The San Gabriel Valley is so uncomfortably hot and muggy now. I was in Westwood the other day and the weather was beautiful, a cool breeze all over the town. It’s so unfair that the Wesssside has such lovely temps.
I took a walk through the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, which opened on June 30, 2008, after a 10-year building process and a $829.3 million budget. Wow! What an ultra-modern beautiful space designed by I.M. Pei. When I stepped into the main hallway, I was overwhelmed by the spaciousness and white color scheme. I thought I was on a ship in Star Wars and looked for Storm Troopers. It was that white. If you’re in Westwood, I suggest you stop by and see this stunning design which encompasses over 1 million square feet and can withstand up to an 8.3 earthquake. It was utterly beautiful right down to the doors of the bathroom which blended into the walls. The meditation room was also a nice spot, with blankets in a basket.
And if you get hungry, eat there. Hospital cafeterias usually have reasonable prices; $6.60 for a meal including side dishes and drink. This cafe, with a resort-like patio, is up the outside stairs and connected to the Ronald Reagan hospital. There is also a dingy restaurant on the circular driveway of the hospital. Skip that place; the prices were high and the food seemed like greasy hamburger stand fare. Is it wrong to eat at a hospital if you don’t really have a reason to be there? I admit to feeling a little guilty.
The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
757 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095
(310) 825-9111
(Click here for maps and directions)
Take the photo tour on the website. The hospital really felt monumental and took healing to the next level. Way to go UCLA! I wonder if my piddly HMO insurance would get accepted there. Probablly not!
LATimes coverage of opening day. This article says that the 520 new patient rooms are all singles and have daybeds for overnight visitors; bow-tied waiters bring meals; children have Wiis, plenty of play space, electric cars to scoot around in, a ceiling painted like a constellation; and there are separate entrances for the different patients – children get a less initimidating entrance and don’t have to enter with adults.
