Summer break, or is it? Whether you’re going to be on campus because you have summer classes or are simply just staying in your apartment, there are tons of things for you to do! Here are just a few options that can get your mind turning and give you a taste of summer.
1. Explore Westwood Village
Are you really a UCLA student if you haven’t walked around Westwood? Westwood Village has a mix of dining, shopping and entertainment that you can enjoy after just a short walk from your apartment or campus. Start your day off from the many cafes nearby like the Ministry of Coffee or Elysee Bakery & Cafe. Walk around and visit the Hammer Museum if you haven’t already! Or visit the Regency Village Theatre and enjoy one of the new movies of the summer. And if you already did all that and are going to be in Westwood for some time, try out a new restaurant every week. You never know if you might find your new favorite spot!
2. Visit the Getty Center
Located a few miles from UCLA, the Getty Center is known for impressive collections of paintings, sculptures, stunning gardens and architecture. And the best part is, admission is totally free! If you want to make a day of it, head over and enjoy the museum or the views of Los Angeles from the outside. With tons to do and tons to view, you will surely have a great time!
3. Kick it at the beach
The breezes we feel on campus are due to a great option to explore during the summer: the beach. UCLA is in close proximity to some of California’s most iconic beaches like Santa Monica or Venice Beach. There are tons of things you can do, including just soaking up in the sun with a good book, playing volleyball, renting a bike or diving in to go swimming. Santa Monica Pier also has a great number of activities for you to check out, so make a day of it!
4. Enjoy outdoor markets and festivals
Westwood has many activities this summer that you can see on signs on the street and check out on the Westwood Village Improvement Association website: https://thewestwoodvillage.com/events/.
Some events that they’re having include Cinema Under the Stars, which will be showing “Ratatouille” on September 14. There will also be trivia nights at Barney’s Beanery on Wednesdays and at Broxton Brewery and Public House on Thursdays. These are just a few events, so check out the rest on their website!
5. Take a Hike!
If you’re more of an outdoorsy person, you’ve definitely still got options! The nearby Santa Monica Mountains have great trails for you to hike or walk around and enjoy. You can get in a workout, enjoy the views and have great chats with your friends while you do it! Besides, there are many different trails for you to pick from depending on how strenuous you are trying to work out. Check out this website for a list of the different hiking trails.
6. Theme parks
If you’re looking to splurge and have a good time and are willing to drive to do it, UCLA is close to some of the best attractions, including Universal Studios and Disneyland! These are places that may have a bigger price point, but if you’re willing to pay for it, you will have tons to do! Great rides, good food and friends to spend time with? Sounds like a good time to me.
Being in Westwood for the summer does not mean that you need to only focus on school and the general lull of our campus. There are many things to do around Westwood and the larger LA area, so the next time you find yourself wanting to explore, go out and have fun!
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Featured Image Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife
