University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Review

With spectacular buildings such as a Romanesque library, the parklike UCLA campus makes for a fine stroll through one of California's most prestigious universities. In the heart of the north campus, the Franklin Murphy Sculpture Garden contains more than 70 works by artists such as Henry Moore and Gaston Lachaise. The Mildred E. Mathias Botanic Garden, which contains some 5,000 species of plants from all over the world in a 7-acre outdoor garden, is in the southeast section of the campus and is accessible from Tiverton Avenue. West of the main-campus bookstore, the J.D. Morgan Center and Athletic Hall of Fame displays the sports memorabilia and trophies of the university's athletic departments and championship teams.

Campus maps and information are available at drive-by kiosks at major entrances daily, and free 90-minute walking tours of the campus are given most weekdays at 10:15 and 2:15, and Saturday at 10:15. Call 310/825-8764 for reservations, which are required three to four weeks in advance. The campus has cafés, plus bookstores selling UCLA Bruins paraphernalia. The main-entrance gate is on Westwood Boulevard. Campus parking costs $11.

Fowler Museum at UCLA. Many visitors head straight to the Fowler Museum at UCLA, which presents exhibits on the world's diverse cultures and visual arts, especially those of Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Native and Latin America. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 and Thursday until 8 pm. 310/825-4361. www.fowler.ucla.edu. Free, parking $11, use lot 4 off Sunset Blvd.