Occidental College - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

While Eagle Rock is lacking for things to do, especially at night, the rest of Los Angeles more than makes up for it. Being in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country has its advantages in terms of entertainment and cultural opportunities, and there’s never a lack of things to do for those willing to try something new. Being sandwiched in between the cities of Glendale and Pasadena is great. The ommunity surrounding Occidental is quiet, while the location between two major cities gives students an option to go in either direction. Pasadena is more upscale and has many good restaurants and clubs, while Glendale has both the Galleria and a large outdoor mall area in the downtown area that has movie theaters, shops, and a wide variety of restaurants.

Branching out beyond that into the rest of Los Angeles can be difficult for those without a car, but it is possible and can be very rewarding. With the many museums and concert halls, the level of culture in LA is remarkable. There is, of course, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach as well, all of which are just a small sample of the myriad of entertainment options available. One can not forget about Chinatown, either. Simply put, there is no lack of things to do in Los Angeles, especially for those willing to look for it. Those without a car often find difficulty in getting around town, but the options are still available, albeit they take much longer to get to. These options are ever-increasing, especially with the recent addition of the Metro Gold Line, which makes it easier to get to many areas around the city. The people that seem to get the most from Oxy are those that make the effort to get out.

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Students Speak Out

edornbush says: Occidental College 2012 Undecided

Eagle Rock is lame. If you don't... Eagle Rock is lame. If you don't have a car or know someone who does, it's difficult to find fun things to do. People mostly head to local restaurants—Classic Thai and Spitz are favorites—or trek to Pasadena. There are also beaches relatively close to head to on the weekends. People will go to the Claremont schools on weekends if they know people there—they have a wet campus, and we don't, so it's an obvious choice if you want to party. 12345 Local Atmosphere: April 13, 2009 Report

Anonymous says:

I find that the more I get out,... I find that the more I get out, the more I am surprised. This is definitely the place to be. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

You’d be amazed how many different... You’d be amazed how many different things you can do in the area. Part of the reason I love Oxy so much is the emphasis people place on getting out and trying new things. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

I hate Eagle Rock, but once you... I hate Eagle Rock, but once you get outside of it, you have a lot of awesome stuff to do. I go to the beaches, especially Venice, if I want to go have fun. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

LA is nice, but nothing ever goes... LA is nice, but nothing ever goes on in Eagle Rock. Everything shuts down at 9 p.m., except for maybe the one coffeehouse, but that gets old really quick. If you want to do something nearby, you always have to make a big trip, which really sucks when all you want to do is find a good place to eat and hang out for a while. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

Oxy is centrally located in Los Angeles and has easy access to bus and rail lines throughout the city.

The school runs a bus service that takes students out into the city throughout the week and picks them up.

Many options for free movies, concerts, and plays are available throughout the school year.

5 Fun Facts about LA:
• Hollywood always has something to do, from movie premieres to clubs.
• Los Angeles has many incredible museums, from the Getty to the Museum of Tolerance.
• There are many different cultural areas, from Chinatown to Los Feliz; you have to try them all!
• Mass-transit is improving greatly, especially with the addition of the Metro Gold Line, meaning very little is inaccessible, even to those without a car. Be prepared for a slightly longer commute.
• Don’t forget about Six Flags and Disneyland; they’re closer than you would ever think.

Famous People from LA:
From movie stars to famous politicians, Los Angeles is where any and all famous people go at some point. You will never lack in celebrities in LA.

Local Slang:
The 5 – Interstate 5
Agro – Gone out of control
Hollyweird – What Hollywood is
Orange Curtain – The line that divides Los Angeles County and Orange County
S&M Boulevard – Santa Monica Boulevard
Sig-Alert – Used for when a major traffic jam occurs on one of the many freeways
So-Cal – Southern California

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