<p>This may sound frivolous but I'm asking anyway. My daughter is very much so considering USC right now. We're from norcal so when we flew down to LA last week to visit the school (along with a few others for my son) we really didn't see any nearby shopping areas, which could present a problem as my daughter and wife are avid shoppers. So, is there transport to shopping areas available on campus (e.g. shuttles)? And what places would they be? (she will not be driving, my wife and I just don't think it would be practical for her to drive so far from home) Also, are there shuttles from LAX to USC? (because we ended up having some friends in LA drive us to campus)</p>
<p>First of all, there IS shopping to be had, probably at The Grove near the old Farmer’s Market in LA (Fairfax and 3rd?). I know there is a city bus because my son has taken it. She can also get a ride from one of her future classmates to Santa Monica or Beverly Hills for more shopping fun. The city buses go everywhere but it does take a while to get around on them. USC does not have shopping shuttles as far as I know. I do remember reading that USC offered some LAX shuttles around the holidays- call Student Services and ask. Otherwise, there are private shuttles available (like the old Bayporter in Norcal). The names are probably on the USC website. Another idea is the train: USC does offer shuttles to Union Station, she can take the train to a number of places where she can shop. However, Amtrak isn’t as cheap and fast as BART. One thing to remember is: “Like attracts like.” There are sure to be people at USC whom your daughter befriends who will be happy to take her out shopping anytime. Plenty of cars in LA, even at USC.</p>
<p>I’m currently a freshmen in USC and I also love going shopping. If you don’t have a car, then you can take the bus to nearby places such as The Grove, Beverly Center and Santa Monica. Bus fare is 1.25 and it usually takes 2.50 to get to one place because you probably need to transfer. There isn’t a mall in walking distance, unfortunately. But if you find a friend with a car or find a group of girls to go shopping together, it shouldn’t be a problem (I don’t recommend going on a bus alone late night coming back from shopping).</p>
<p>My husband orders a super shuttle to pick up my son when it is time for him to go to the airport. Super shuttle is reliable. Getting out of USC on the buses is very time consuming.
I suggest that your daughter shop when she comes home unless she finds a group of friends to go together. There will be plenty of activities at USC to keep her busy. USC had a bus available before school started to go to places like Target.</p>
<p>Black Belt shopper here:</p>
<p>Ok…first of all what is your style? The Grove, Century City, 3rd Street Promenade are good choices but…(can you tell that I have fashionista daughters?) Robertson Blvd has Kitson, American Apparel, and Lisa Klein. Sunset Plaza has wonderful boutiques and fun restaurants. Melrose (dodge the papparazzi) has great boutiques as well. Beverly Hills, my home town, has a lot (unfortunately) chain stores like the Gap. But we also have: Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Barney’s. (For the true devotee of sales there is the twice yearly Barney’s clearance at the Santa Monica hangar…never have been, but I understand it is great! Wear tights and a leotard as I understand there are no dressing rooms.)</p>
<p>Near Cedars and the Beverly Center (which has H&M) there is a Loehman’s. They have a parking lot. </p>
<p>Some of these places have good sales: Bloomingdales, Macy’s, and sometimes Neimans and Saks have “take 40% off the sale price”…some are uber expensive.</p>
<p>Los Angeles is not mass transit friendly. And I would NOT want my child on public transit after dark (sorry uber mommy here). But your daughter will make friends with other people who shop…and lunch…and shop.</p>
<p>…and fyi Westwood, which used to have some shops…doesn’t…</p>
<p>(ellebud- I think we could be good friends! :))</p>
<p>There’s also Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Great for a weekend afternoon because there is also street entertainment- and they have a lot of the college basics (yeah, more chain stores)- A&F, AE, Anthropologie, B Republic, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters… and you can walk to Fred Segal on Broadway from there.</p>
<p>The other great thing about the Third Street Promenade is that it’s within walking distance of the beach, so one can easily do a beach-shop excursion in a day.</p>
<p>cc411:</p>
<p>On your mark, get ready…SWIPE!!! </p>
<p>And yes we could…</p>
<p>Thanks for all your responses everyone. I showed her this post and she got very excited. But I think she’ll really enjoy the third street promenade because those places are right up her alley. Locally, she does spend a good chunk of her time at Nordstrom. Any nearby Nordstrom locations? Thanks again</p>
<p>The anchor at The Grove is a Nordstrom.</p>
<p>However the Grove Nordstrom is sort of a boutique Nordstrom. The big one is in the valley at the Topanga Mall I believe. There is also a Nordstom at the Westside Pavilion (Pico and Westwood) But again, not so big. But like all Nordstrom if you see something on their site they will get anything for you. They have a small Brass Plum area for shoes and clothes.</p>
<p>Don’t even think about going to the valley by public transportation. It would take HOURS…and HOURS. By car it would still be a good hour.</p>
<p>The new University Village is supposed to be mixed use with pedestrian areas, shops and markets. I do not know which shops these will be, but I would imagine some would appeal to college students.</p>
<p>Does anyone know the estimated completion date for this project?</p>
<p>Not anytime soon, “USC has analyzed each of the six Master Planning Districts in terms of university-owned property and the potential new development of this property in the years leading up to 2030.”</p>
<p>[University</a> Park Master Plan - Draft Master Plan: Potential Development on University Property](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/community/upcmasterplan/draft_master_plan/potential/]University”>http://www.usc.edu/community/upcmasterplan/draft_master_plan/potential/)</p>
<p>If you have patience, they’re redoing Santa Monica Place at the south end of the Third St. Promenade, and putting in a Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. They are planning to open in Spring 2010.</p>
<p>There’s one public transportation stop near USC’s campus that takes people to Glendale, CA directly.
Its the 603 Metro Bus. And you don’t need to transfer into other buses, etc. The bus itself is a small one which can feel safer than the larger and often more populated buses.
There is two malls/shopping centers right in front of each other, The Glendale Galleria and the Americana. The Americana is Glendale’s version of The Grove. The two shopping centers together have everything from Target to Nordstroms.
the websites of the shopping centers are [The</a> Americana at Brand](<a href=“http://www.americanaatbrand.com/shopping.html]The”>http://www.americanaatbrand.com/shopping.html) and [Store</a> Directory](<a href=“http://glendalegalleria.com/html/storedirectory.asp]Store”>http://glendalegalleria.com/html/storedirectory.asp)</p>
<p>Depending on time of day it should take about 45-1hour each way.</p>
<p>…and Old Town Pasadena…again by private car…but it used to have some cute boutiques inbetween the Gap, Victoria’s secet et al…</p>
so do you have any information about the buses commute between santa monica and usc?
This is 6 year old thread, I suggest starting a new one if you have questions about the area. 
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Closing thread for the above reason. Do not resurrect old threads.