Not Sure What to Do This Weekend? Here’s Your Perfect LA Weekend Itinerary

by Kathryn Aurelio ‘25

It’s the beginning of the middle of the semester where you’re caught in the cycle of counting down to Fridays only for Monday to curb stomp you two days later. If you find yourself living in your textbooks or simply needing more local getaway inspiration for relaxation, here’s your guide to a fun day in LA.

10:00 a.m.: Breakfast

Close to Campus: Bird’s Nest Cafe and, of course, Dulce! I recommend breakfast sandwiches from both and with a blended frappe or matcha, respectively, to drink. I’ve also heard great things about the new Moxie Coffee aka “Study Hall’s” new breakfast venture.

Off Campus: Take the speedy Metro E Line to DTLA’s Grand Central Market to try Eggslut’s many iterations of egg, cheese, bread, and protein. To venture past the USC bubble, try the iconic Met Her at a Bar (sibling to Met Him at a Bar) with fluffy and crispy Belgian waffles and an all-American sausage breakfast.

11:30 a.m.: Morning Activity

After nourishing yourself, embark on your first activity of the day! Of course, everyone has different interests, so here are my suggestions depending on what you’re looking for.

The Artsy

Let’s start off the day with a *free* museum trip! If you want to opt for something close to campus, check out the California Science Center, California African American Museum, or the Natural History Museum (free with USC ID).

A bit more of travel will bring you to The Broad, Hammer Museum, and MOCA Grand Avenue all free with reservation or the Getty Center which is free before 3pm.

The Outdoorsy & Sporty

Take a scenic hike to THE classic Hollywood Sign (Mount Lee) or catch a distant view of the sign as well as Catalina Island – and possibly celebrities walking their pups – with a stroll at Runyon Canyon. For a waterfall hike, whip out your swimsuits for a scenic trip to the Escondido Waterfall in Malibu (around 3.8 miles/2 hours).

The Foodies

Explore “the birthplace of Los Angeles” at Olvera Street, a long narrow brick-lined street illuminated by Mexican vendors. Try authentic recipes passed down from generations or the decadent caramel fudge from the candy stand. Collect some handcrafted goodies like pottery, leather accessories, and folk art while you’re there too!

2:00 pm: Late Lunch

Although I haven’t made it here myself, I’ve heard rave reviews for Los Angeles’ Sunday Smorgasborg open-air small business market. Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., take a quick 14 minute drive or metro ride to Row DTLA to experience LA through SoCal’s finest local delicacies.

If it’s not a Sunday, try some great eats from vendors at The Grove Farmers Market. Also, back at Grand Central Market, try the cheesy and affordable pupusas from Sarita’s Pupuseria featured in a La La Land montage!

4:00 p.m.: Evening Activity

Tired yet? If you’re not tempted by a mid-day nap, here are some evening activities.

The Artsy

Catch a play or concert. Check out Ticketmaster and venue websites such as The Pantages Theater (for musicals and plays in town), Walt Disney Concert Hall (hosting the L.A. Philharmonic), and concert venues such as the Wiltern, the El Rey, the Hollywood Bowl, the Fonda, the Greek, the Novo, or the Forum. By choosing one of the smaller venues in the city like the Roxy or the Troubadour generally means that tickets will be closer to $15-30 a piece than hundreds.

For the Outdoorsy

Similar to the arts, scout your local sporting venues for the games of the day! In the special case that it’s a USC game day, grab a last minute ticket from Slack channels, GroupMe, or from a friend of a friend and head to the Coliseum. Neighboring the cardinal and gold stadium is the BMO (Bank of America Stadium) to catch a LAFC game. Of course, if you ever have the chance to see the iconic Dodgers, take it! If you don’t find yourself a ticket, equally as memorable is a small walk to get to Angel’s Point in Elysian Park that overlooks the stadium and the city skyline that’s absolutley beautiful.

The Foodies

Explore one of L.A’s largest cultural enclaves, Little Tokyo in the Historic District of DTLA! This extremely walkable neighborhood lets you take in the beautiful ornate architecture, cute trinket stores, and, of course, an array of ramen and sushi options.

6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.: Dinner Time!

When the clock hits 6, take a free (shared) Lyft on USC’s dime to some Fryft zone favorites! Mine include Ebaes, Ono’s Hawaiian BBQ, Popeyes, and (the newly reopened) Chick Fil-A.
Farther from USC, try Koreatown’s “Meat Love” serving the most affordable good quality AYCE (all you can eat) Korean BBQ. You’ll enjoy a collection of meat options and sides of kimchi, glass noodles, fried chicken, corn cheese and more!

9:00 p.m.: Closing out your fun filled LA Day

Sadly, the day ends here. To finish off this mini vacation away from school stress, make your way to the Griffith Observatory for a breathtaking view of the city lights, tiny cars stuck in traffic, and a star-filled night sky. Inside the Observatory, catch a show at the Planetarium (also featured in La La Land).

Whether you follow this to create a packed day of add bits and pieces of it to your LA bucket list, there’s no shortage of ways to spend a day off in the city.

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