Since starting at USC, I’ve explored LA through every mode of transportation, from Amtrak, to rail, to Waymo!
During my first semester at USC, Amtrak was offering $20 round-trip tickets to and from any stop on the Pacific Surfliner, which stretches from San Diego all the way to San Luis Obispo. My friends and I took a day trip to Oceanside, a beach town right above San Diego. There, we found a café with banana-themed drinks — even the Americanos tasted like bananas! We walked around the beach, took photos on the pier, and visited some museums. It was a fun and cheap trip, and it actually sparked my interest in Transportation Engineering.
Oceanside, CA!
To get to the train station, and most places in LA, I have become a frequent user of the metro service. Thanks to USC’s free TAP card program, I’ve been able to take trips all over LA using the Metro rail and buses at no cost! My friends and I took a day trip to Santa Monica using the rail’s E-line during our freshman year, and it was much faster and cheaper than taking an Uber or driving.
I also often take the E-line to Little Tokyo for the revolving sushi bar Kura Sushi. For $3.50 per four rolls, it’s a steal when the dining hall disappoints. Also located in Little Tokyo is endless Shohei Ohtani memorabilia and the only other Café Dulce! Did you know that Dulce was founded by a USC alum, James Choi ‘05?
On days I want to stay close to USC, I often take a free Lyft (“Fryft”) to FIG’s Corner, which is only a few blocks from campus. You can find me there at least once a week getting Sichuan Mala hotpot or Popcorn Chicken!
But this semester, I’ve discovered the wonderful world of Waymos. My friends and I recently took a Waymo to Archives of Us in DTLA, which was a cute café with banana cream matcha. It was delicious, and the trip was cheaper than an Uber/Lyft! We also took a Waymo to Layla’s Bagels in Beverly Hills, which, frankly, are the best bagels I’ve had in my entire life. I’m still getting used to a driverless car, but I’m sure a few more matcha runs will shake my nerves.
Van Dyke Coffee in Koreatown!
There’s no shortage of things to do in LA and no shortage of ways to get there, either, thanks to USC’s free TAP and Fryft programs. No matter how I get around, exploring Los Angeles has made my time at USC even more unforgettable, and I can’t wait for my next adventure!
