What Students Do on the Weekends in LA: Culver City, Playa Vista, and Marina Del Rey
After classes are over and the studying is done, there are many fun activities and places in the Los Angeles area for USC students to enjoy over the weekend.
Today, we would like to highlight a close, increasingly popular section on the city’s west side that makes a perfect weekend getaway for students: The Culver City/ Playa Vista/ Marina Del Rey area. This Silicon Beach hub is an approximate 15-minute train ride on the Metro E Line Train, or a 17-minute drive from USC’s campus.
There are many events and attractions located in this area that cater to the city’s students.
Downtown Culver City is a hub for young adults with plenty of eateries, coffee shops, fun events, and film studios. For students looking for indoor activities, there are many, including candle/perfume workshops, escape rooms, and, Sandbox VR, a fun, virtual reality activities center. Another indoor spot to visit is the Westfield Culver City Mall (Fox Hills Mall). For students looking for an outdoor activity, the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook is a popular destination where thousands of people hike for an overview of the city. The highly anticipated Baldwin Hills Sky Zone is a staple for many USC students looking to have fun.
Nestled in Playa Vista is the Playa Vista Farmer’s Market, which takes place every Saturday from 9am to 2pm. This is a great place to listen to live jazz, Bossa nova or smooth rock music while you walk through trying new meals and desserts. The Playa Vista Farmer’s Market is located at Runway Playa Vista, an outdoor shopping mall and play space comparable to the USC Village.
This is also a nice area where USC students connect with their LMU and UCLA peers. For students interested in a STEM- related field, this is also a nice area to network with many of the community members who are young professionals in the industry.
Right next to Playa Vista is Marina Del Rey, the quintessential Southern California harbor city. Most of our student’s first stop is the Fisherman Village, the harbor waterfront. Many students rent boats for a gathering on the water. Walking towards the end of the boardwalk at nighttime, students will find seals and pelicans hanging out on the lower dock. They’ll also find many shopping and dining options around the Waterside Shopping Center and all along the harbor on Admiralty Way.
There are plenty more adventures to be had in the Culver City/ Playa Vista/ Marina Del Rey area. It’s a must to visit these gems at least once while you’re a USC student or even a prospective student visiting campus. You’ll be thanking us when you have!
Written by: John Russell, Assistant Director – USC Office of Undergraduate Admission