<p>1-Tours: I will be taking the shuttle from the airport to USC, how easy will it be to tour the campus (I will not be driving)? </p>
<p>2-Hotels/Guest House: If I plan to stay 1 or 2 nights, what is the best place to stay? I heard that the Radisson is across the street from the campus; is it safe to walk from this hotel to the university? Are there any other safe, accessible places to stay? My kid will be in his residential hall but I plan to stay a few nights after he’s there; do you have any advice about this? </p>
<p>3-Groceries: How easy will it be to go to the stores to buy groceries and supplies? I plan to do most of the shopping online; if I forget any essential articles, are there any stores I can buy them at without driving?</p>
<p>Will miss my children…both kids are heading to college in fall!!!</p>
<p>The Radisson is DIRECTLY across the street. Yes, it is safe to walk to campus - it is about a 2-minute walk. Students will be walking with you because several floors of the hotel are dorms.</p>
<p>There will be a USC bus to Target the first several days for students and parents to pick up forgotten items.</p>
<p>I know there is a nearby grocery store, but my D (who just returned home after her first year two days ago) is still sleeping and can’t tell me exactly where.</p>
<p>It is going to be a GREAT year for your kids! Congratulations on getting them to this great stage in life.</p>
<p>University Village is just on the other side of campus from The Radisson and definitely walkable- yes, it’s safe. It’s a little run down but they have some essentials- Superior Market (grocery store), Radio Shack, The Dollar Store…
[Shops</a> & Hours | Real Estate & Asset Management](<a href=“http://re.usc.edu/uv/shops/]Shops”>http://re.usc.edu/uv/shops/)</p>
<p>Be sure to book your reservation for The Radisson early because it fills up quickly if you are coming on a popular weekend. Also- FWIW- I stayed once at The Radisson and couldn’t sleep because if was so noisy- but you can’t beat the convenience!</p>
<p>The Omni in Downtown LA , right near Disney hall, has a special USC parents rate which is about 70% off rack rate- you have to call reservations or the front desk to ask for it. It is located a few miles from campus but they have a free shuttle that can take you to USC. If you want to have a great night’s sleep in a wonderful, quiet hotel I highly recommend it. FYI-After you drop your kid off they will likely not want you to “hang around”. I found it nice to close by but not right at USC.</p>
<p>Greenery, we’ve stayed at Radisson for move-in, it’s very convenient, but expensive. We’ve stayed at Vagabond Inn for Explore, it’s 3 blocks from campus, still okay to walk, it’s a lot cheaper but it’s a motel, still clean. And we’ve stayed at Holiday Inn during Parents Weekend, reasonable rate but not within walking distance.</p>
<p>The closevst real grocery store is Ralph’s at Adams and Vermont. Superior in UV is closer but a little bit funky, and for some things is fine. You just have to learn which is which.</p>
<p>The Raddison is great, but will be full already for move-in weekend. I assume it will be used as a dorm again next year. If so only the top 2 or 3 floors are normal hotel rooms, so it is really quite small and fills up fast for move-in, graduation, football games.</p>
<p>I like the Vagabond for a back-up. Have not tried anything further out.</p>
<p>dt123: (The Radisson already is full: Rate was $240.00 the night for the move-in week!!!). I will try the Sheraton it has a better rate. Thanks.</p>
<p>Someone on this forum gave the BEST advice to use Priceline (thanks again so much).
Our experience is getting a 4 star downtown LA hotel for $80., 3 star downtown LA hotel for $60. a night. I think 3 and a half stars was around $72. a night. My husband ended up with the Bonaventure ($80. a night), Marriott (around $72. or so per night) and the Kyoto Grand? hotel for $60. a night. I can’t guarantee these rates but you can start low on Priceline and bid up. PM me if you have any questions. Radisson is best location, but more expensive.</p>