Life in LA

Life In LA

From beautiful weather and ocean views to world-class museums and fine dining, Los Angeles has it all! Here are a few of the things that our residents appreciate about LA. UCLA’s School of Medicine also has a webpage of what LA offers which you can access here.

  • Weather: We enjoy great weather year round! Peak summer highs of 85 °F and lows of 66 °F. Peak winter highs of 68 °F and lows of 49 °F. 15 inches of rain annually.

  • Day & Weekend Trips: Day (1-2 hours: Catalina Island, Santa Barbara, Ojai / 2-3 hours: San Diego, Palm Springs, Solvang) and weekend (4-5 hours: Las Vegas / 5-6 hours: San Francisco) trip options are abundant. You can even hop on the Amtrak! Where else can you be an hour away from the snow and 30 minutes away from the beach?!

  • Trails: LA is the only major city in the United States that is bisected by a mountain range; four mountain ranges extend into the city’s boundaries, creating hundreds of phenomenal hiking, running, and mountain biking opportunities. There are numerous running groups and track clubs, as well as several road races throughout the year. Take a 50-mile trek into the Santa Monica Mountains’ wilderness from a trailhead that is only 15 minutes from UCLA! Or, hop in your car and head to one of the six (yes, six) national parks/forests within a 2-hour drive of LA!

  • Climbing: With world-class climbing locations such as Joshua Tree, Malibu Creek, Point Dume, Bishop, Tahquitz, and Red Rock as close as 40 minutes away, LA offers all the sport, trad, and bouldering a climber could ever hope for. Local climbing is also available at the John Wooden Center on UCLA’s campus and the Rockreation climbing gym in Sawtelle, as well as at Hangar 18 in Hawthorne, which is just 20 minutes away!

  • Biking: Even in the city known world-wide for its traffic, there are tons of bike-friendly streets. Nothing beats riding down the Pacific Coast Highway at sunset. Or, ride the Expo Line Bikeway from Downtown to Santa Monica or the Ballona Creek Bike Path from Culver City to Marina Del Rey. LA also has a thriving mountain biking community, especially given the abundance of trails in the mountains in and around the city.

  • Horseback Riding: A journey through the Hollywood Hills is a memorable experience. You can also catch a polo game at Will Rogers State Park on summer weekends.

  • Beach Activities: Surfing, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, beach volleyball, paddle boarding, kayaking, and sunbathing at Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Paradise Cove… The list goes on. Also, anyone can be a member at the Annenberg Beach House in Santa Monica for free!

  • Snow Activities: Mammoth Mountain, Big Bear, Mountain High, Snow Summit, and Lake Arrowhead are relatively short drives away for guaranteed skiing and snowboarding in the winter months.

  • Water Sports: The UCLA gym has kayaking and other sports programs that residents can take advantage of at a discounted rate.

  • Gyms: Present on practically every corner. You choose: LA Fitness, Equinox, Sports Club LA, etc. Or, take advantage of the amenities on UCLA’s campus!

  • Yoga: Year-round! From paddleboard yoga to yoga by the beach.

  • Griffith Park: Home of the LA Zoo, Griffith Park Observatory, Travel Town, and the Greek Theatre.

  • Quiet Places: Lots of tranquil gardens and parks throughout the city.

  • Pet Lovers: Tons of dog beaches, parks, and adoption centers. Some residents are actually “foster parents” to pets while they wait for loving homes. There are also cat cafes around town!