By: Sophia Pei ‘22

It’s that time of year! School is starting, summer is coming to an end. You may believe you’ve escaped the worst of the heat, but September only brings more of that dry, signature LA heat. Whether you’re hoping to explore LA with friends, looking for ideas for a date, or simply love ice cream, here are some of my favorite ice cream stores in LA that are easily accessible by public transport. This list is not for the weak of heart, all these stores are known for their unique (and unconventional) flavors so explore with an open mind!

By: Sarah Ko ‘22

Looking to get streetwear, sneakers, or thrifted items? Melrose in West Hollywood is the epitome of fashion in LA. Here are some of the must go to places! Businesses in the Video: Round Two, American Vintage, Crossroads, RNCNSTRCT, Bait, Pearl’s Finest Teas, Flight Club, and Supreme.

By: Sarah Ko ‘22

Want a day off from campus and head to a sun-filled California beach? Grab your friends, beach towels, and sunscreen and head to Santa Monica beach! It’s easy to get there, and only takes 30 minutes!

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

From Forrest Gump to Grand Theft Auto, you’ve likely seen the Santa Monica pier. This iconic tourist destination features a historic merry-go-round, an arcade, live music, good food, and countless rides in Pacific Park. Want to show visiting friends around LA or simply play tourist yourself? This is the perfect place to be a tourist and enjoy the California coast. Here are some pro tips and information from a Santa Monica local so you can fully enjoy your visit to the pier!

By: Ann Nguyen ‘22

It’s about that time in the semester when most midterms — yes, even the “Exam 2′s” that occurred after mid-semester and therefore technically aren’t midterms anymore — have passed, the essays worth 40% of your grade have been turned in, and there’s the smallest window of opportunity for a break. If you’re looking to leave the hustle and bustle of our busy city, then maybe the mountains are where you should go. Whether you enjoy hiking or just breathing in crisp, fresh air, an escape into nature is the perfect way to relax, collect yourself, and get ready for the final stretch toward finals.

By: Alexis M Peters ‘20

ATTENTION BOOK LOVERS EVERYWHERE: It’s that time of the year again! The time when the sun is hot and the books are hotter! You guessed it! It’s the 24th annual LA Times Festival of Books! You may have wondered what all those white tents popping up across campus were for. Well, everyone is gearing up for what’s sure to be an amazing fun-filled literary weekend. The LA Times Festival of Books is huge 2-day extravaganza; it’s the world’s largest literary festival, all right on USC’s campus! There will be panels featuring a plethora of authors and writers, book signings, pop up book shops, musical performances, and the celebration of all things bookish!

By: Camila Grases ‘21

In celebration of one USC’s most distinguished professors, Dr. Morten Lauridsen, the USC Choral Artists and Symphonic Orchestra will be performing one of his major works, the Lux Aeterna, this Sunday, April 14th, in the Walt Disney Concert Hall. It will be an incredible send off to one of the most iconic composers of the choral world.

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Are you interested in going to Chinatown, but don’t really know what to expect? Here are some snippets from my own trip to get a taste of what Chinatown has to offer!

By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22

You read that right…nature in LA! Who knew? I wasn’t being sarcastic either — half of the fun of the nature that exists in this metropolis is finding it. Because, well, it’s LA. In a city with stars seemingly everywhere but in the sky, green space is one of the last things I think of. Lucky for you all, I’ve done the intrepid (internet) exploring for you. For those brave enough to venture where the paths are dirt and there’s a little more wildlife than rats and roaches, here are the best places in the LA area to catch a breath of fresh air.

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

Every Sunday there is a food festival with hundreds of vendors hosted in Downtown LA and New York City. Smorgasburg in LA is hosted from 10AM to 4PM at 777 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021. This is the perfect place for open-minded people willing to try LA’s signature food fusions as well as a great place to just browse the latest food trends and enjoy aesthetic lifestyle stands (after all, admissions is free!). This Sunday, some friends and I decided to explore. Here are some highlights and breakdown on the biggest open-air food market in America.

By: Karla Leung ‘22

Fashion Industry Association, most often abbreviated as FIA, is a Marshall School of Business based club and is the only fashion focused club on USC’s campus. Hosting a fashion show for the past fifteen years, this year’s theme was Made in LA, meaning every brand and designer featured is based and made in Los Angeles. Not only is it supporting local brands (including USC student designers), but also ensuring that the clothing is ethically sourced. Los Angeles is known for being one of the fashion capitals of the world for its innovation and fashion startups, and the USC fashion show highlighted some of the great talent coming out of LA.

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

Looking for great Japanese food and cute plushies but don’t want to deal with Little Tokyo tourist traps? Visit Sawtelle instead. Just 10 stops heading west on the Metro Expo line from USC is West LA’s “Little Japantown.” This mini center of East Asian food and novelties is located on Sawtelle Blvd. As a West LA resident, this was one of my go-to spots growing up. Here are some of my favorite things to do at Sawtelle.