It looks like that in the early days after UCLA moved from Vermont Ave to Westwood, the parking situation was “You can park in that field, or in that dirt lot behind it, or pretty much anywhere you like, really.” UCLA moved in 1929 and this photo was taken 1932, so I think of this era as its Wild West period: there is some civilization with those gorgeous buildings completed, a few streetlamps, and a bit of fencing, but apart from that, you’re free to do whatever you like.
Susan M says: “We used to ride our horses above Holmby Hills down to the Bel Air Country Club on Belligio to watch the construction at UCLA and in Westwood in the 30s when I was a kid. If it wasn’t a foggy day, you could see all the Santa Monica Bay and down to Palos Verses from up there.”
Paul V says: “Being in my hood the photo appears to be looking north west from around Hilgard and Wyton. Based on the street placement and location to Royce Hall.”
The UCLA campus is just a teensy bit more built up these days. This satellite image is from January 2020:
What we’re really looking at here is the future parts supply for the entire hot rod kulture when all those jalopies will be fashioned into go-go-go karts! And some day, in the distant future from 1932, college professors will begin to study the new odd phenomenon that took hold across that vast alluvial plain stretching as far down smooth asphalt as a fumer could run flat-out on a full tank. One hundred and twenty miles of hell-on-wheels from sea dunes to sandy deserts….all for the taking with a wrench and blow torch. (My dad said “Son, you’re gonna drive me to drinkin’ if you don’t quit drivin’ that hot rod Lincoln!”.)
I’ve seen a few early photos like this, but I’ve never seen one from this angle. It’s also the only time there was sufficient on-campus parking!
That’s Royce Hall on the right with the two towers. Powell Library is in the center with the rotunda. I’m guessing that must be Kerckhoff on the left.