<p>Looks like I messed up again and didn't book a hotel for graduation yet. Can other parents share their experience for that day? Where you stay, transportation, what to expect, how long should we stay in LA etc.</p>
<p>I’m not a parent, but I can tell you what my parents did. They stayed downtown, like they usually did; my mom can get pretty good deals on Priceline for DTLA hotels like the Westin, the Marriot, the Biltmore, etc. I think she actually just got a hotel a week or so ago for Parent’s Weekend for a pretty reasonable price. (I’m a grad student now, and for some reason they think that means they can come back for Parent’s Weekend! Haha!)</p>
<p>We are from Nor Cal, so my parents always came down earlier for events because it was close. I think my boyfriend’s parents flew in from the East Coast the night before graduation and flew out the Sunday after the ceremony. (Graduation is on a Friday.) It’s pretty much up to you; graduation is a nearly all-day event, so I wouldn’t plan on coming and going on the same day unless you’re really adamant on not staying in a hotel. I think it’s better to come in the day before at the very least, considering how early you need to be up for the AM all-school ceremony to save seats.</p>
<p>My parents had a car rented and picked up my boyfriend and our friends at my house and drove us to campus so we could line up on time. My dad then parked the rental car in my house’s driveway and walked to campus. If you student has a parking space/lot, this is a good idea – you could even just use your student’s car to do the drop off.</p>
<p>Oh wow! I guess I need to get moving on this. My oldest son graduates this year! Thanks for the reminder bmom. I am going to look at the hotels Zelda mentioned and just plan on getting there super early. I am hoping to bring a picnic lunch as well.</p>
<p>All the above Hotels are booked already! OH NO!</p>
<p>Keep in mind that by Spring 2012, USC will be served by rail transit. Construction through the Jefferson / La Cienega stop is basically done, with just testing left.</p>
<p>Some links to rail transit maps that might help you expand your hotel search:</p>
<p>[BuildExpo</a> Destinations](<a href=“VSG”>VSG)</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/maps/images/rail_map.pdf[/url]”>http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/maps/images/rail_map.pdf</a></p>
<p>We just got something today by LAX since that’s where my husband will be flying into.</p>
<p>^ LAX is pretty far from campus and because of Friday morning traffic (I commute from near downtown to near LAX every weekday for work) he would have to leave pretty early in the AM for the all school ceremony/parking. The 110 North (what you’d take from LAX to USC) is always jammed by 8am.</p>
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<p>Depending on your child’s school/division, many hold receptions after the individual graduation ceremonies with food and drinks. You probably won’t need a picnic lunch; I would also imagine it would be hard to carry around. Just eat a decent breakfast and have a nice dinner later!</p>
<p>Hi Zelda,
I grew up in Long Beach, so we’re familiar with the traffic patterns…this is what works for us, particularly if the hotels downtown are beginning to fill up. It might not be the best for someone who doesn’t know the area.</p>
<p>^ OK your profile said Northern California, so it was impossible for me to know where you grew up. Sorry! Other parents might be unfamiliar with traffic, so what I posted might apply to out of towners.</p>
<p>Hollywood and Glendale are other areas to consider as USC is easier to get to on a Friday from those locations as opposed to the Westside. My parents had some success getting good rates at the Renaissance at the Hollywood and Highland center – but you’d still probably have to leave on the earlier side and take surface streets to USC as the 101 South can be jammed.</p>
<p>Agreed, Zelda, you are quite helpful in your posts.</p>
<p>For move in, we stayed at the Hollywood Hotel. It was a fine option, except the water in the bathroom smelled so bad. Is that typical for LA? I mention this hotel because it was a straight shot down Vermont on the bus. I had a car for all but the last day and was surprised how easy it was to get to campus on the bus. I thought I would have to take a cab.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the info, everybody.</p>
<p>What about Culver City, is that close enough?</p>
<p>Heading to USC from downtown is the best bet, but driving in L.A. early rush hour traffic, we natives always expect a long commute. Just plan for an hour or so from most other locations and there shouldn’t be a real surprise–although it may be a shorter trip if luck is with you. From Culver City it may take up to an hour in rush hour, but often less than that. It can take an equal amount of time from Glendale or Pasadena. I imagine the graduation will bring a lot of traffic on surface streets, so just be prepared to wake up early and get on over to campus. I’m excited about joining you all in a fabulous May graduation event! </p>
<p>Question for Zelda or others who have been to any recent graduations, how much earlier than the start time should families arrive? Where is the best seating? Any tips? Do families bring flowers? Balloons?</p>
<p>We stayed at Andaz on Sunset Blvd this summer when we went to USC with S2. Awesome hotel.</p>
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<p>8:00 am – Students line-up for the main ceremony in Alumni Park
8:30 am – Main ceremony begins
10:10 am – Main ceremony ends, students go directly to Satellite Ceremony locations</p>
<p>I think my mom was on campus around 7:00? 7:30? I was dropped off right at 8am.</p>
<p>Best seating is subjective. There’s a lot of people, so if you can be by a video screen, that’s a nice option. Other people like to sit by their student’s “school” groups, but those seats are few and far between. The only tip I can offer is to come early.</p>
<p>People bring EVERYTHING! Flowers, balloons, money leis, regular leis…I get a lei when I was lining up from my boyfriend’s family (so I wore during the ceremony) and my parents gave me flowers and balloons when I met up with them after the ceremony. Having your student bring their cell phone (I’m a girl, so I wore a SMALL across the shoulder purse under my robe!) is a good idea so you all can meet up after the ceremony.</p>
<p>even when traffic is at its worst it doesn’t take me more than half an hour to get from LAX to USC… actually, on average, it takes me about 15-20 minutes. maybe because my shuttle driver goes 90 mph…</p>
<p>All this graduation talk is getting me excited. Still can’t believe it’s happening already. How are other parents feeling?</p>
<p>I know some schools have a program where parents can stay in the empty dorms for the two nights around graduation for a fee and it includes linens. Does USC have such a program?</p>
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<p>Shuttle drivers use the carpool lane on the 110. Trust me, I drive the 110 EVERY DAY.</p>
<p>bmom I am very excited to be a graduation and see everyone in their graduation robes. the time has gone by so fast! I hoping S1 can find a job!</p>