PARKING AND DIRECTIONS TO USC
Parking is free in all USC-owned structures (on both campuses) for guests attending Commencement-related activities on Thursday, May 14th. Please note: you must receive a parking permit from the parking attendant at the entrance booth, or your car will be ticketed.
On Friday, May 15, 2020, parking is free and a permit is not required. Overnight parking is not permitted.
Left turns into campus are not allowed on Commencement Day, you may only turn right into campus.
Transit and Parking: commencement.usc.edu/guests/transportation The main USC University Park Campus is located between Jefferson Boulevard (to the North), Vermont Avenue (to the West), Figueroa Street (to the East), and Exposition Boulevard (to the South). It is easily accessible by freeways and the Expo Line trains of LA Metro, with stops at Exposition Boulevard/ Vermont, Expo Park/USC, and Jefferson/USC.
By Car The nearest freeway access is via the 110 Harbor Freeway and the 10 Freeway. Comprehensive directions to the main entrance may be found on visit.usc.edu.
Parking Parking is extremely limited on campus on commencement day and, due to the large crowds, parking usually fills up by 7:00 a.m. USC Transportation will direct you to the next gate, or to the off-campus facilities if the structures are full.
Parking lots on campus fill up early. The parking structures closest to McCarthy Quad are noted below: • McCarthy Way Parking Structure, located at McCarthy Way on Figueroa Street. • Flower Street Parking Structure, located at Exposition Boulevard and Figueroa Street, with entrance from Flower Street. • Figueroa Street Parking Structure, located behind the Radisson Hotel with entrance from Flower Street. • Royal Street Parking Structure, located on Jefferson Boulevard at Royal Street.
If you arrive late and all on campus parking facilities are filled, the Grand Avenue Parking Structure, located on the east side of the 110 Freeway is recommended for guests who will arrive after the main ceremony begins at 8:30 AM. The Grand Avenue Parking Structure, just east of campus at the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Grand Avenue, has trams running back and forth to campus every 10 to 20 minutes. You can also park at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (free), accessible off of Exposition Boulevard.
See this map of all parking structures is available on the University website.
By Public Transportation The Metro Expo Line is the best option to avoid traffic and congestion, and highly recommended. It will be running on its usual schedule and stops immediately south of campus at Exposition Boulevard and Trousdale.
For public transportation to USC, LA Metro will be running trains all day for Commencement attendees to use. Fares are sold on TAP cards, so you’ll need to buy them at ticket vending machines or from a Metro representative. For more help with planning your trip to USC via Metro, use the handy LA Metro trip planner. Tip: Load your TAP card in advance to avoid waiting in line on the day of the event!
Union Station Trams ferry guests between Union Station (Patsaouras Transit Plaza, Berth/Station #4) and campus (Jefferson Boulevard at Hoover Street).
There are trams that travel between campus and other satellite locations, including the Grand Ave Parking Structure mentioned above. Please note there is no scheduled tram service from any hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Please visit the USC Transportation site for more info.