This area gets congested during college football season, when drunken cardinal-and-gold-bedecked USC fans cheer on the Trojans. There’s plenty to do on campus, whether or not you’re enrolled, including cheap movies, free concerts, elevated lectures and the surprisingly entertaining science center. On the southwest side, the Leimert Park arts and shopping district is a low-key area, excellent for rare finds.

Landmarks

• Exposition Park • Menlo Ave & S Park Dr
213-765-5369
Forget the Coliseum and check out the Rose Garden. Or not.

• Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County • 900 Exposition Blvd
213-763-3466
Kids just love the dinosaur fossils.

Nightlife

• Babe’s & Ricky’s Inn • 4339 Leimert Blvd
323-295-9112
Blues music.

Restaurants

• Aunt Rosa Lee’s Mississippi Soul Food •
2781 S Western Ave
323-733-8586 • $$
Real soul food.

• Harold & Belle’s • 2920 W Jefferson Blvd
323-735-9023 • $$$
Great Cajun food.

• La Barca • 2414 S Vermont Ave
323-735-6567 • $$
Mexican.

• Phillip’s Barbecue • 4307 Leimert Blvd
323-292-7613 • $$
Southern-style ribs in southern LA.

• Pizza Moon • 2619 S Western Ave
323-733-2222 • $
Pizzas, burgers, Mexican dishes, etc., for sit-down, takeout or delivery.

Shopping

• Zambezi Bazaar • 4334 Degnan Blvd
323-299-6383
African-American specialty store.