“The Heart of Screenland” is just a Metro ride away from campus and one of the best places to explore Los Angeles beyond USC. Hop on the E Line at Expo Park/USC, and you can step off at Culver City’s Ivy Station less than 20 minutes later. If you’re driving, you don’t even have to touch the freeway: Jefferson Boulevard will take you almost the entire way from campus to this surprisingly walkable pocket of Los Angeles.
Can you tell it’s one of my favorite places on Earth?
So, why is Culver City called “The Heart of Screenland”? Start with the Culver Studios, located right in downtown Culver City. The studio was built by silent-film pioneer Thomas Ince in 1918 and has hosted productions ranging from A Few Good Men and The Matrix to far more important production such as The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion. You can enjoy a delicious hand roll at Yunomi Handroll while looking straight at the studio’s iconic entrance just yards away.
A little farther down the street, you can’t miss the massive Sony Pictures Studios lot. The property became the home of MGM in 1924 and remains one of Culver City’s most recognizable landmarks. The movie and television posters displayed around the lot are constantly changing, offering a reminder of how much of our media is created in this small city. Many USC students find internships and post-graduation opportunities nearby, so you may find yourself returning sooner than you think.
You also wouldn’t be wrong to call Culver City the Land of Oz. The Wizard of Oz, released in 1939, was filmed on the former MGM lot, today’s Sony Pictures Studios. But my favorite piece of local lore is tied to the Culver Hotel. Nearly all 124 actors who played the Munchkins reportedly stayed there during filming, and legend has it that they threw some of the wildest parties the hotel has ever seen. The more dramatic versions of those stories have been disputed, but the legend remains part of Culver City history. Today, the hotel is known for a different kind of gathering: one of the best afternoon tea setups I’ve ever seen.
Culver City also has an impressive dining scene, from Michelin-starred Vespertine to longtime local favorites like Dear John’s and Tito’s Tacos. Bacari, founded by USC alumni, recently opened a location in downtown Culver City directly across from Laurel Grill, which, yes, is where Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie worked as a server just a few years ago. Culver City still has that star power.
When the line at Dulce in the Village is a little too long, take your chances: hop on the E Line and head to Culver City. You can make a custom candle and grab coffee at Super Domestic, or catch a comedy show at Village Well, one of the best independent bookstores in the area. Of course, it has coffee, too.
And if you love your friend despite the fact that they’re a matcha person and you’re firmly committed to coffee, Culver City can save the friendship. Philz is right across the street from Maruwu Seicha, an authentic Japanese matcha shop that sources its tea directly from farms in Japan. Basically, you’ll never go thirsty, or uncaffeinated, in Culver City.
Once you have your drink in hand, you can browse the boutique shops and restaurants at the Platform or challenge yourself to the Culver City Stairs, an intense workout with a very rewarding view. Either way, this is a part of Los Angeles worth exploring.
I encourage you to visit Culver City the next time you’re at USC, and especially if you already live in Los Angeles but haven’t made it to this side of town yet.
Written by: Allegra Gutierrez, Assistant Director – USC Office of Undergraduate Admission