25 Beautiful West Coast Campuses You Have to See to Believe

10. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – Los Angeles, CA

UCLA is a dazzling mosaic of classic grandeur and modern ambition. Nestled in the hills of Westwood, it’s one of the most iconic urban campuses in America, where Romanesque Revival buildings like Royce Hall and Powell Library provide a dramatic contrast to sleek glass research towers and state-of-the-art science complexes. The campus is expansive and energetic, with palm-lined walkways, verdant quads, and a steady hum of student life that pulses from its athletic fields to its sculpture gardens. But what truly sets UCLA apart is the way it bridges academia with culture. Just minutes from Hollywood and the Getty Center, the school pulses with creativity—home to world-class film, music, and arts programs, and a hub for innovation in health, business, and technology. With access to L.A.’s booming entertainment and startup scenes, students here live at the intersection of global influence and local sunshine. Views from the top of campus stretch to the Pacific Ocean, while the vibrant city beats below. UCLA isn’t just a university—it’s a metropolis of intellect, culture, and endless possibility.