Representing more than 140 nationalities and 200 languages among its residents, Los Angeles is one of the most complex and diverse cities in the world. Located three miles from downtown, 12 miles from the beach, and 60 miles from both deserts and snow-capped mountains, the University of Southern California offers students the opportunity to enjoy unmatched cultural richness, learning opportunities, and outdoor lifestyle.
For the present and future leaders who attend USC Price, the school’s location at the heart of L.A. also provides endless opportunities to learn from distinguished faculty, access one of the most extensive and influential professional networks in the world, and learn in the living classroom that is L.A.
What Does “Fight On!” Mean?
“Fight On” is the official fight song of the University of Southern California and battle cry for USC fans. It was composed in 1922 by USC dental student, Milo Sweet, for a student spirit competition. The song is played at all USC sports competitions, as well as many other USC related events, by the Spirit of Troy, the USC Marching Band.
During World War II, the song was used to inspire combat-bound troops in the Aleutians Campaign. According to legend, it was played off the deck of a transport carrying American soldiers onto the beach of a Japanese-held island; the troops let out a roar when they heard the song and eventually captured the island.
So what does the song sounds like? Listen to the Spirit of Troy Fight On! in the video below.
Explore Los Angeles
Where to Live
Transportation
As the media capital of the world, L.A. is home to renowned sports, music and theater venues, museums, and a thriving restaurant scene. A world-class public transit system allows students to easily explore the city’s many distinct neighborhoods and global flavor.
Los Angeles Landmarks
Olvera Street
Known as “the birthplace of Los Angeles,” this Mexican Marketplace recreates romantic “Old Los Angeles” with a block-long market with old structures, painted stalls, street vendors, cafes, restaurants and gift shops.
Griffith Observatory
Southern California’s gateway to the cosmos, where visitors can look through telescopes, explore exhibits, see live Planetarium shows and enjoy spectacular views of L.A. and the Hollywood Sign.
Santa Monica Pier
Home of the iconic Santa Monica Ferris wheel and roller coaster, concession stands, fishing areas and outdoor summer concerts.
Hollywood Sign
An American landmark and cultural icon overlooking Hollywood, situated on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills area of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Dodger Stadium
Home of Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers, located in the Elysian Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Venice Boardwalk
A world-famous, two-and-a-half-mile pedestrian promenade that features performers, fortune-tellers, artists and vendors.
Watts Towers
Photo Credit: Paul Narvaez via Flickr.
Seventeen sculptural towers, architectural structures and individual sculptural features located at the artist, Sabato Rodia’s, original residential property in Watts, Los Angeles.
Angels Flight
This 118-year-old funicular takes passengers on a short ride between Hill Street and Grand Avenue on Bunker Hill in downtown Los Angeles.
Arts and Culture
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
Pantages Theatre
One of the country’s most icon venues located on the famed corner of Hollywood & Vine.
Getty Center
One of the two locations of the Getty Museum featuring European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, decorative arts and photographs.
Hollywood Bowl
An amphitheater and live music venue situated in the Hollywood Hills against the backdrop of the Hollywood sign.
L.A. County Museum of Art
The largest art museum in the western United States, LACMA houses more than 150,000 works spanning the history of art from ancient times to the present.
Downtown L.A. Artwalk
A self-guided art experience of local galleries, artist studios, and cultural events in downtown Los Angeles.
First Fridays at Abbot Kinney
An art walk at Abbot Kinney, a mile of popular shops, restaurants, and galleries, inhabiting eclectic century-old bungalows and modern architectural buildings in the heart of Venice Beach.
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum protect and shares over 35 million specimens and artifacts and is the largest natural and cultural history collection in the western United States.
Parks and Recreation
Bicycling
Explore Los Angeles on your bike! Metro has a variety of options for cyclists that lets you combine your ride with Metro Rail and bus.
Griffith Park
With over 4,210 acres of both natural chapparal-covered terrain and landscaped parkland and picnic areas, Griffith Park is one of the largest municipal parks with urban wilderness areas in the United States.
Hiking
Get acquainted with Los Angeles’s numerous hiking trails and discover why L.A. is the ideal place to get outside. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
Runyon Canyon Park
Runyon Canyon Park is a 160-acre park with numerous hiking trails and occasional celebrity sightings.
Angeles National Forest
The Angeles National Forest si located in the San Gabriel Mountains and Sierra Pelona Mountains, and contains five nationally designated wilderness areas.