left. Follow the ramp down into the gardens. Note: At the time of writing, this was a newly built entrance to the gardens, which were still undergoing major improvements thanks to a $5 million gift from UCLA alumnus and philanthropist Morton La Kretz.
Take the time to explore the gardens at your leisure, or perhaps simply sit and relax in the green shade on one of the many benches. This oasis features plant life from all over the world, including many species of tropical and subtropical flora. The topography of UCLA’s botanical gardens is a remnant of the ravine that used to run across the entire campus. Today, a water pump feeds the river that flows down the center of the gardens.
Moore Hall
After spending some time in the gardens, exit back out onto Young Drive.
Turn right on Young Drive and retrace your steps along the perimeter of the campus. After crossing Westholme, you’ll notice the barnlike structure of the Faculty Center on your right.
Just past Murphy Hall, turn right on Dickson Court (instead of continuing straight, which would take you back to the sculpture garden) on a path that will take you past the School of Law on your left.
Turn left to continue on Young Drive, following it all the way back to the intersection with Hilgard Avenue, where you began.
UCLA Campus in Westwood
Points of Interest
10 Central Culver City
Helms Bakery made the official bread of the 1932 Olympics.
Boundaries: Venice Blvd., La Cienega Blvd., Baldwin Hills, Overland Ave.
DISTANCE: 3.5 miles
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
PARKING: Metered parking is available on Washington Blvd.
NEAREST METRO STATION: Expo Line (Culver City)
Culver City flew under the radar for a long time, playing the role of a fairly quiet residential suburb with a perfectly serviceable downtown district and a handful of decent restaurants. But how things have changed: downtown Culver City is now a thriving dining destination, and the excellent selection of eateries has spilled over into the historic Art Deco buildings of the old Helms Bakery complex. This walk takes in Culver City’s hippest corridors, as well as one of the city’s finest parks, which offers breathtaking views of the LA Basin on a clear day.
Walk Description
Start on Helms Avenue north of Washington Boulevard. This section of the street has been turned into a pedestrian-only plaza as part of the revitalization of the Helms Bakery District, a collection of great restaurants and upscale furniture stores housed in the 1930s-era Art Deco warehouse buildings of what used to be Helms Bakery. The large neon sign atop the structure has been restored and is now a famous local landmark, shining bright and colorful at night as it flashes the words HELMS OLYMPIC BREAD.
Turn right on Washington Boulevard. As you approach National Boulevard, you’ll pass
Continue across National Boulevard, passing the Culver City Metro Expo Line station on your right. As you continue to head southwest on Washington, you’ll pass a new creative office development on the left, its parking structure adorned with another colorful mural.
If you haven’t already crossed to the other side of Washington Boulevard, do so at the intersection of Higuera Street. The Rapt Studio building on the corner features yet another colorful, eye-catching mural on the Higuera side of the building, this one by artist Jason Woodside.
Cross Higuera Street to continue on Washington, passing the white Art Deco buildings of Sony Pictures Animation on your left.
After crossing Ince Boulevard, keep straight. You’ll pass
Continue straight ahead through the pedestrian plaza that is home to the ArcLight Cinemas, several restaurants, and
