DAY 1: University of La Verne (ULV):
After a 40-minute drive, the first stop was the University of La Verne—where we toured around the campus with two college students and learned about student life and club culture. At the campus there is a rock where students paint it at least once a week. The oldest building on campus, The Hanawalt House, has burned down twice; after the first time, they tried to rebuild it with the original material. The second time around, they decided to rebuild it with modern materials; the only thing left of the original house was the floor.
California State University Northridge (CSUN):
The next stop was CSUN, which was about an hour drive from ULV, with traffic. When we arrived, it was pouring with rain, making the campus feel calm and less crowded. Despite the weather, we had time to explore. We initiated the tour with a visit to the campus store and food plaza where we spent an hour or more resting and grubbing. We continued the tour as the rain calmed down: wandering around and getting a feel for the environment. CSUN’s campus is one of the largest in the California State University system. The Oviatt Library is one of the most iconic buildings: known for its large pillars and wide steps that lead up to the entrance.
California Lutheran University:
For this field trip experience at the religious Cal Lutheran University, we were sent on a scavenger hunt in pairs or groups of three. During this self-guided tour, the rain was least forgiving, pouring while we raced to finish the scavenger hunt. We had to burden through puddles to get our pictures: ultimately, soaking our clothes and shoes. It was hard to take in the hidden beauty of the school because our umbrellas were blocking our view most of the time; and the weather had really affected the environment as well as the overall vibe of the school.
DAY 2: California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO)
This day started off with another scavenger hunt and fortunately, there was no rain in sight. However, the campus was the largest yet. One can see the ubiquitous slogan, “Learn by Doing” throughout the campus. This slogan symbolizes The Old Powerhouse—one of our stops on our scavenger hunt. We also visited Dexter Lawn, which was boring since there was nothing special about the lawn that meets the eye. This university features mainly STEM majors and has lots of walking to get from class to class. Toward the end of the tour, we fueled up at one of their restaurants and fast food stops like Chick-fil-A, Subway, and Starbucks.
University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB):
After visiting Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, we drove about 100 miles to UC Santa Barbara, which took around two hours. Upon arrival, we had some free time to check out the campus bookstore: picking up souvenirs and school gear, before our tour began. The tour guide was friendly and introduced us to the beautiful campus: offering stunning views of the beach and nearby lakes. A fun fact was how UCSB offers three major pathways to follow for their majors including a STEM Pathway, Humanities and Social Sciences, Creative Arts and Design pathway. You are even allowed to make your own study or elective—if it correlates to your major. UCSB has a nice, open environment, with students enjoying the outdoor spaces and coastal air. There are even bike paths that work like freeways! This means you may get run over and it will not be the biker’s fault. A highlight was learning about the variety of sports, with over 100 recreational and competitive programs available to students. It was clear that UCSB offers a dynamic and active atmosphere: making it an exciting place to be.
Downtown Santa Barbara:
After visiting UCSB, we stopped in downtown Santa Barbara for a quick food break. Instead of fast food, we ended up at a plaza-style market offering a variety of fresh meats and locally sourced options—reflecting the city’s preference for fresh, high-quality ingredients. We stayed for about an hour and 30 minutes, giving us time to eat and take in the relaxed, coastal atmosphere. After that, we headed back to the hotel, wrapping up the day with a quieter, more laid-back stop.
DAY 3: University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
The last university stop was UCLA, and the students were guided by a former FOHI steeler. On our tour, we learned that Legally Blonde and even Oppenheimer were filmed on this campus. Amazingly, Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech, Segregation Must Die, to students here back in 1965. He advocated for students to get involved in the grave inequality and segregation of the time. As students walked through the serene campus filled with beautiful architecture, we pivoted our attention to Royce Hall: an asymmetrical building with apparently 37 differences, when comparing the left side to the right. One of the differences is rumored to be that one of the sides of the building has an extra layer of bricks and only those who major in architecture find out when they graduate.
The Getty:
The Getty Museum was our last stop, giving us a little under an hour to explore its massive galleries and scenic outdoor spaces. The museum itself felt like a work of art, with its towering stone buildings, open courtyards, and perfectly landscaped gardens. Inside, we walked through exhibits featuring Van Gogh, Monet, and Rembrandt: surrounded by sculptures and artifacts, creating a window into the past. Stepping onto the terraces, we took in the stunning panoramic view of Los Angeles—stretching from the downtown skyline, all the way to the ocean. After taking in the art and the view, we headed to downtown L.A. for a final meal before heading home.