As the world's first Universal Studios theme park, it officially opened in 1964 and remains the only complex in the world that combines a functioning film studio backlot with a theme park experience. The park is divided into upper and lower sections, allowing visitors to both immerse themselves in attractions built around beloved film and television IPs and observe up close the behind-the-scenes production craft of Hollywood filmmaking. It was undoubtedly one of the most substantial stops on this trip.

The students checked off a series of core experiences in succession:

Studio Tour. Boarding the tram, students were driven onto the actual backlot, weaving through real filming locations and special effects soundstages used in countless classic films and American TV shows, gaining a direct understanding of the production principles behind visual spectacles such as explosions and disaster scenes.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Students experienced the "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" 3D immersive attraction, riding broomsticks and joining a Quidditch match through incredibly lifelike visuals — an intensely immersive experience that made everyone feel as though they had truly stepped into the wizarding world.

Super Nintendo World. Taking on the "Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge," the attraction used AR technology to faithfully recreate game scenes, plunging everyone into the familiar world of competitive racing with an exhilarating rush.

Waterworld Live Stunt Show. This top-tier live-action performance featured jet ski chases, high-altitude stunts, explosive pyrotechnics, and a seaplane dive — hardcore special effects that delivered immense visual impact and a truly jaw-dropping spectacle.

Perched high in the hills, Griffith Observatory commands sweeping views of the Los Angeles skyline, with the iconic landmarks of the Hollywood Hills clearly visible in the distance. Inside, the exhibits are rich and extensive, systematically displaying a wide array of astronomical telescopes and equipment, covering popular science knowledge across astronomy, physics, chemistry, and other fields. The visit allowed students to step beyond their textbooks and experience the allure of the natural sciences through firsthand, intuitive engagement.

Along Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard, the students immersed themselves in the bustling energy of Los Angeles's core commercial district, taking in the unique cinematic culture and urban character that define Hollywood.

In Beverly Hills, one of America's most famous affluent neighborhoods, the students explored this upscale enclave with its immaculate, refined streets lined with luxury boutiques. It offered them a firsthand look at the urban landscape and consumer culture of an American high-end commercial district, enriching their understanding of American society.

The group checked off Santa Monica, a coastal city with 150 years of history. At the pier, students faced the magnificent expanse of the Pacific Ocean, with the sea breeze in their faces and breathtaking views all around.

The exhibits inside were extraordinarily rich, covering popular science content across biology, geography, astronomy, and many other fields — a dazzling array that kept the eyes busy at every turn. Yet the most awe-inspiring of all was undoubtedly the museum's prized artifact: the actual Space Shuttle Endeavour. Students were able to get up close and personal with this hardcore piece of aerospace technology, experiencing firsthand the grandeur and ingenuity of space exploration, and walking away with a wealth of vivid and profound new knowledge.

The students visited the Apple Park campus area, stepping into the visitor center retail store, which is open to the public, and viewing from a distance the circular headquarters building and the iconic domed structure of the Steve Jobs Theater. It was a firsthand encounter with the unique environment and atmosphere of a Silicon Valley tech giant.

It happened to be a Saturday, and street performers were singing live in the Golden Gate Bridge Park, their breezy melodies perfectly complementing the city's relaxed, laid-back rhythm. Walking up to the Golden Gate Bridge, the landmark that has appeared countless times on the Hollywood silver screen stood imposingly before them — the bridge broad and sweeping, the bay vista opening up dramatically, the sheer grandeur of the scene hitting all at once.

Fisherman's Wharf was bustling with crowds and brimming with energy. The students split off into groups — some lingered by the shore, watching colonies of sea lions lounging lazily in the sun, while others explored the street food scene, sampling authentic local delicacies.

A single tunnel separated two entirely different worlds: on one side, the streets and shops of Chinatown, steeped in the nostalgic, smoky bustle of an old neighborhood straight out of the 1980s and '90s, rich with atmosphere; on the other side, Union Square, with its soaring high-rises and rows of luxury brands, radiating the sleek sophistication of a modern metropolis. Within mere steps of each other, the contrast was striking and vivid. The students wandered freely between these two vastly different cultural contexts — shopping and browsing, while also gaining a genuine appreciation for the city's unique urban texture.