Los Angeles Fun & Adventure Guide 07: A Tour of Picture-Perfect Campuses

The universities in Los Angeles embody the city's vibrancy and variety. Many famous movie scenes that take place at Harvard University were shot at UCLA. Plus, one of the best university campuses in the USA is located right by the beach in Malibu. Come explore some of the best universities in Los Angeles, and experience a unique side of the city. The University of Southern California (USC) is a campus built for filming and walking. Wouldn't it be interesting to study at a university that looks like a castle? Wouldn't it also be interesting to study at a school that was endorsed by Kobe Bryant's daughter? These experiences are possible at USC, and as a bonus, the campus of USC is one of the best in LA for taking long, leisurely strolls. Image courtesy of the official website. The USC Cinematic Arts and Journalism schools are ranked among the best in the country. Along with its expansive network of successful alumni, which includes George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, the astronaut Neil Armstrong, and Andrew Viterbi, the founder of Qualcomm, USC has also produced over 150 Olympic gold medal winners. Image courtesy of the official website. USC has two campuses in Los Angeles, University Park Campus, which is home to Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, the graduate schools, and a large number of the departmental academic units. The Health Sciences Campus contains the medical and pharmacy schools and has affiliated teaching hospitals. Most people go to the University Park Campus, which has a beautiful environment throughout the seasons. It has red-brick buildings, park-like lawns, fountains, and sculptures. The campus is designed to be grand and visually appealing. Several open-to-the-public museums, libraries, and performance spaces are additional attractions. The oldest of the buildings is the Widney Alumni House, which USC built in 1880. The Doheny Memorial Library, which is a popular filming location, is also there alongside Mudd Hall, which is known for having a prominent tower and elegant colonnades. Finally, there is USC Village, where you can shop and eat to take a break from sightseeing. You can self-guide your campus tour. Download the USC Self-Guided Tour Guide and the Art and Architecture Guide from the official website to have a suggested path to follow along with descriptions of important sites. As an option, for a more personalized experience to USC, you can book an official campus tour that offers a student guide.

▶ Useful Tips

Address: Los Angeles CA 90007

How to get there: Access is provided by Metro J Line (Silver) 910 and E Line (Expo) services.

Website: https://visit.usc.edu/

Location: For a day of sightseeing, Exposition Park and several museums, which are located next to USC

University of Southern California

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): A Romantic Campus of Classical Character

With old red-brick walls, majestic buildings, and gathering spots on the lawn, along with students running under the leafy treed: UCLA has an almost unique ability to evoke youthful memories. Its atmosphere is inviting, open, and relaxed.

Established in 1919, the University of California, Los Angeles, or UCLA, is a prominent public university and an important center for the training of specialists in business, finance, technology, and film arts. Like USC, it has also featured in movies and series.

Image sourced to official website

UCLA is located on a hillside which enhances its dramatic appearance. Its architecture depicts the style of a European Renaissance palace, constructed with red Italian bricks imported during the Lombard Renaissance period. The university's most important building, Royce Hall, hosts the major events as well as commencement ceremonies. It also stands opposite Powell Library which is part of the library system that has more than 8 million volumes. Both of these historical buildings are about 100 years old.

In addition to the historical buildings, there is a botanical garden, a sculpture garden, an inward-spraying fountain, and the beloved Bruin Bear sculpture, which should not be missed when taking a photo. Maybe buy a UCLA hoodie from the campus store? Or, maybe dine at the university dining halls? These dining halls are rated highly by both students and visitors.

UCLA has many themed campus tours where current students guide you through the campus and show you historic buildings while sharing some of the obscure stories about the campus. Those who prefer to go individually can access the UCLA self-guided tour guide from the official page. There is also a virtual tour on the same page, which includes areas that are usually not open to the public.

▶ Useful Info

Location: Los Angeles CA 90095

How to get there: The Campus is located on BruinBus routes 1, 2, 8, 12, 17 and 18, as well as Line 6.

Website: https://admission.ucla.edu/visit

UCLA is located on the way to Santa Monica Beach, so you can visit the beach in the same trip.

University of California, Los Angeles

UCLA is one of the most prestigious universities in the world and has been open to the public since 1919. This means that guests can freely roam through the campus as they please. Feel the ambiance of a top-tier university. As you go through the various colleges, you’ll notice many students sitting on the grass. During your visit, you’ll also notice the beautiful and thriving gardens. As for the old Royce Hall, it has been around since the university was first opened and holds a lot of impressive history. This university has beautiful grounds where students can relax and enjoy the California sun. To appreciate UCLA’s distinctive campus atmosphere, visitors can explore the libraries and academic buildings.
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Los Angeles (FIDM): A Stylish Campus Powered by Creativity
How does it feel to tour a campus that feels like a fashion show?

This chic school in Downtown Los Angeles gives you the answer.
Established in 1969, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, or FIDM, is the first ever fashion design college in the western United States. It is a training ground for aspiring designers, showcasing the very core of the fashion industry’s creativity.
A stroll around FIDM will show you a lot of creative personal style. The main building is very pretty and has some student designed display windows, while the library contains old copies of Vogue from the 1930s, along with a lot of other fashion periodicals.
The FIDM Museum is particularly interesting to film enthusiasts. Along with traditional Hollywood costumes, it has fashion exhibits that change regularly, including a costume exhibition from the films of the current year. The campus on Saturdays is accessible to the public and guided tours can be booked via the official website.

▶ Useful information

Address: 919 S Grand Ave Los Angeles CA 90015

How to get there: Metro D Line (Purple Line).

School website: https://fidm.edu/

FIDM Museum website: https://fidmmuseum.org/

FIDM Museum hours: 10:00–17:00; closed Sunday and Monday

FIDM is located near the Crypto.com Arena, home of the Los Angeles Lakers. This makes it convenient to visit the three places.

Pepperdine University (PPD): A Beautiful Campus Nestled Between Hills and the Sea How pretty can a university campus get? Head to this Malibu school perched on top of the Pacific Ocean and get a convincing answer.

Image courtesy of the official website

Founded in 1937 by businessman George Pepperdine, Pepperdine University, or PPD, is a leading private research university in California with Christian roots. Its law and business schools are held in high regard across the country. The Malibu campus is situated between the hills and the sea and has been named one of “America’s Most Beautiful Campuses” by The Princeton Review.

Image courtesy of the official website

Here, California sunshine and expansive ocean views are a part of everyday campus experience. When the sun sets and paints the sky pink, the entire scene becomes especially unforgettable. The campus also boasts many beautiful buildings and spaces, including the tropical-themed Mullin Town Square, the small and cozy Stauffer Chapel, and the artsy Smothers Theatre. The student residences with the red rooftops and spectacular views of the ocean are probably the most attractive of the features.

Image from the official website

PPD allows you to book guided tours of the campus, and a virtual tour is available on the official website.

▶ Useful Information

Location: 24255 E Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu CA 90263

How to get there: Go to Santa Monica Beach and then take a taxi or Metro 534.

Website: https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/

Attractions: The road to PPD goes by the Getty Villa and Malibu beaches, which can be visited on the same day.