Exposing the Expo Line... a few hidden gems you probably didn’t know about
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…
WHAT TO DO NEAR…
7th Street/Metro Center
- Go to the LA Public Library
- Explore the beautiful architecture of the Financial district
- Go Shopping at The Bloc mall
- Get something to eat at the Original Pantry Cafe, open 24/7
Pico
- Grab some food or watch a movie at LA Live
La Cienega/Jefferson
- Wander through the trails of the Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area: the park with a Japanese garden, hiking, and the MLK memorial park is just a short bus ride away from the station
- Cruise down the Ballona Creek bike path (catch the trail a block west of the station)
- Admire the Culver city arts district, a 10-15 minute walk north
Culver City
- Explore the Museum of Jurassic Technology, a quirky museum, teahouse, and theatre
- Tour Sony Pictures Studios and see sets once used for The Wizard of Oz, Jeopardy, Men in Black, and more
- Get something to drink at Boba Guys or Blue Bottle Coffee
Palms
- Visit the Museum of Tolerance, a Holocaust remembrance museum via a ten minute ride on the Big Blue Bus
Westwood/Rancho Park
- Watch a movie at The Landmark, a movie theater playing new as well as independent and avant-garde films
- Catch the Big Blue Bus to Westwood
Expo/Sepulveda
- Explore Sawtelle Japantown and take advantage of all the food, shopping, and karaoke it has to offer
Expo/Bundy
- Attend at concert at McCabe’s guitar shop; find the schedule here
26th and Bergamot
- Stroll through the Bergamot station art galleries right next to the station
17th Street and SMC
- Bring your board and skate at the Cove Skatepark
- Watch a unique show at the Highways Performance Space
Santa Monica
- Ride the roller coaster and other rides at the Pacific Park Amusement Park on the pier
- Go shopping at the 3rd street Promenade
- Watch performers on the pier
- Swim and hang out at the beach
- Be happy that you didn’t have to pay for an Uber all the way here
Want more from Trojans 360?
Visit Trojans 360 on Facebook & Twitter to stay up to date with more student content! You can also Ask A Trojan an anonymous question, and we’ll try to answer it in a future post. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram!
Trojans 360 is USC’s official student-run blog. Content created by students, for students.
