Life at the University of Southern California

As the second-largest city in America, Los Angeles is huge and just keeps on growing, so you can bet there’s always something for students to get into 24/7! From joining one of the hundreds of clubs like top-ranked Greek Life to grabbing a milkshake and enjoying a comedy show at Ground Zero, or sporting your cardinal and gold and cheering on the Trojans at a grueling USC football game, on campus alone, there are plenty of activities going on day and night.

Being located in the heart of Downtown LA, students have access to nearly everything they want at a moment's notice. Venture off-campus and go for a drive along Pacific Coast Highway to go surfing in Malibu, hike the trails at Griffith Observatory and Runyon Canyon, go to Long Beach and catch the boat to Catalina Island, take the campus shuttle to LA Live to see a concert or Lakers game at the Staples Center, shop and dine at The Grove, or spend a day at one of the many museums, like The Broad. Whatever you’re feeling, you can probably find it in LA!

Highlights Include:

Attend a USC Trojan football game
Visit the Griffith Observatory
Take the shuttle to LA Live
Spend a day at The Broad

Dining/Bars Near USC

Sick of the same old food and scene on campus? Head off-campus to grab a bite to eat and hang out with friends. LA has thousands of restaurants around the city but we went ahead and found a wide a variety of popular dining destinations for students within walking distance of campus or just a short commute away. When the weekend hits and you’re ready to let loose, head to one of these popular bars near campus!

Best Restaurants:

Chichen Itza
Jacks N Joe
Dirt Dog Inc
Mercado La Paloma
El Huero Drive Thru

Best Bars:

The Lab
901 Bar and Grill
Mal’s Bar
Bacari West Adams
Study Hall

Outdoors/Recreation

USC provides its students with numerous ways to stay active all year long! Right on campus, students have access to the recreation center. Here, students can take advantage of the workout facility, swimming pool, fitness studios with over 75 workout classes held weekly, the number of sports courts, and so much more!

Just south of the University Park Campus, is favored Exposition Park. Here students can visit the many museums on the grounds or enjoy a picnic in the serene Rose Garden. USC is located just minutes away from numerous sandy beaches, like Venice and Santa Monica and breathtaking mountains and trails, like favored Runyon Canyon. The Outdoor Adventure Rentals center on campus allows students to rent everything you need for a camping trip so consider spending a weekend with friends in one of the many campgrounds nearby!