Live: Los Angeles

The City of Angels

As a USC student, you will experience life in a thriving cosmopolitan center at the crossroads of the Pacific Rim and Latin America.

The region’s diverse terrain offers students a remarkable climate and makes possible a wide range of outdoor activities. No urban area in the country is as densely populated yet has so much open space, from the miles of sun-drenched beaches to the horseback-riding trails and famous observatory of Griffith Park.

Just three miles from campus is the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, an area enlivened by a sophisticated arts scene, numerous entertainment venues and international cuisine.

Across the street from the University Park Campus, students can explore the cultural and historical offerings of Exposition Park, including the Natural History Museum, the California Science Center, an IMAX movie theatre and soon, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.

A world leader in aerospace, entertainment, fashion, technology, telecommunications, biomedicine and trade, Los Angeles offers prime internship and service-learning opportunities.

“The most memorable places to visit in SoCal are our amazing natural landmarks, including our beaches, mountains and deserts. Non-California natives must take trips to all three terrains to have the true SoCal experience.”

—Sophia Perez, Los Angeles, California

Explore L.A.'s Highlights

Hiking L.A.

Grab your hiking boots and explore the area’s natural wonders. Popular destinations include Runyon Canyon, Griffith Park, Mount Baldy, Malibu State Park and Solstice Canyon.

Los Angeles Coliseum

The Coliseum has served as the home field for the USC Trojans since 1923 and has hosted numerous historical and cultural events over the years. It was the site of two Olympiads as well as the first Super Bowl.

Disneyland and Universal Studios

Offering a dizzying array of rides, shops and restaurants — plus a working movie studio — these theme parks remain popular attractions for children and adults alike. USC students and staff can purchase tickets to Universal Studios through the USC Ticket Office.

Grand Central Market

This Downtown landmark brings together cultures and cuisines from around the world.

Santa Monica Beach

Need a study break? Take the Metro Expo Line to the Santa Monica Beach for a day of swimming, surfing, biking, volleyball or sunbathing.

Santa Monica Pier

Complete your trip to Santa Monica with a stroll down the Santa Monica Pier. The western terminus of Historic Route 66, the Pier features an arcade and an aquarium, plus a variety of shops and restaurants. And don’t forget the iconic Ferris wheel and roller coaster.

Hollywood Sign

Perched atop Mount Lee, the sign has become one of the most iconic and evocative symbols of Los Angeles. For a closer view of the sign, hike one of three authorized trails through Griffith Park.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Located in Downtown Los Angeles, this striking architectural landmark was designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, a USC alumnus and former professor of architecture. The hall serves as home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Griffith Observatory

The Griffith Observatory has become one of Los Angeles’ most recognized and beloved landmarks. As both a leader in the field of astronomy and a civic gathering place, it has been featured as a location in Hollywood films since its dedication in 1935. Because Griffith Observatory is a publicly owned facility, admission to it is free.

Getting Around

Los Angeles is famous for its “car culture,” but USC students can take advantage of many different university and L.A. Metro transportation options to navigate the campus or the city. Daily shuttles operate between the university’s University Park and Health Sciences campuses. Downtown L.A. and the L.A. Live entertainment complex are short rides away on the Metro Expo rail line. And the university’s ride-sharing and matching services, partnerships with car-sharing and short-term rental services, and local vehicle rental agencies can help you get where you need to go, inexpensively and in a hurry.

Please visit the USC Transportation website for more information.

Los Angeles at a Glance
200+ Identified Languages Spoken
10.4 Million Population in L.A. County
100+ Museums
72 Degrees Average High Temperature

“One of the great things about USC is its proximity to Downtown L.A. You can attend an L.A. Philharmonic concert at the Disney Hall, see a contemporary art exhibit at The Broad [Museum], and eat incredible food in Little Tokyo—all in a single day!”

— James Wang. Las Vegas, Nevada