AsWelcome! seen through movies, television, news, and radio, Los Angeles is a trend setting and progressive, global, urban metropolis with rich cultural roots and a dynamic history. It is a business, entertainment, and trade hub with renowned museums, attractions, and 75 miles of sunny coastline. It is also extremely diverse with more than 200 languages spoken and dotted with rich vibrant neighborhoods from Little Tokyo to Little Armenia. By virtue of its convenient location, many USC students have a front row seat to enriching experiences in Los Angeles.
The University Park Campus is directly across the street from the Natural History and California African American Museums as well as the California Science Center and LA Memorial Coliseum. A couple of miles from campus is Downtown Los Angeles, a home to historic landmarks, innovative museums, and entertainment venues like Grand Park, The Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels, Broad Museum, Disney Concert Hall, Staples Center, and LA LIVE. Students will also find that exciting nightlife, dining, and sports events are only a short drive away. Finally, for those venturing outdoors, Los Angeles has a beautiful and diverse landscape with numerous hikes through mountains, deserts, and beaches merely an hour’s drive from USC. There is always an abundance of things to learn, see, and do in Los Angeles. International Students Office of International Services (OIS) The Office of International Services (OIS) serves the needs of international students and visiting scholars through a variety of advising services, programs, and information resources. Staff are available to assist international students with issues related to immigration regulations, personal and academic concerns, employment in the U.S., adjusting to life in the U.S., and more. OIS also provides additional information about temporary housing and locating a rental apartment or house near USC or elsewhere in the Los Angeles area. For more information, please contact the Office of International Services at ois.usc.edu or (213) 740-2666. 1 Housing On Campus Off Campus The university offers a variety of housing options, Although USC offers graduate housing, most on and off campus. While most on-campus students tend to live off-campus in rented housing is reserved for incoming freshmen, apartments or houses. There are many private there are facilities available for undergraduate apartment buildings and houses within walking and graduate students depending on availability. distance of the University. In addition, there are Accommodations include apartments, residence many suitable neighborhoods within a 20-30 halls and suites in a variety of locations and sizes. minute commute (see page 3 for map of L.A. Amenities include laundry facilities, furnishings, Neighborhoods). cable, internet and phone, and a computerized Most landlords will require a security deposit and entry monitoring system. All housing is within some require long-term leases before they will walking distance of main campus. rent. One option to bypass the apartment search In order to live in on-campus housing, you is to take over the apartment of a student who is should submit your request promptly. Housing graduating. is processed on a first-come, first-serve basis, Those considering living farther from campus and rooms fill quickly. The University does not will have many more choices. You may choose guarantee availability of on-campus housing. to drive to campus or take public transportation. Please visit the USC Housing office website at The Metro Expo line runs along Exposition Blvd, housing.usc.edu for further information. with three stops around the USC campus. Near Campus Below are property management companies with housing options around the UPC Campus: For the official Off-Campus Housing Listings website visit: http://usc.offcampuslisting.com/ Autumn Leaf Apartments: www.uscapartmentrentals.com CDI Management: www.uscspots.com City Park Apartments: www.cityparkusc.com First Choice Housing: www.firstchoicehousing.com GF Property Group: www.gfpropertygroup.net Malin Assess Management: www.malinapts.com Nupac Apartments: www.nupac.com R.W. Selby & Co.: www.tuscanyonfig.com Stuho Student Housing Management: www.stuho.com University Gateway: www.livegw.com 2 San Fernando Valley B A C K Antelope Valley West E D F Metro L G San Gabriel South H South Bay L.A. Neighborhoods I J N A. Arcadia/Pasadena/Glendale G. Marina del Rey/El Segundo/Westchester Home to many malls and parks, this is a great area for This area is minutes from the beach. It is often crowded on families with children. Arcadia is a 40-70 minute commute weekends. It is close to the LAX airport. This area is located to USC and a 30-60 minute commute to Pasadena and 16 miles from USC and is a 30-40 minute commute. Glendale. Metro: Gold Line H. Torrance/Redondo Beach/Manhattan Beach B. San Fernando Valley These communities are also near beaches and offer lots of The San Fernando Valley offers an incredible array of fine shopping. This area also has houses that are as affordable dining, shopping, and attractions. Located 20-30 miles north as apartments to rent. Metro: Silver Line of USC, many students find the San Fernando Valley to be an escape from the major metropolitan area. Metro: Orange I. San Pedro/Palos Verdes/Rolling Hills Line Located 20-25 miles away, this area offers condos, apartments, and houses available for rent or lease. C. Echo Park/Silver Lake/Los Feliz Conveniently located less than 10 miles from USC, this J. Long Beach area is home to many attractions, including Griffith Park and Located 25 miles from USC, Long Beach is home to many Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo, and Dodger Stadium. attractions, shopping, and an active night life. Metro: Blue Metro: Red Line Line
D. Downtown Los Angeles K. East Los Angeles/Alhambra/Monterey Park Downtown Los Angeles living offers easy access, with Located minutes away from USC Health Science Campus, freeway and transportation hubs. Downtown LA offers a East LA is one of Los Angeles’s oldest communities. Alhambra great deal for those who like to keep busy, including LA features converging cultures and artistic expression. LIVE. Within downtown there are several neighborhoods Monterey Park has a significant Asian community. Metro: and districts, each of which has its own style and excels in Gold Line its own specialty. Metro: Expo, Blue, Red, Purple, and Gold Lines L. University Park University Park refers to the main USC campus as well as E. Koreatown/Mid-Wilshire/West Hollywood the neighborhoods immediately surrounding the University. This area is along the Wilshire Blvd. corridor as you head Metro: Expo Line towards West Los Angeles. Each community has nice areas and cultural characteristics worth seeking out. Metro: Purple and Red Lines
F. West LA/Culver City/Palms/Venice/Santa Monica Located less than 15 miles from USC and a 20-40 minute commute, this area has many apartment buildings, some of which are reasonably priced. Prices may increase as you get closer to the beaches. Metro: Expo Line 3 Transportation Getting around LA is easy without a car. Los Angeles is home to one of the country’s best public transportation networks, including subways, light-rail, buses, and shuttles to nearly every corner of the Greater Los Angeles area.
USC Transportation USC Transportation offers daily and meter parking, as well as monthly and semester-long permits. Also, free tram and campus cruiser services around the University Park Campus area, to and from LA Union Station and the Health Sciences Campus are provided. USC Campus Cruiser Service offers either a walking or vehicle escort to your destination, on or around University Park Campus or Health Sciences Campus. For more information, visit: transnet.usc.edu
• Many students ride bicycles on and around campus. Consult USC Department of Public Safety (DPS) for information about semester bicycle sale, bicycle registration, and safety at: dps.usc.edu
• USC is a Metro corporate partner. The USC Graduate Student Government administers a Graduate Metro TAP card program specifically for graduate students.
Metro Buses, Subways, and Trains Metro Buses/Trains and Trip-Planner: www.metro.net Commuter Express and Dash Bus Lines: www.ladottransit.com Metrolink Trains: www.metrolinktrains.com Metro Expo Line: www.metro.net/projects/expo-santa-monica *Students are eligible for a discount on public transit passes.
Other Transportation-Related Websites California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): www.dmv.ca.gov Access Para-transit: www.accessla.org Super Shuttle: www.supershuttle.com
Driving in Los Angeles Visitors to California who are over the age of 18 and have a valid driver’s license from their home country may drive in California without getting a California driver’s license, as long as their home country license remains valid. When purchasing a motor vehicle and auto insurance, most insurance companies require a valid California driver’s license.
The DMV office located closest to the USC main campus: 3615 S. Hope St. Los Angeles, CA 90007 4 Los Angeles Metro Map Popular destinations and directions from USC Grand Central Market: Universal Studios: 1. Take Expo Line to 7th St./Metro Station 1. Take Expo Line to 7th St./Metro Station 2. Take Purple or Red Line to Pershing Square 2. Take Red Line to Universal City/Studio City Station Station
The Broad Museum: Hollywood: 1. Take Expo Line to 7th St./ Metro Station 1. Take Expo Line to 7th St./Metro Station 2. Take Purple or Red Line to Grand Park/Civic 2. Take Red Line to Hollywood/Highland Station Center Station Downtown Arts District: Staples Center/LA Live: 1. Take Expo Line to 7th St./Metro Station 1. Take Expo Line to Pico Station 2. Take Red or Purple Line to Union Station 3. Take Gold Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station Third Street Promenade 1. Take Expo Line to Downtown Santa Monica 5 Popular Attractions Attractions Los Angeles Clippers Basketball The Broad Museum www.nba.com/clippers www.thebroad.org Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) dodgers.mlb.com www.lacma.org Los Angeles Football Club Universal Studios www.lafc.com/ www.universalstudioshollywood.com Los Angeles Galaxy Soccer www.lagalaxy.com Entertainment Downtown LA Art Walk Los Angeles Lakers Basketball www.downtownartwalk.org www.nba.com/lakers Los Angeles Kings Hockey Greek Theatre www.lakings.com www.greektheatrela.com Los Angeles Rams Football Hollywood Bowl www.therams.com www.hollywoodbowl.com Los Angeles Sparks Women’s LA Live Basketball www.wnba.com/sparks • The Novo • Lucky Strike Beaches Malibu Beach • Regal Cinema Stadium 23050 Pacific Coast Hwy. Malibu, Pantages Theater CA 90265 www.hollywoodpantages.com Hermosa Beach Pier Walt Disney Concert Hall 1 Pier Ave www.laphil.com Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 The Wiltern Santa Monica Pier www.wiltern.com 200 Santa Monica Pier Santa Monica, CA 90401 Sports Venice Beach Chivas USA 1800 Ocean Front Walk www.cdchivasusa.com Venice, CA 90291 6