Life in Los Angeles
Many residents at Harbor-UCLA live in one of the South Bay beach cities — many of them within viewing- or walking-distance of the ocean! Popular places to live include Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach. The most popular other locations include West Los Angeles/Culver City, Long Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles. The temperature in the South Bay is usually perfect for a t-shirt and jeans nearly year-round (see the weather forecast below!). Although traffic is always a concern in Los Angeles, residents learn to manage the traffic well and are each happy to discuss tips for their respective neighborhoods. Luckily, there’s so much to do in Los Angeles that you don’t need to go far to have a great time.
Here is a typical weather forecast to give you an idea of what the weather is like in Los Angeles!
LOS ANGELES WEATHERThe Beaches
Many residents (and attendings!) regularly gather to surf, play beach volleyball, bike, run, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or just relax in the sand and sun. With the beach so close to the homes of most of the residents, it is a great way to unwind after a long day’s work. Join our residents, fellows and attendings for our weekly post-conference volleyball games!
Active Life and Sports in LA
Whatever way you like to get outside, Los Angeles has it all. There are incredible opportunities for distance running, road or mountain biking, and both indoor and outdoor rock climbing. Surprising to many, Los Angeles has multiple beautiful scenic and serene hikes ranging from a quick 2-mile jaunt to 10+ miles of beautiful and secluded outdoor terrain. Many residents spend a day off during the winter months to make the short trek to Big Bear (2 hours) to go skiing and snowboarding. There are archery and gun ranges, go-karting, pick-up and competitive sports leagues, parasailing, hang-gliding, skydiving, and more — if you can think of it, it is likely that Los Angeles has it.
Food and Dining
Los Angeles is a mecca for food enthusiasts and we are lucky to have a broad range of restaurants in Los Angeles. From food trucks to Michelin-star fine dining, we have it all. As a large metropolitan center and home to an incredible array of ethnic diversity, countless authentic cuisines are within our reach. Some of the most esteemed Japanese, Italian, Persian, Korean, New American, Mexican, and Vietnamese cuisines can be found near our homes, just to name a few. There are beer and wine events, food tastings, and events multiple times every month in the area. Our residents regularly gather to explore and share all of the amazing food that our city has to offer. If you are a foodie, Los Angeles will not disappoint!
Southern California also has a very active craft brewing scene. In fact, there are several breweries within three miles of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (some of our favorites include Monkish Brewing Company, Smog City Brewing Company, and Absolution Brewing Company) which make for great spaces to unwind with the team after shift.
Family-Oriented
Los Angeles seems like a huge city, but it is also family-friendly. There are countless safe, intimate neighborhoods for growing a family within reach of the hospital. Many residents raise children during residency, and there is no shortage of things for their children to do. There are multiple public parks, libraries, and great family activities available. In addition, major amusement parks such as Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Six Flags Magic Mountain are all a short drive away and loads of fun.
Los Angeles Culture and Entertainment
The Los Angeles area is full of diversity and culture. Iconic museums in the area include the Getty Center, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Natural History Museum, the Griffith Observatory (which also has an optional hike to get there!), the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens and many more. If you’re interested in concerts and plays, the Hollywood Bowl is sure to excite, or check out the Greek Theatre or the Walt Disney Concert Hall. There are many outstanding stand-up comedy and improvisation shows, as well.
Shopping
From outlet malls and outdoor bazaars to ultra-high-end shopping on Rodeo Drive, there is no shortage of retail stores. Along the beach you will find independent shop owners selling their unique handcrafted goods, several neighborhoods are known for their novel boutique storefronts, and in the large malls and shopping strips you will find hundreds of name brand retailers. Maybe wait until your student loans are paid off before shopping on Rodeo Drive, though.