In Our Own Backyard
Welcome to the neighborhood! We are Jonna and Jen, Admission Counselors at USC and lifelong LA residents. We are excited to tell you more about our community! While there are many neighborhoods that surround the University of Southern California (USC) campus, we wanted to highlight a few that are closest to campus and near and dear to our hearts as members of the community. So, let’s explore South Los Angeles, Exposition Park, Downtown Los Angeles, and West Adams!
South Los Angeles
While USC is located just a few miles south of Downtown Los Angeles, it also borders South Los Angeles. The first half of the 20th century saw an increase in the number of African American/Black people in Los Angeles, in part due to labor demands. However, racially restrictive housing covenants segregated the city and historic South Central LA was one of the few places where African American/Black people were allowed to buy homes. This area soon became a cultural hub and center for activism and continues to be community driven. The community continues to thrive thanks to the support of many local businesses including South LA Cafe which combines coffee, community, and connection.
Exposition Park
Exposition Park is located just South of USC’s campus and the University Park neighborhood. In fact, you can access all that Exposition Park has to offer by exiting campus on Watt or Pardee Way and crossing the street on Exposition Boulevard. Originally, created in 1872 as an Agricultural Park, this 160-acre corridor is now considered “The Crossroads of the Los Angeles Community ” and features museums, sports facilities, entertainment and cultural activities. Exposition Park is home to the BMO Stadium, California Science Center, California African American Museum, Exposition Park Rose Garden, Natural History Museum, and the future site of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (set to open in 2023). Lastly, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is also located in Exposition Park and is the home stadium of the USC Football team.
Downtown LA
USC is located in the heart of Los Angeles and is less than five miles from Downtown LA. The beginnings of the city began in the early 19th century, and Los Angeles officially became a city in 1850 with Pershing Square as its town plaza. The Civil War, World War II, and an economic rise led to a population increase that brought new development and the construction of the historic hotels throughout downtown. However, with this development and population influx, the city began to grow outward that led to a change in demographics of the city, with white elites leaving the center of the city and leaving communities of color at its core. Development continued during the 1970s and ‘80s, with the Los Angeles Convention Center opening in 1971 and the U.S. Bank Tower in 1987. One of DTLA’s most iconic landmarks, Crypto.com Arena (formerly known as Staples Center), opened its doors to Angelinos in 1999 and has been the home to the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Los Angeles Kings. Neighboring the arena is L.A. Live, the heart of entertainment for downtown which includes a theater, hotels, restaurants, and more. Concerts, parades, anime and K-Pop conventions, and more have made their way through the historic streets of downtown Los Angeles.
West Adams
West Adams is located just northwest of USC’s campus and runs through Adams Street and Normandie Boulevard. It became a part of the city in 1896 and was a very popular suburb for white communities. Large homes and mansions were constructed, but were later demolished and replaced with apartment complexes once movement to the Westside began in the mid-1900s. Around the same time, the city of LA ended its racial agreements that allowed for Black Angelinos and other communities of color to move into the area and attain the same housing rights. Now, West Adams is home to Latinx communities predominantly from Mexico and El Salvador.
Thank you for joining us on our tour today! We hope that current and future students will support and engage with USC’s local community. There are many diverse communities and opportunities for students to learn and have fun right here in their own backyard. The Trojans Shop Local Directory is a great place to start. Check it out!
Written by:
Jonna German, Senior Assistant Director – USC Office of Admission
Jennifer Donis Gonzalez, Assistant Director – USC Office of Admission