USC is at the center of one of the most exciting urban environments of the 21st century. Los Angeles is ethnically diverse, culturally vibrant, and has a fantastic and varied climate that permits unparalleled year-round recreational opportunities. Local opportunities include skiing in the San Gabriel mountains, hiking and camping in the California desert or the Santa Monica Mountains, and swimming or surfing in the Pacific Ocean. Weekend trips from Los Angeles include some of the most awe-inspiring places on earth, including the Sierra Nevada mountains (with Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks), Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Parks, the Mojave Desert, and the Baja coast. A different kind of adventure entails the unique experience that is Las Vegas.
All aspects of high and popular culture are represented in Los Angeles; L.A. is an incredible center of outstanding and innovative film, music, theatre and dance. L.A. is also one of the most affordable and diverse cities in which to eat. From the fresh produce in numerous farmers’ markets to sidewalk stands that are L.A. institutions, you will find not just the best hamburgers and hot dogs, but also amazing sushi, burritos, dim sum, pho, kalbi and pupusas. Despite its reputation as a very large city, Los Angeles consists of a collection of many smaller neighborhoods. Find the right one for you and you will find a wonderful and friendly place in which to live.
Museums
LACMA, MOCA, The Broad, Getty, Getty Villa, Norton Simon, Neon, Museum of Jurassic Technology, Craft & Folk Art Museum, Hammer Museum, Huntington Library, La Brea Tar Pits (Page Museum), Japanese-American Cultural Center, Museum of Tolerance, California Science Center, Museum of National History, California of African American Museum, LA Arboretum
Music Venues:
Disney Hall, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Hollywood Bowl, McCabes, Jazz Bakery, Catalina’s Bar & Grill, the Wiltern, the Roxy, the Troubadour, El Rey Theater, Greek Theater, House of Blues
Theatre:
Mark Taper Forum, Kodak Theatre, Kirk Douglas Theater, Red Cat, Pantages, A Noise Within, the Alex, Theatricum Botanicum, the Groundlings, the Improv
Cinemas:
the Arclight, the Bridge, El Capitan, Silent Movie Theater, Cemetery Screenings, Orpheum, Mann’s Chinese Theater, Vista,
Sports:
Dodgers, Lakers, Clippers, Kings, Galaxy, Avengers, USC Trojans,Santa Anita Racetrack, Staples Center
National and State parks:
Griffith Park, Catalina Island, Santa Monica Mountains Topanga Canyon State Park, Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, Joshua Tree National Park (2 hours), Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park (5 hours), Death Valley National Park (5 hours), Yosemite (5-6 hours), the Grand Canyon (7-8 hours)
Skiing/snowboarding:
Mountain High (1-2 hours), Big Bear/Snow Summit (2-3 hours), Mammoth Mountain (5-6 hours)
Beaches:
Malibu, Santa Monica, Manhattan, Hermosa, Venice, Huntington, Laguna, San Onofre State Beach (USC’s Sea Grant program has a good guide to Los Angeles Beaches)
Weekend Trips:
San Diego, Mexico (Ensenda/Rosarita Beach), Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Santa Barbara, Wine Country in Santa Ynez valley, Hearst Castle
Zoos and Theme Parks:
Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm, LA Zoo, San Diego Zoo, Seaworld, Six Flags Great Adventure
Only in LA:
Studio Tours, Live Audience Tickets, the Grove, the Doo-Dah Parade, West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval, Olvera Street, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, 3rd Street Promenade, Rodeo Drive
Farmers Markets:
Santa Monica, Hollywood, Pasadena, Farmers’ Market at Fairfax and Third