The UCLA Botanical Garden is a hidden gem nestled within the vibrant campus of the University of California, Los Angeles. This enchanting garden offers a serene escape from the bustling city, with its diverse collection of plants and tranquil pathways.
Dog-Friendly Coffee Shop
Venture beyond the usual Starbucks corners in Westwood Village, and discover the world of cozy coffee shops. When searching for a dog-friendly spot, Toby and I stumbled upon Espresso Profeta, which has an outdoor area where we could sit in the sunshine together. With an array of specialty lattes and pastries, I couldn’t resist indulging in their spiced Mexican latte — a harmonious fusion of cinnamon and a kick of spice, reminiscent of a Mexican hot chocolate. And to Toby’s delight, the patio crowd embraced him with open arms, turning him into the charmer of the scene.
Our Stroll
As we wrapped up our coffee shop visit, Toby and I strolled our way to the beautiful UCLA campus, heading north on Westwood Blvd. The campus was a sight to behold, so we decided to venture through it and take a right turn onto Charles E Young Dr. It wasn’t long before we stumbled upon the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden. The garden was beautiful, with a babbling creek and benches scattered throughout. Toby couldn’t contain his excitement, sniffing all the new smells and even spotting a duck by the water. The dirt trail was nicely paved, providing a cool and shady path to explore. It didn’t take us too long to wander through the entire garden, and we took a well-deserved break on one of the chairs.
After a quick recharge, we continued our adventure around the UCLA campus. We left the garden behind and followed Charles E Young Dr as it curved north. We found ourselves in Dickson Court, a spacious area with plenty of grass for Toby to sniff around. We passed by the Shapiro Fountain, then headed south. Eventually, we landed in the Bruin Plaza, where the famous UCLA Bruin Statue stood tall. We couldn’t resist capturing a photo with the Bruin before deciding to wrap up our exploration.
Interactive Map
View our interactive map on Google Maps. Select the “UCLA Botanical Garden & Bruin Statue” layer for a detailed map of our walking route!
