By: Antonia Le ‘22

First off, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room: this article would have been so much more relevant in literally any other semester. But what can I say? By the time I could healthily drink (read: not overload my blood with sugar) from almost every place that sells boba at or near USC, the world had turned upside down, and writing about milk tea didn’t seem so relevant anymore. But the world goes on, and hopefully, we’ll all eventually be back at USC and free to drink all of the boba we want. So, if the existential horror of living in 2020 hasn’t ruined your appetite yet, read onward for a review of (almost) every place where you can get boba around USC.

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

So, you love LA amusement parks. Or, at least one, and you go/want to go often. But tickets are expensive and annual passes are tricky. How expensive are they? Which one gives me the best benefits for the lowest price? Is it even worth it? From Disneyland to Pacific Park, from most to least expensive, keep reading to find out which pass if worth your cash.

By: Ann Nguyen ‘22

Happy Galentine’s Day!! “Oh, what’s Galentine’s Day? It’s only the best day of the year.” “February 14, Valentine’s Day, is about romance, but February 13, Galentine’s Day, is about celebrating lady friends. It’s wonderful, and it should be a national holiday.” — Leslie Knope, Parks and Recreation. If you don’t already have plans yet to set up your mother with an old flame or your best friend with… well, just about anyone, don’t worry. Whether you’re a Ron, April, Ann, or anyone in between, I’ve got the perfect Galentine’s Day activity for you!

By: Talia Walters ‘20

I had the recent, somewhat horrific discovery that Valentine’s day is currently less than 3 days away, and I have planned almost nothing for this weekend. In that panic, I realized I needed to figure something out and fast. So if you also happen to be in that boat (I super don’t blame you, this year is already flying by), then take the research I’ve already done so you can get all of your planning out of the way super fast. Here are a few cool things happening around LA this weekend. At the time of posting, all events still had tickets available, but act quick as I’m sure they’re bound to sell out soon.

By: Karla Leung ‘22

If you’re a broke college student who wants to shop, thrift stores are the way to go. Not only can you find super cool items, but you can save both money and the environment.

By: Karla Leung ‘22

USC is in the heart of Los Angeles, making it extremely convenient to get around and explore the LA area. However, getting around can get pretty pricey. Knowing all your options, whether you want to road trip to San Francisco or just go shopping at The Grove, can help you save time and money.

By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22

Concerts and LA seem to be pretty much synonymous. And, until recently, going to concerts and being broke seemed synonymous as well. But there’s a lot more happening in LA than the big names that’ll leave you with a small wallet. So I made this list: all of the concerts happening in November that I could find that are both easily accessible by metro and—the best part—all under $30. To my surprise, I found names both big and small: Alessia Cara, Julia Michaels…not bad for $30. Whether you feel adventurous and want a fairly low-risk way to check out some new music or spot a name you’ve been following, go out there and get yourself a piece of that LA music pie.

By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22

This is a great time to be alive. No, not because of modern technology or vaccines or Bird scooters. The Expo line running from downtown to Santa Monica has connected the beach to the city since May of 2016. That makes it only the third ―the third!― year that USC students have been able to take advantage of all of the fun destinations now available to us. It’s a great time to be alive. But there’s a lot of city in between the beach and downtown. Here’s what I found…

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Looking to explore Los Angeles, but not really sure where to go? Check out the Japanese Village Plaza in Little Tokyo! With great scenery, great music, and great food, it’s the perfect place if you’re looking to get off of campus. Simply hop on the expo line right from campus, ride eastbound to 7th St/Metro Center, transfer to the Red/Purple train eastbound to Union Station, transfer one last time to the Gold Line southbound towards Atlantic Station before getting off right at Little Tokyo. From there, use this guide to score some of the best snacks available!

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!