Ask A Trojan: How to Explore LA
By Anna Lipscomb ‘19
Los Angeles is one of the best cities in the world. It has it all: endless food options, star-studded entertainment scene, vibrant nightlife, historical and modern museums - you name it. A while ago, someone asked us about the different ways to get around and explore LA. Here is my guide to exploring LA - from transportation options, recommended places to go, and other ways you can go out and experience it all.
Finding Transportation
Uber or Lyft: One of the most convenient ways to get around is through Uber or Lyft. If you’re travelling by yourself or with one other person, you can use Uber Pool to lower the cost. Although Uber and Lyft can sometimes be on the pricy side depending on surge charges and how far the destination is, you can split the fare with your friends, which makes the price more affordable. Also, with this option you don’t have to worry about finding a place to park.
Zipcar: Just make a reservation online and pick it up at a location on or near campus. The great thing about Zipcar is that you can reserve it for the amount of time you are going to use it - whether it’s for a few hours or a few days.
Enterprise: This is another great option for renting a car. Enterprise even offers discounts if you have your USC ID.
Metro: Taking the Metro is a cheap way to get around Los Angeles from USC. The fare is $1.75. You can take the Expo Line (Expo Park/USC, on Exposition Boulevard) or Jefferson/USC (On S Flower St, just past the Galen Center). The Expo Line can take you to places such as Culver City and Santa Monica. Metro created a pocket guide for USC with a list of destinations that can easily be accessed by the Metro lines near USC.
Metrolink: If you want to explore some of the other counties near LA, you could try Metrolink, which is a rail system. Some the routes serving USC include San Bernardino and Orange County.
Popular Destinations
The Beach!
To Venice Beach: Want to spend some time in the sun? To go by bus, take the Metro Expo Line to Culver City. Get off and walk to the bus stop at Venice/Robertson and catch Bus 33 to Venice Beach (you can also catch Bus 1 at Washington Blvd/National Blvd). [approx 1 hr 15 min]. By Uber (Pool), expect the price to be around $20-35 and take around 30 min depending on traffic.
To Santa Monica Pier: Want to spend time on amusement park rides by the water? Take the Metro Expo Line to Downtown Santa Monica. Walk for about 0.5 miles and you will be at Santa Monica Pier [approx 1 hr travel time]. By Uber (pool), it would be around $10-15 and take around 30 min to get there. Santa Monica Pier also has Pacific Park (an amusement park). Individual ticket prices are $5 or $8 depending on the ride, but you can get an unlimited ride wristband for $29.95 ($27.95 if you buy it online). Other than going to the amusement parks or taking long walks on the beach, you can explore all of the different food and shopping options located close by.
Other popular beaches in LA you can check out: Hermosa, Manhattan, Malibu
Museums
LACMA (Art) There are multiple ways to get there, but one of the most straight-forward and quick ways to get there is to take the Metro Expo Line to La Cienega/Jefferson Station, then get off and take the 217 bus (Hollywood/Vine Station) to Fairfax/6th [~48 min]. Uber Pool: $3.40 (22 min) [may vary depending on day/time]. Admission for students (with ID) is $10.
The Getty (Art) Take the Metro Expo Line to Expo/Sepulveda Station. Walk for about 1 minute and take the 734 at Sylmar Station to Sepulveda/Getty Center [~1 hr 19 min]. Uber Pool: $21.82 (25 min) [prices and times can vary].The admission is free, but if you need to park a car it will be $15 (or $10 after 3pm).
The Broad Museum (Art) This is one of the hottest new contemporary art museums in LA. General admission is free, but there are special exhibits that are $12 for adults. That being said, it is so popular that it is recommended to reserve tickets in advance. You can also arrive on standby, but entrance is first come, first serve. Uber Pool: $2.85, 10-15 min [varies]
The Paley Center for Media (TV/Radio) General admission is free, but there is a suggested contribution of $8 (students) or $10 (adults). There is a museum, but there are also events throughout the year like screenings and discussions. Uber Pool: $15.45, 27-30 min [varies]
Natural History Museum (Natural Science, History) It’s located right across the street from USC - just cross Exposition and you should be there! If you have your USC student ID, you can get in for free. Enjoy!
Other
Olvera Street: Located in one of the oldest parts of LA, it is lively Mexican marketplace filled with history and culture. There are few ways you can get there: Metro Expo Line towards 7th Street/Metro Center Station, get off and catch the Purple Line towards Union Station/Downtown LA, and walk for about 7 min toward Paseo De La Plaza and you will soon arrive at Olvera Street. (30-40 min). Uber Pool: $3.37, 12-15 min [varies]
Koreatown: Take the Expo Line toward 7th St/Metro Center Station, get off and take the Purple Line toward Wilshire/Western Station. Get off at Wilshire/Normandie [30-40 min]. Uberpool: $7.20, 16-20 min [varies]
LA Live: Take the Metro Expo line (Jefferson/USC) toward 7th Street/Metro Center Station. Get off at Pico Station and walk for about 9 min (0.4 mi) and you’ll be at LA Live [10-20 min]. Uberpool: $1.75, 8-10 min [varies]
Hollywood (Walk of Fame): At Jefferson/USC take the Metro Expo Line toward 7th St/Metro Center Station, get off at 7th St/Metro Center and take the Metro Red Line towards N Hollywood Station. Get off at Hollywood/Highland and walk for about 6 minutes. [45 min-1 hr]. Uberpool: $3.32, 25-30 min [varies]. Other things you can do in Hollywood: visit Madame Tussauds Hollywood (wax figures), find your favorite stars’ handprints in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Universal Studios Hollywood
More places that may be of interest: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory
Want more structure to your trip?
USC Residential Education: They always have events going on both on campus and off campus. In fact, last Friday, they hosted an Intramural Beach Day and a USC Day at the LA County Fair. They also frequently host Night Hikes to Griffith Park. Stay updated on their Facebook page of all the new events they have!
Clubs & organizations: Many clubs and organizations organize trips to different locations around LA (and even out of town). Keep a look-out for these types of announcements and make sure to sign up for them, because they’re a great way to explore the city with a group of people.
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