What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Los Angeles? The Hollywood sign? Palm trees? Taco trucks? Indeed, the city is known for these attractions, but it has so much more to offer.
To all Trojans spending the rest of their summers in Los Angeles and don’t know where to start, we got you. We rounded up ten fun things to do in and around Los Angeles, recommended by our international student community.
Explore the city and feel its vibe with the OIS Summer Guide!
1. Catch a movie at Cinespia outdoor movie screenings
View this post on Instagram
M.S Marketing student, Devanshi Punch suggests watching a movie at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Organized by Cinespia, there are screenings almost every Friday and Saturday where you can watch iconic films on a big screen outdoors. Don’t forget to bring your blankets and snacks, and make sure to get your tickets ahead of time!
2. Spend a day at Palos Verdes
View this post on Instagram
Rancho Palos Verdes is a coastal city perfect for nature-lovers. It is around 40 minutes away from the USC campus, but the commute is so worth it. Electrical Engineering PhD student Mustafa Abou El Kassem enjoyed the sunny weather at the beach in the area, as well as going on a hike. There are plenty of hiking trails with great views to check out, suitable for all levels.
3. Pedal through Echo Park in swan boats
View this post on Instagram
Computer Science M.S student Saurav Borse recommends exploring the Echo Park neighborhood by renting a swan-shaped watercraft and pedaling across the lake with your friends. It’s a fun way to enjoy the outdoors – and probably squeeze a workout in.
4. Slurp on some ramen at Silverlake Ramen
View this post on Instagram
To all the foodies out there, we didn’t forget about you. Silverlake Ramen is a must-try restaurant according to Shree Shanmukhaa Gorla, Applied Data Science M.S student. The ramen is delicious, and the appetizers just make the experience that much better. Heads up: this ramen spot is so popular, you might need to wait in line.
5. Relax on Santa Catalina Island
View this post on Instagram
If you want to spend a day away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland, international student Yuan Zhang recommends going to Santa Catalina island. This place is famous for its wildlife, scuba diving, charming coastal towns, and Mt. Orizaba, its highest peak. The fastest way to get to the island is through a ferry departing from Long Beach harbor. It goes there and back every 2 hours.
6. Enjoy the views from Tuna Canyon Park
View this post on Instagram
One of USC student Tony Li’s favorite places in L.A. is the Tuna Canyon Trail. It’s a 5.9-mile loop trail near Sun Valley, which is very popular for hiking, mountain biking, and jogging. The route has plenty of excellent photo spots with fantastic views.
7. Dive into the world of art in LACMA
View this post on Instagram
Apart from fantastic nature locations, Los Angeles also contains a lot of cultural places. Quinny Jiang’s recommends the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), considered the largest art museum in the western United States. The museum embraces 147,000 objects, including a world-known painting by Andy Warhol, “Campbell’s Soup Cans.”
8. Make some memories around a bonfire in Dockweiler State Beach
View this post on Instagram
Los Angeles has a lot of beautiful beaches, and Computer Science M.S student Astha Mishra’s favorite one is Dockweiler beach, where they like spending time with friends around the bonfire. There are about 40 fire pits on the beach, and they are all available on a first-come first-served basis. So, no reservation is needed!
9. Get an adrenaline rush at Six Flags
View this post on Instagram
Electrical engineering student Ritu Raj seems to be a risk taker since they recommend visiting Six Flags theme park. The park has over 100 rides, from thrilling coasters to kids’ carousels. Therefore, everyone may find something to their liking.
View this post on Instagram
To all shopaholics and fashion lovers, Public Relations and Advertising M.A alumni Melissa Mancini, suggests visiting The Grove – a favorite shopping place of celebrities. Angelina Jolie, Gigi Hadid, Selena Gomez, and even Kim Kardashian were spotted making their purchases there. So, if you want to look like a star, it’s a place for you.
Written by: Tamara Amhaz, OIS Communications Editor, Master of Communication Management, USC Annenberg 2022 and Yana Borodyuk, OIS Communications Editor, Master of Arts – Public Relations and Advertising, USC Annenberg 2023