Places to Visit

Hollywood Boulevard

Home to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Dolby Theatre, Hollywood Wax Museum, and other cinematic attractions, Hollywood Boulevard is a classic place to experience Los Angeles' entertainment legacy.

• Address: 6815 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
• Approximate travel time from USC: 30–40 minutes by car; about 40 minutes via Metro (E Line to 7th Street/Metro Center, transfer to B Line to Hollywood/Highland).

Downtown Los Angeles

From icons like the Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Broad to Crypto.com Arena (Lakers' arena), Downtown LA showcases the city's history, arts, and sports culture.

• Key attractions and addresses:
  • Walt Disney Concert Hall: 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
  • The Broad: 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
  • Crypto.com Arena: 1111 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
  • Angels Flight Railway: 351 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
  • The Bloc (Shopping Center): 700 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017
• Approximate travel time from USC: short drive or quick Metro E Line ride from Expo Park/USC or Jefferson/USC, with most attractions walkable from stations between Pico and Little Tokyo/Arts District.

Santa Monica Pier & Beach

Waves, surfing, sunbathing, arcades, rides, and fair food make Santa Monica a popular day-trip destination.

• Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
• Approximate travel time from USC: 20–60 minutes by car depending on traffic; about 40 minutes on the Metro E Line from Expo Park/USC to Downtown Santa Monica.
• Venice Beach: roughly a 40-minute walk south along the beach from Santa Monica.

Exposition Park

Just steps off of the USC Campus, Exposition Park is a core LA attraction featuring multiple museums and stadiums, all centered around the Expo Park Rose Garden.

• Key attractions and addresses:
  • Natural History Museum: 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007

    The Natural History Museum is offering free general admission for participating middle and high school students, along with a $5 discount for accompanying adults and family members on May 20, 21, and 24.

    Tickets must be purchased at any of the Natural History Museum ticket counters on the day of the visit and are not available online. The discount does not apply to separately ticketed experiences such as the Butterfly Pavilion, films, or the Orcas exhibition, which can also be purchased at the ticket counter upon arrival. Guests simply need to inform the ticket attendant that they are with the National Science Olympiad to have the discount applied. Free and discounted admission is limited to 500 tickets per day.

  • California Science Center: 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037

    The California Science Center is offering free general admission to all visiting Science Olympiad teams! Reservations are highly recommended and can be made through their website.

  • California African American Museum: 600 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037
• Approximate travel time from USC: 5 minute walk

Note: Amusement parks are typically more expensive and time-consuming than the other sightseeing options and often require travel by car or charter bus.

Disneyland (Most Popular)

Experience classic attractions and franchises from Toy Story and Cinderella to Star Wars across Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.

• Address: 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
• Approximate travel time from USC: around 1 hour by car with traffic.
• One-day ticket (typical range, subject to change): around $164 per person (ages 10+) for one park; an additional $65–75 for a park hopper ticket.
• Group discount (subject to change): performance workshops around $27 per person can reduce ticket price to approximately $148 per person, with one free chaperone ticket per group of ten; the workshop must be attended.
• More information: ticket options and programs are available via Disney's official education/performance group site and the main Disneyland website.

Universal Studios Hollywood (Closest to USC)

Universal Studios features attractions such as Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic-themed rides, and studio-themed experiences.

• Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
• Approximate travel time from USC: 20–30 minutes by car; about 1 hour via Metro (E Line from Expo Park/USC to 7th Street/Metro Center, transfer to B Line to Universal/Studio City).
• One-day Sunday ticket with Science Olympiad discount: $122. Tickets are valid only on Sunday, May 24, 2026. Must purchase through this link, and some options are only available for purchase until May 15, 2026.
• One-day ticket (typical range, subject to change): approximately $124–134 per person.
• Group tickets: discounted group rates and options are available through Universal's group ticket request process.

Knott's Berry Farm (Lowest Cost)

Knott's Berry Farm is a Southern California favorite with roller coasters, water rides, and classic fair-style food.

• Address: 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
• Approximate travel time from USC: around 40 minutes by car.
• One-day ticket (typical range, subject to change): around $62 per person.
• Group discount (subject to change): can drop to about $48 per person when purchasing 15 or more tickets and may include one free chaperone ticket per 15 tickets ordered.