Student Perspectives: How Much Does It Cost to Go Out in LA?
Hi everyone! My name is Lindsay, and I am a senior majoring in Journalism and Political Science. After three years of going on adventures in Los Angeles, I like to think that my friends and I are experts at LA “enrichment.” This is the definitive breakdown of what to do, and how much it will cost you.
Outdoor activities:
Hiking is completely free! I would highly recommend the Hollywood hike or the hike to Griffith Observatory (where going inside is also free)!
The beach also costs nothing! I love to lounge at Manhattan Beach, walk around Santa Monica Pier (which you can get to by taking the Metro Line at USC), or bonfire at Dockweiler.
L.A. has a great thrifting/flea market scene. I’ve been to the LA Vintage Warehouse ($15 entry fee and $6 per pound of clothing) and the Melrose Trading Post ($6 entry fee).
Entertainment: L.A. is obviously known for its music scene, so I would highly recommend taking advantage of the concert availability.
A few concerts that I’ve attended include Ella Jane for $20, Aidan Bissett for $40, and Meghan Trainer for $60.
L.A. also has a great musical scene. I got to see Hamilton and Les Miserables for about $60 each.
A cheaper option is to explore USC’s or other LA colleges’ performances. I have a friend at LMU whose plays cost around $15 (and are basically professional quality)! I saw A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Elemeno Pea.
Meals: You can get basically every food offering in LA, from $2 street tacos to Michelin star restaurants. Here are some of my favorites around the city:
Markets like Mercado la Paloma or Grand Central Market range about $10 to $30 for a meal.
Ocean View Cafe has a delicious brunch and costs about $20!
Korean BBQ is super popular in LA (and very close to USC)! It costs about $40 for all you can eat. Road to Seoul would be my recommendation!
Din Tai Fung is another super popular place (with amazing chocolate dumplings) and costs about $40.
Everyone has to experience Erewhon at least once. You don’t just have to get their $20 smoothies. There is also sushi, sandwiches, and other meal offerings.
You can also find great deals. My friends and I went to Tao (which was featured on “Sex and the City”), which can cost around $100 a person. If you go for their happy hour from 5pm to 7pm Monday through Thursday or 5pm to 6pm on Friday, you can get dumplings for $1 each!
Misc: Other great L.A. adventures have included
Top Golf: about $30
The Huntington Gardens: about $25 per person – discounted with student ID)
The Arboretum Los Angeles: about $15
Cat Cafe Lounge: $70 for 3 hours
But again! There are great hacks to do activities for cheaper. For instance, the Huntington provides free tickets on the last Thursday of every month for admission the following week. Another great tip is to join clubs, participating in residential activities or have an on-campus job You can usually expect group outings. I’ve gotten to go bowling, to a trampoline park, and all around LA for free or included in my dues.
Transportation:
The Metro costs $1.75 per trip, but USC students get their Metro cards for free!
Driving is another great option. USC provides parking passes for about $500 per year or semester?.
You can also rideshare. USC provides free Lyft within 2 miles of USC. Ubers/Lyfts farther than that will depend on how far you go and how many people are in your group. In my experience, Waymos are typically cheaper, if you’re willing to brave a driver-less car!
Whether you’re looking for free outdoor adventures or planning a special night out, there’s something in Los Angeles for every budget. One of the best parts about being a student at USC is having access to so many incredible experiences, just a short trip from campus. With a little planning (and a few student discounts), you can make the most of everything LA has to offer without breaking the bank.