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Out of the nest: City of Stars

Byline photo of Cynthia Xie
by Cynthia Xie, A&E/Lifestyle Editor
February 6, 2026
The setting sun illuminates clouds above the Griffith Observatory, crowing the dome with fiery wisps.
The setting sun illuminates clouds above the Griffith Observatory, crowing the dome with fiery wisps.
Cynthia Xie
From atop the Griffith Observatory, the sun sets on Los Angeles. Visitors get free admission to look through telescopes and visit exhibits about space.

Streaks of orange and pink paint the sky at Griffith Observatory as the sun sets over the Los Angeles hills, highlighting the iconic bright white Hollywood sign. In a brilliant red wink, the sun finally sinks beneath the horizon. Slowly, the lights of the city below begin to illuminate the landscape, and twinkling constellations replace the twilight glow.

Despite the sky darkening, the decks grow even more crowded as people jostle to view the stars. Mirroring the activity in the observatory, the city of Los Angeles was coming alive, miniature figures dotting the streets and the sounds of cars honking faintly drifting up. For many, the night was just beginning.

Although this was not my first time in the so-called “City of Stars,” it was the first time I truly considered what it meant to visit a city famed for fulfilling dreams. Since I had come to southern California to look at colleges, the thought of what lay ahead in the world of adulthood and independence was even clearer in my mind.

From atop the Griffith Observatory, the sun sets on Los Angeles. Visitors get free admission to look through telescopes and visit exhibits about space. (Cynthia Xie)
Royce Hall stands in the center of UCLA. One of the four original buildings of the campus, it has come to be a defining image for the school.

The first morning, my family and I headed to the University of Southern California. While strolling around the campus, we encountered surprises ranging from dozens of middle schoolers there for a national science olympiad to a mini photography museum hidden in the university’s cinematic arts building. As I listened to university students gossiping during lunch and stressing over coursework, the environment began to feel almost familiar to me. Every new detail, from students watching a baseball game atop a parking garage to the line that trailed out of a local coffee shop, seemed like exciting new experiences rather than abrupt changes in schedule or unwelcome distractions. Suddenly, even though the future seemed closer, it wasn’t nearly as frightening.

Later in the day, we visited the University of California, Los Angeles, arriving during golden hour. The sight of students lounging on the grass and playing an impromptu wiffle ball game brought a smile to my face, though the amount of walking up and down stairs quickly wiped the expression off my face. Yet viewing the entire campus from above “the Hill,” the nickname for the residential area, was still worthwhile as I took in the sights and sounds of college students winding down on a Saturday evening. Just a few minutes’ walk away from the more relaxed campus, the nearby Westwood Village thrummed with life as students went out to dinner with their friends or browsed chain stores like Trader Joe’s and Ulta.

Royce Hall stands in the center of UCLA. One of the four original buildings of the campus, it has come to be a defining image for the school. (Cynthia Xie)
Looking out from the balcony, city lights are visible from the Griffith Obsevratory.

In contrast to the bustling atmospheres of USC and UCLA, the University of California, San Diego’s campus was more tranquil, the air filled with sounds of nature rather than the chatter of students. There were hammocks scattered on lawns and sidewalks, and soft music echoed from hidden speakers, accompanied by the sound of flowing water. Swinging chairs and wind chimes hung enticingly on the side of each walkway, giving me a chance to sit down and breathe in the cool morning air. With each peaceful moment that passed, I envisioned mornings like these, free of the stress I had so often imagined in my future and filled instead with calming self-reflection.

Although not the primary reason for our trip, the Griffith Observatory was undoubtedly my favorite destination. From seeing the sun set upon the LA skyline to exploring fascinating exhibits about planets and space, the observatory brought back memories of childhood whimsy. I found myself gleefully darting between stations about planets and meteorites, reveling in the long-lost feeling of learning more about the world for curiosity’s sake.

Of course, I didn’t forget Griffith Observatory’s ties to one of my favorite movies of all time: “La La Land.” As I recalled the scenes where Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone stood in the same spots I did, I remembered their characters’ deep love and connection to this city: Los Angeles, the place where anyone willing to pursue their dreams can eventually live them.

Looking out from the balcony, city lights are visible from the Griffith Obsevratory. (Cynthia Xie)
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