A College Kid’s Guide to Los Angeles
Hi! My name is Olivia, and I’m a junior at the University of Southern California. I’m a pre-med student planning on going to medical school—so apologies for the poor writing skills—but I love sharing my experience at USC. Moving to Los Angeles was the best decision I’ve ever made, and I hope to influence more students to choose USC.
A Word on USC: To be honest, I never expected myself to end up in Los Angeles. I’ve always considered myself an introvert and a bit of a homebody. However, during the college process, I decided to take a leap of faith and commit to USC. My parents reassured me that this would be the only time in my life I could move across the country and explore with no consequences. So, off I went. Don’t get me wrong—I did not go easy. There were plenty of tears shed on the way to freshman move-in day.
Moving across the country from the Midwest to Los Angeles was daunting. I was intimidated by the thought of going to school with the “Beverly Hills rich kids” and “hipster stoners” for the next four years. However, my past three years at USC have been an incredible adventure filled with wonderful people, beach days, and fantastic food. LA is the kind of city you could live in for ten years and still discover new spots every day. I am constantly finding an exciting new restaurant, beach, or hike to experience next. The city is the perfect mixture of sunshine, nature, and city life. What more could a college kid want?!
As someone who was hesitant about USC, I cannot imagine myself anywhere else today. Los Angeles has welcomed me in and created such a unique home. USC students have a work hard play hard mindset; we are intelligent and motivated, yet we definitely know how to have a good time. I am fortunate to have spent my college experience in such a wonderful city; I have compiled a list of my favorite things to do and see for any college student living (or visiting) LA.
My advice to a freshman would be: don’t close doors. Go to every club meeting, every social gathering, and don’t miss out on a game day. USC is big but will eventually feel small. It took me a while to find my people. The more you do, the more you’ll get out of your USC experience, and I promise it has a lot to offer.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. My email is ofinks@usc.edu.
Where to Eat: To preface, I have never been to a city with this serious of a food scene. Los Angeles has an endless list of restaurants and bars to try, and the ambiance of many restaurants here are enough to make you feel celebrity status. For first-timers, I recommend:
Sugar fish: Sugar Fish is a life-changing experience. Coming from Illinois, I was definitely not a sushi girl. But oh my… Sugar Fish is the real deal. It’s a super simplistic place—very classy, just fish and rice kind of thing. Get the Trust Me and ask for an extra lobster hand roll if you want to be blown away.
Kazu Nori: Sugar Fish’s more casual cousin. Kazu honestly might be my favorite spot in LA. It’s a hand roll-only sushi spot, but don’t be fooled; they’re something special. The yellowtail and lobster handrolls are a MUST. Not to mention, Kazu is pretty affordable for the exceptional quality sushi that it has to offer.
Jon and Vinny’s: A trendy Italian place on Fairfax that is a must-try for all first-timers. Jon and Vinny’s is Hailey Bieber’s favorite spot for spicy fusilli, delicious pizza, and fantastic cheesecake. Their pasta is absolutely addictive and worth the hype.
L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michelle: One of the coolest spots I’ve been to in LA. The space is beautiful, super contemporary, and perfect for a date or girl’s night out. Try the margarita pizza and the short rib pasta for sure.
Gjusta: The best artisanal bakery around. They have freshly baked bread, pastries, and delicious lunch items. It’s a super fun vibe and a great potential celebrity sighting spot.
Erewhon Market: An absolute LA staple. You’ll feel like a Beverly Hills housewife entering this trendy grocery store, but the food is unreal. Their buffalo cauliflower and sweet potatoes are the perfect ends to a hike at Runyon Canyon or a cleansing lunch LA style.
Bacari: The classic USC spot for a Thursday or Friday night (other than the 90, aka 901 Bar and Grill). They have bottomless sangria and drinks for super low prices, which always guarantees a good time. Other than a fun, social night, they offer great tapas-style food. Try the Bacari fries with a fried egg on top and the mac and cheese.
Yeastie Boys: It’s common knowledge that the West Coast isn’t known for its bagels… but Yeastie Boys bagel truck comes pretty close to the best. They have fantastic hangover bagel sandwiches and tons of cream cheese options. The truck rotates around different coffee shops, so be sure to keep up with their Instagram story updates for details.
Elephanté: If you want a trendy spot, Elephanté is your place. It has super cool beach house décor with a fantastic ocean view. The hummus, pizzas, and pasta are delicious, and they have some great cocktails.
Salt n Straw: The best ice cream I’ve ever had. Salt n Straw is a West Coast-based ice cream shop that uses super high-quality ingredients and always has unique, fun flavors. Try the Honey Lavender and Salted Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
What to Do: As you’ve probably heard, it is sunny almost every day in LA. Rain is rare and cold weather is rarer. So, given our 365-day summer, USC students have the perfect opportunity to get outdoors every weekend.
Picnic at Pacific Palisades Park: A beautiful cliff spot overlooking the Malibu beach. My roommate and I picked up some Thai food and watched the sunset one weekend; it was honestly the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
Beach day at Manhattan Pier: Manhattan Beach has become my favorite beach in the Los Angeles area, mainly because of the cute neighborhood, and it’s less crowded. They have great restaurants, shopping, and views in the surrounding areas. It’s also a great place to surf!
Griffith Park Hike: The classic “Hollywood Sign” hike spot. Griffith is a nice, relatively easy hike with some great views of the city. If you want to make a day out of it, bring some snacks and picnic at the Griffith Observatory.
Where to Shop: From Rodeo Drive to Abbot Kinney, Los Angeles has some of the best shopping in the world.
Abbot Kinney: One of the best blocks in LA, full of trendy shops, great restaurants, and exciting energy. Even just walking through and window shopping is a perfect activity for any day.
The Grove: This outdoor mall is designed like a resort, with beautiful fountains, layout, and restaurants. You can hit the classic shops such as Brandy Melville, Zara, Nordstrom, etc.
Melrose Trading Post: Melrose is a must-see in LA. The area is known for its thrifting, whether you are looking for inexpensive to high-end pieces. People watching at Melrose Trading Post is always fun, and the area has a lot of character.
The Broad: The best contemporary art museum in LA, especially for younger people or those who don’t love the usual museum scene. They have really cool exhibits and a great setup.
