LA and Santa Barbara in 2 Days: UCLA, USC and UC Santa Barbara

1. Who this guide is for

This plan is for parents taking a high schooler, and maybe younger siblings, on a first look at UCLA, USC and UC Santa Barbara. All three schools require you to register ahead for guided tours, and all three charge for visitor parking.[S2][S6][S15][S5][S17]

Why this order

• UCLA and USC are both in Los Angeles, about 14 driving miles apart (about 20–22 minutes with no traffic, which LA rarely has). A Westwood hotel puts you a short walk from UCLA.[S22][S24]
• UCSB is the outlier, about 98 driving miles from Westwood, or roughly 2 hours each way with no traffic, so it gets a day of its own.[S22]
• So Day 1 is UCLA + USC, on a weekday because USC tours run Monday–Friday, and Day 2 is a UCSB day trip up the coast.[S6]

2. The suggested 2-day route

• Drive and walk times are no-traffic estimates from OpenStreetMap routing. Real weekday LA driving times will usually be longer, often much longer at rush hour.[S22][S23][S24]
• Our recommendation, not a school rule: leave at least 90 minutes between the end of your UCLA visit and the start of your USC visit for lunch, the cross-town drive and parking. USC's parking permit must be active for your whole visit.[S6]

3. Campus by campus

Campus

UCLA

Official tour sign-up: UCLA Campus Tours registration ↗

Where visits start

• Undergraduate Admission is at 1147 Murphy Hall. For your tour's check-in point, check your registration on UCLA's official sign-up page. A reservation is required for every guest, and there's no waitlist.[S2]

Visitor parking

• A permit is always required. Pay by plate (exact cash or card) or through ParkMobile, which adds $0.45.[S5]
• Parking Structure 8 (Level 4, zone 2508) is $5–$14 for 1–3 hours and $18 all day. All-day permits expire at 7:59 am the next day.[S5]
• For recorded directions, call (310) 825-4321. From the 405, use the Wilshire or Sunset exits.[S4]

Nearest transit

• Buses only: Metro 2/302, 20, 720, 734 and 788; Big Blue Bus 1, 2, 3M, 8 and Rapid 12; Culver CityBus 6/Rapid 6.[S4]

What to know

• Guided tours don't go into housing, athletics or dining facilities.[S2]
• A self-guided tour takes about 45 minutes. Sign up online or pick up a map at 1147 Murphy Hall.[S2][S3]

Contact

tours@admission.ucla.edu[S2]

Last checked Oct 22, 2026. Tour and admissions details change often, so confirm them on the school's official visit page before you go.

Official pages: UCLA: Campus Tours · UCLA: Maps & Parking

Campus

USC (University Park campus)

Official tour sign-up: USC Campus Tours registration ↗

Where visits start

• The Admission Center is in Room 202 of the Ronald Tutor Campus Center (Sample Hall).[S8]
• Tours are free, but registration is required. Late arrivals get a self-guided brochure instead of the tour.[S6]

Visitor parking

• USC requires a $20 parking permit, active for your whole visit. The Admission Center doesn't validate.[S6]
• USC Transportation lists Text2Park at $20/day (plus $0.50) in the Downey, Flower, Royal and McCarthy structures; hourly parking at $4/hour, up to 4 hours; pay-by-plate at $20 in McCarthy, Figueroa and Royal; and the Grand Ave. Structure at $2/hour or $14/day.[S10]
• Entrances: Royal St. (700 W. Jefferson Blvd.), McCarthy Way (620 W. McCarthy Way, open 24 hours) and the Figueroa Structure (3520 S. Figueroa St.).[S12]
• Game-day rates may differ. USC posts a separate game-day schedule for Saturday, Oct 31, 2026 (USC vs. Ohio State).[S11][S27]

Nearest transit

• Expo Park/USC on the Metro E Line, about a 5-minute walk from the Tutor Campus Center.[S24][S26]

What to know

• Exposition Park, with its museums, is across the street. Public access to campus is restricted after 9 pm.[S9]
• USC doesn't track demonstrated interest, so a tour won't affect admission. ADA accommodation requests go to visitusc@usc.edu or (213) 740-6605 at least five business days ahead.[S6]

Contact

(213) 740-6605[S6][S7]

Last checked Oct 22, 2026. Tour and admissions details change often, so confirm them on the school's official visit page before you go.

Official pages: USC Admission: Tours · USC Transportation: Daily and Hourly Parking

Campus

UC Santa Barbara

Official tour sign-up: UCSB Campus Tours registration ↗

Where visits start

• The Visitor Center is in the Student Affairs and Administrative Services Building (SAASB). It's open Monday–Friday, 9 am–4 pm, excluding campus holidays and closures.[S14]
• For tour days and times, check UCSB's official sign-up page.[S15]

Visitor parking

• UCSB recommends Parking Structure 18 (Mesa Structure) or the north section of Lot 16, the closest to the Visitor Center. Buy an ePermit at a kiosk by license plate, or use ParkMobile in Lots 16 and 18.[S14]
• Short-term rates: 1 hour $3, 2 hours $5, 3 hours $7, 4 hours $8. UCSB's rate page lists two daily rates, $8 (regular) and $12 (gold). Kiosks take cards or $1/$5 bills and give no change.[S17]
• Metered spaces charge a full day ($12, 7:30 am–5 pm Mon–Fri), and ePermits aren't valid at meters.[S16]

Nearest transit

• Santa Barbara MTD Line 11 (State/Hollister/UCSB). The regular fare is $2.50.[S37][S36]

Contact

Admissions, 1210 Cheadle Hall, (805) 893-2881[S15]

Last checked Oct 22, 2026. Tour and admissions details change often, so confirm them on the school's official visit page before you go.

Official pages: UCSB: Visit (directions) · UCSB: Short-Term Parking Rates

4. Where to stay: one base for all three

Expedia hotel links are affiliate links: if you book through one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

UCLA Health's Westwood hotel list says both hotels offer a weekday UCLA shuttle. Ask the hotel when you book.[S20]

5. Meals between tours

Hours change, so check before you go.

6. Things for siblings along the route

Viator tour links are affiliate links: if you book through one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

7. Practical tips

Parent checklist

• Book Day 1 on a weekday. USC tours run Monday–Friday.[S6]
• Register early. UCLA has no waitlist, and registration usually opens about 2 months out.[S2]
• Have a card ready for every campus's parking. UCSB kiosks give no change.[S17]
• If you're bringing younger siblings, ask each school when you register whether they can join the tour.
• After each school, take five minutes to jot down what stood out to your student before the next one blurs it.