancel and this will open up spots allowing you to make a reservation. If the tour is full and you would still like to visit campus, there is a self-guided tour map available.  This will allow you to go at your own pace, to explore parts of campus you’re most interested in, and to visit the Hill, our residential community, which is not included on the official tour. We also encourage you to visit Undergraduate Admission located at 1147 Murphy Hall where you can speak with an admission advisor and pick up copies of all of our publications. Undergraduate Admission is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. 

I can’t travel to Los Angeles. How do I still explore UCLA?

If you are unable to visit us in person, we encourage you to explore our virtual tour . We will also frequently utilize our social media accounts to provide information on our campus and the application process throughout the year! Be sure to sign up for Get Connected , so you can be aware of any Facebook live events, webinars, or any additional events near where you may live! Please note, that demonstrated interest is not a factor within our review process. This means that if you are able to visit and meet with us or not, your application will not be impacted in any way. We encourage you to utilize our publication library and the resources linked above to best suit your schedule, interests, and questions! 

What else can I explore on campus?

There are many additional ways to explore our campus community! To see our residential communities, sign up for the on-campus housing tour . For students interested in one of our specialty schools (Arts and Architecture, Music, Theater, Film and Television, Nursing, or Engineering), book one of our specialty school tours and information sessions .   During the academic year, you can also experience our academic community first-hand  by sitting in on a class from the approved list of courses for our lecture series .

I’m registered for a tour: what do I do the day of my reservation?

Upon arriving to campus, please proceed to the parking kiosk located at Westwood Plaza and Strathmore Place. A parking attendant will direct you to the nearest available parking structure. Please note, parking for the day is $13. 

For registered guests, you will begin your tour in the Bruin Viewpoint Lounge in Ackerman Student Union . This building is located in Bruin Plaza with some close landmarks including the Luskin Conference Center and the Bruin Bear (great for photos if you arrive early!). You will go to the A Level of Ackerman (above the UCLA Store) and a sign will direct you to where you may check-in. We are located across from the Bruin Pharmacy and next to the Photo Center.

Your campus visit will last approximately two hours, including a 30-minute admission presentation and 90-minute walking tour, guided by a current undergraduate student. The tour includes hills and stairs so comfortable shoes are highly encouraged. Please allow ample time for Los Angeles traffic and parking to arrive at the time specified with your tour confirmation. For more assistance, including visuals on where to park and check-in for your tour, view our Campus Tour highlight on our Instagram !

We hope you are excited to visit our campus! We look forward to welcoming you to campus and answering your questions regarding academic programs, resources, student life, and admissions!

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UCLA Self-Guided Walking Tours of Central Campus

Central campus: student services and historic core.

• United States

Venice, California 90291, United States

Created By: PocketSights

Tour Information

Welcome to Campus!

Our campus overflows with the energy and activity of student life. If you're here on a weekend or holiday, you may see UCLA in a calmer state. Still, waking around will give you a firsthand idea of how it might feel to be a student at UCLA. Enjoy your visit.

What You'll See on the Tour

Pauley pavilion, bruin plaza, powell library, shapiro fountain, leave a comment, download the app, download the pocketsights tour guide mobile app to take this self-guided tour on your gps-enabled mobile device..

Updates and Corrections

Please send change requests to [email protected].

Your Guide to Visiting the UCLA Campus

We’re excited that you want to tour the beautiful campus of UCLA! We have compiled some helpful information for you to make the most of your tour and visit here, including information about dining, shopping, entertainment, accommodations, and transportation. UCLA’s campus is not only inviting, but very convenient for students, parents and other visitors to access and explore.

TOURING UCLA

You can visit UCLA year-round on weekdays and weekends, but you’ll find the campus service limited or closed during major state and federal holidays. Also, during times of reduced student traffic (such as between academic quarters), you’ll find services limited as well.

UCLA Bruin Day

UCLA Bruin Day for freshman is on Saturday, April 14, 2018, and is your chance to not only visit UCLA, but to celebrate it! A number of activities, events and presentations are planned on this day, to make your decision to attend UCLA so much easier. These include: attending academic lectures , attending presentations highlighting specific academic departments and programs , and learning about UCLA’s community, benefits, and other student opportunities .

The BruinDay website also has a great portal for all campus landmarks, museums and gardens, athletic and recreation centers and arts and entertainment venues that you might like to visit. UCLA Bruin Day for Transfers is on May 12, 2018, with similar informative and fun events for prospective students. Visit the UCLA Bruin Day website for all information about both days.

UCLA Campus Tours

You can schedule individual tours and group tours easily at the UCLA Campus Tours website . These tours offer a fun way to explore all the major points on campus, with helpful guides that provide you with fun facts and helpful information about key buildings, facilities, departments and the university itself – as they walk you through North, Central and South points on campus. If you are a newly-admitted student, UCLA has even organized a special tour program, the Admitted Student Presentation and Tour , that can be accessed on the UCLA admissions portal .

For a self-guided tour, this handy map provides you with information about all the key points on campus designated into different zones. We hope that you’ll use this guide when exploring the campus and all it has to offer, for the best experience.

DINING AT UCLA

The UCLA dining scene is among the best in the nation for students – and it’s great for parents and other visitors, too! UCLA has many fast-casual and other quick dining spots throughout its three segments of campus: North Campus, Central Campus, and South Campus. If fine dining is your thing, then there’s even an acclaimed restaurant serving Mediterranean-inspired, California fresh cuisine at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center. Plateia Restaurant is open seven days a week and has excellent menus, and even a full bar, for visitors to the campus.

Central Campus

Central Campus refers to the main core of campus at Ackerman Union – the university’s student union. Here, there are two main food courts where you can find popular local chains like Rubio’s or Wolfgang Puck’s. At the same time, the Kerckhoff Coffee House is a student-favorite on campus, serving a wide selection of different coffees.

North Campus

North Campus is the uppermost part of campus near Royce Hall and its vicinity. There are two main dining areas in this part of campus: North Campus Student Center and Lu Valle Commons. Aside from the usual selection of fresh salads, sandwiches, pizza and other quick meals, Northern Lights is a great stop for coffee if you’re trekking this part of campus.

South Campus

To every student who frequents this part of campus, they’ll tell you the place to be for food is the Court of Sciences Student Center – formerly known as “The Bomb Shelter” (when it actually served as that, during the Cold War). These days, you can grab a quick meal – from rotisserie chicken to noodle bowls, and even visit Northern Lights’ cousin to the south – Southern Lights – for some great coffee!

Plateia Restaurant

Finally, the jewel of fine dining on campus is Plateia within Luskin Conference Center. The selection of freshly prepared foods is as impressive as the ambiance. Whether you’d like to dine in its amazing interior or on the patio near the calming fountain, Plateia is a great place to experience the best of dining on the UCLA campus. Plateia is also most convenient for parents and other visitors to the UCLA campus who are staying at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center. Plateia is conveniently located on the lobby level and has menus for all meals: breakfast , lunch , dinner and even a special menu for weekend breakfast . They also offer happy hours daily from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

SHOPPING AT UCLA

When you visit UCLA, there are two great options for shopping. These include visiting the UCLA Store or nearby Westwood Village, with a wide selection of boutique and chain stores.

Show your UCLA spirit by stopping by the main shopping center on campus – the UCLA Store – to buy anything Bruin. From UCLA apparel to posters to books and other merchandise, you’ll find it in this hotspot for shopping on campus. Also, everything you purchase at the UCLA Store benefits the UCLA campus. A percentage of all proceeds goes to supporting UCLA campus services, activities and even athletics. Visit the UCLA Store website for more information or hours !

Westwood Village Shopping

Westwood Village is the community of shops, restaurants, and entertainment surrounding the UCLA campus. Here, you’ll find boutique stores and national chain brands like Target, where you can find almost everything you are looking for while visiting UCLA! The Westwood Village local business directory is an excellent way to find a particular store in the area.

ENTERTAINMENT AT UCLA

As a world-renowned academic and cultural institution, UCLA invites some of the top musical, acting and other performing arts talent in the world to campus. At the same time, UCLA’s departments also hold shows and screening in Westwood Village, just a 5-10 minute walk from UCLA.

Performing Arts

The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television showcases some of the finest live theater in Los Angeles at the Little Theater, Freud Playhouse and Royce Hall on the UCLA campus. Performances are always ongoing, so we recommend checking the performing arts calendar prior to your visit or the Center for the Art of Performance website for all information about performing arts events at UCLA!

Movie Theaters

UCLA has produced many famous actors, actresses, producers, and directors. Its proximity to Hollywood also means that it is around some amazing movie theaters. In fact, two signature theaters are within walking distance from UCLA in Westwood Village. They are the Fox Village Theatre and Bruin Theatre . If you’re lucky, you might catch a movie premiere happening live in front of the Fox Village Theater – a popular place for movie premieres.

UCLA’s storied men’s basketball program has won 11 national championships and cemented its place as one of the premier programs in the nation. It joins other UCLA athletic programs in having a strong history and winning tradition. See which sports are in season and if you can catch a game while on campus !

There are several acclaimed museums on campus and off-campus. UCLA Fowler Museum is a fine collection of art and artifacts celebrating the culture of the Americas. See the museum celebrating the history of the Internet (started at UCLA), the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame , or even the UCLA Meteorite museum on campus. If you feel like venturing nearby off-campus the Hammer Museum is also home to great art and performances.

STAYING AT UCLA

Visiting UCLA from a distant city means that you’ll most likely want to stay on or near campus. Los Angeles is an amazing city yet a very large one! So, we recommend staying as close to UCLA as you can, so that you can easily tour the campus without having to commute. In fact, the best advice is to stay on the campus itself at the UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center . The conference center has world-class accommodations available for prospective students and their families .

UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center Accommodations

Staying at UCLA is a simple decision to make, with the UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center and its offering of comfortable single and double rooms . These rooms were designed with complete comfort in mind, and have modern amenities for your enjoyment. The UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center is also conveniently located at the center of campus, where you can easily start exploring everything UCLA has to offer!

Single Rooms at UCLA Luskin Conference Center

Stay in one of the single, king rooms at the conference center, furnished with a king bed, an armchair, a desk with an ergonomic chair, and a flat-screen HDTV. The bathrooms also include a full-size walk-in shower and a marble vanity. King rooms at the UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center are 300 square feet and can sleep up to two guests.

Double Rooms at UCLA Luskin Conference Center

Double rooms are larger than the single, king rooms and have 340 square feet of space with two queen beds, an armchair, a desk with an ergonomic chair, and a flat-screen HDTV. The bathroom has a full-size walk-in shower and marble vanity.

Hotels Near UCLA

Neighboring Westwood Village offers budget and luxury hotel accommodations for visitors to the UCLA campus. Some popular hotels include the Hotel Angeleno near the northern-most point of campus, the W Los Angeles-West Beverly Hills hotel and Hilgard House Hotel & Suites near the eastern edge of campus and the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Los Angeles Beverly Hills south of campus on Wilshire Boulevard.

GETTING TO & AROUND UCLA

Getting to the UCLA campus from major airports like Los Angeles International Airport(LAX) is much easier than other places throughout the city. UCLA is just 12 miles from the airport. Hailing a rideshare like Uber or Lyft is also simple, as they pick up and drop off at several designated points on campus – including at the UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center.

Visitor Parking

If you prefer to drive yourself, you can park at Lot 8 or Lot 7 and Lot 4, some of the most convenient structures for visitors. Lot 8 is most convenient, as it is located just steps from the UCLA Luskin Conference Center and its accommodations and restaurant. A daily parking pass is $12 and includes unlimited in-and-out access. Please see the full campus parking map for all your parking options.

Shuttle Service (BruinBus)

The local shuttle service for UCLA is BruinBus . It’s an energy-efficient, clean fleet of buses that are also wheelchair accessible, air-conditioned and pick-up and drop-off on and off campus in nearby Westwood Village. If you want to get to points north or south of campus without walking or driving, BruinBus is an excellent option. See the BruinBus map or find other information about BruinBus .

MORE INFORMATION

Again, we’re happy to have you visit UCLA and look forward to you having an amazing experience! For any additional information or details to help you on your trip to UCLA, visit the official UCLA Visitor Website . Best of luck and have a wonderful time at UCLA!

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• Maps & Tours

On Campus Housing Walking Tour

Tour schedule - suspended.

In-person tours are not currently offered.

Tour Information

Our tours last about 45 minutes and include a visit to at least one of our four different on-campus room types. University Apartments off-campus are not shown on the tour.

Housing tours take place Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), starting at 1 p.m. in front of Covel Commons in the Sunset Village plaza. The tour calendar will indicate the exact availability for upcoming tours. We encourage you to eat lunch at one of our residential restaurants or the Bruin Cafe before or following the tour.

Please note that housing tours and campus tours are independent of each other and require separate reservations. Housing tours are scheduled to accommodate students and parents taking either the 10:15 a.m. or 2:15 p.m.  campus tour . Allow approximately 15 minutes to walk uphill from the end of the campus tour outside the Morgan Intercollegiate Athletic Center (by the Bruin bear statue) to Covel Commons. The housing tour involves some step climbing, so we recommend comfortable shoes. Please visit the  Visitor's Section  of the UCLA website for visitor parking, maps, directions and more information about campus tours. 

Group Tour Requests:

If you have a group of 10 or more, please email us at [email protected] to confirm availability.  

Sign up for a Tour

Please use the Online Reservation form to schedule your walking tour of UCLA's housing facilities. Note: Please be aware that some tour dates will appear as "not available" on the Housing Tour Calendar if no tour is offered that date, or will appear as "full" when all allotted tour spaces have been reserved for a specific day. There is no guarantee that tour space will be available on your desired date, so register early.

Cancel or Edit Your Tour Reservation

Please have your housing tour confirmation number available to use our Online Change Reservation form .

• Make a Tour Reservation
• Cancel or Edit Tour Reservation

Housing Services Office 360 De Neve Drive Los Angeles, CA 90095-1383 Mail Code: 138307

E-mail: [email protected] Please check here for current hours of operation.

Department Phone Numbers

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Campus Tours

While on our campus, take a journey through Berkeley history as you cross Sproul Plaza. Relax in the shade along Strawberry Creek. Get a big picture view of the Bay Area from the Campanile. Feel the world-changing energy of over 35,000 students from around the world.

We offer a variety of tours to help you explore the Berkeley campus, from family tours to large groups to self-guided options. We offer Spanish and Mandarin language tours on request with 14 days notice. Choose a link to the left for more information.

If you would like to attend an admissions presentation in addition to a campus tour, please note that separate reservations are required. Visit the  admissions office reservation system  to book an admissions presentation.

Please note that we own one wheelchair which is on a first-come first-served basis. It can only be used during the tour.

We are unable to store luggage for our guests. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Neighborhood

• Downtown L.A.
• Historic South-Central
• Playa Vista
• Studio City
• West Los Angeles

Restaurants

Celebrate graduation or move-out day at the best restaurants near L.A.’s college campuses

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Graduation season is upon Los Angeles. Parents and extended family members are traveling in for the occasion, while students are wrapping up finals and preparing to walk across the stage into a new, postgraduate phase of life.

This year, due to nationwide pro-Palestine protests on college campuses, some of those annual celebrations look a little different. Citing security concerns, USC canceled its mainstage commencement and held a smaller ceremony at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum last week; attendance was limited to graduates, their families and loved ones.

At UCLA, a pro-Palestine encampment was destroyed with more than 200 protesters arrested , though graduation ceremonies remain on schedule for June 13 through June 16. At other campuses across Southern California, campus life is marching on as usual, with some students heading home for the summer while others enter the “real world” of interviews and job hunting.

Dining options near college campuses usually are focused on convenience and affordability, such as the USC Village development that opened in 2017 with a Trader Joe’s and Starbucks below new student housing. Fine-dining options fit for a special occasion like commencement can be harder to come by.

But in the neighborhoods just outside of L.A.’s college campuses, there are plenty of restaurants that affirm the city’s status as a global food capital and are fit for a celebratory meal. Whether you are visiting for college tours or helping a family member move in or out of the dorms, skip the student dining experience at least once for establishments that offer a rich glimpse into the city’s culinary world, from a classic deli near Cal State Northridge to Yucatán-influenced seafood near USC, Persian cuisine within walking distance from UCLA, Colombian comfort food convenient to Cal State Long Beach and more.

Joan's on Third near Cal State Northridge

Lum Ka Naad near Cal State Northridge

Selva near Cal State Long Beach

Sophy's near Cal State Long Beach

Coni'Seafood near Loyola Marymount

Superfine Playa near Loyola Marymount

Lulu near UCLA

Taste of Tehran near UCLA

Holbox near USC

Maccheroni Republic near USC

Eat your way across L.A.

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