Don’t believe the hype: There’s more to Los Angeles than freeways. While they are often the quickest way to get from point A to point B, you’ll experience the city in a dramatically different way if you explore its neighborhoods.

About 60 percent of Oxy students bring a car with them. As a first-year student, you can bring one. Campus parking is free with a permit. But there are plenty of alternatives.

There’s a lot within walking distance of campus, including the burgeoning scene on nearby York Boulevard. Check out one of our Zipcars. Take one of the student-run Bengal Buses to run errands. Join the growing community of bike riders who rely on the BikeCage for repairs and camaraderie.

Or plug into public transportation. The DASH bus can get you to and from the Gold Line, the light rail system that connects Pasadena with downtown L.A., the San Fernando Valley, and Long Beach. Metro buses on Eagle Rock and York boulevards can also get you there.

Or you can always hitch a ride with a friend.