USC graduation weekend 2027: things to do in Los Angeles

Friday, 14 May 2027 · ExpectedLos Angeles, United States

USC Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to Los Angeles for a weekend. The ceremony takes a morning: this guide covers where to stay, the celebration dinner and what to do with the rest of the time.

Tours in Los Angeles Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Confirm the date and ticket rules on the school's commencement page: guest tickets are often limited.
Book the celebration dinner when you book the hotel. Every restaurant in town is full that weekend.

Airport to University Park Campus

LAX is 30 to 60 minutes from most areas; the LAX/Metro Transit Center links to the K and C lines. Burbank (BUR) and Long Beach (LGB) are easier for some venues.

Metro E Line to Expo Park/USC or Jefferson/USC.

Public transport directions to University Park Campus

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Koreatown	Central, on the metro, great food.
Mid-range	Downtown and Santa Monica	Downtown for venues, Santa Monica for the beach.
Splurge	Beverly Hills and West Hollywood	Classic luxury hotels.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Line LA
Mid-range: Hotel Figueroa
Splurge: The Beverly Hills Hotel

Links search the nights from 13 May to 15 May. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual graduation weekend schedule for Friday, 14 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Thursday 13 May

Check in, walk the campus with your graduate and book a celebration dinner.

FreeThe Getty and the Broad (book free tickets).
EatGrand Central Market Downtown food hall

Ceremony day

Friday 14 May

Ceremonies take the morning. The afternoon is for photos and a long lunch.

EatGuelaguetza Oaxacan in Koreatown
Easy outingTaco and street food tour Evening · Food · Nightlife
East LA or Downtown.

The day after

Saturday 15 May

A free day before everyone leaves. A good time for a trip out of town.

Half-daySanta Monica and Venice bike tour Half day · Family
Beach path.
EatLanger's Deli Pastrami

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickCatalina Island day trip Full day · Family
Ferry from Long Beach or San Pedro.
Rain or heat backupGetty Center Half day · Indoor · Low walking
Free museum on a hill; parking is paid.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Santa Monica and Venice bike tour

Beach path.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Catalina Island day trip

Ferry from Long Beach or San Pedro.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Disneyland Resort

Anaheim, 45 minutes south.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood

Working studio backlot.

See times and prices

California Science Center (Space Shuttle).
Natural History Museum.
Santa Monica Pier.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Food · Nightlife

Taco and street food tour

East LA or Downtown.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Catalina Island day trip

Ferry from Long Beach or San Pedro.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Disneyland Resort

Anaheim, 45 minutes south.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Universal Studios Hollywood

Theme park and studio tram.

See times and prices

After dark

Hollywood rooftops, Silver Lake bars.

Ten tours worth booking for USC

Tour	Length	Good for
Santa Monica and Venice bike tour	Half day	Families
Catalina Island day trip	Full day	Families
Getty Center	Half day	Bad weather, Tired legs
Disneyland Resort	Full day	Families
Malibu wine safari	Half day	Food lovers
Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood	Half day	Families, Bad weather
Universal Studios Hollywood	Full day	Families
Hollywood sign hike	Half day	Families
Celebrity homes tour	Half day	Tired legs
Taco and street food tour	Evening	Food lovers, Night owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Grand Central Market Downtown food hall
Guelaguetza Oaxacan in Koreatown
Langer's Deli Pastrami
Leo's Tacos Al pastor truck
Philippe the Original French dip since 1908
Park's BBQ Korean BBQ

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Indoor · Low walking

Getty Center

Free museum on a hill; parking is paid.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood

Working studio backlot.

See times and prices

LACMA.
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
Petersen Automotive Museum.

Getting around on event days

Metro rail and buses take TAP cards or contactless; trains are useful for downtown, Exposition Park, Inglewood (K Line), Long Beach (A Line) and Pasadena (A Line).
Distances are long: allow 45 to 90 minutes between venues at peak hours.
Uber and Lyft are the default; ask about event-day pickup zones.

Day trips from Los Angeles

Malibu: 1 hour
Catalina: 1 hour by ferry
Santa Barbara: 2 hours

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for USC.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is USC Commencement 2027?

The next edition is Friday, 14 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to University Park Campus?

LAX is 30 to 60 minutes from most areas; the LAX/Metro Transit Center links to the K and C lines. Burbank (BUR) and Long Beach (LGB) are easier for some venues. Metro E Line to Expo Park/USC or Jefferson/USC.

Where should I stay for USC Commencement?

For most visitors the best base is Downtown and Santa Monica: Downtown for venues, Santa Monica for the beach.

What else can we do around USC Commencement?

Good short outings in Los Angeles include Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood, Hollywood sign hike, Celebrity homes tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near USC Commencement?

Family-friendly picks: Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood, Universal Studios Hollywood, Hollywood sign hike. California Science Center (Space Shuttle).

How far is University Park Campus from Los Angeles centre?

About 5 km in a straight line. Metro E Line to Expo Park/USC or Jefferson/USC.

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