One of the things I wish I had taken more advantage of during my time at Caltech is the Caltech Y. If you’re applying, just admitted, or an underclassman reading this, consider this your sign. Go sign up for their trips. Seriously.

The Caltech Y runs some of the coolest programs on campus. They do everything from international exchanges (like trips to Geneva to talk science policy or to IIT in India to meet future research collaborators) to peaceful weekend hikes through Yosemite. And sometimes, they offer something simple but just as worth it, like a morning hike to the Hollywood Sign.

This one started with a text from a friend convincing me to give up my Saturday morning sleep-in for some fresh air. Honestly? Great call. It was one of those nice, quick hikes (around 6.5 miles round-trip) where you feel accomplished but not completely wrecked.

The trail had amazing views of LA, and at one point, we even passed horses casually coming down the trail. Because apparently, that’s just part of the experience here. LA continues to surprise me.

One of my favorite parts of Caltech Y trips is that they bring people together from across campus. Between your house, major, and usual schedule, it’s easy to go a long time without seeing people outside your immediate circle. These trips mix that up. You end up walking next to someone you’ve never met, chatting about classes or LA food recs, and by the end you’ve made a new friend or at least someone to wave to on campus.

After the hike, we finished the morning in peak LA fashion: matcha and bagels. Because no outdoor activity here is complete without something green and overpriced at the end.

So if you’re looking for a way to explore more of LA, meet people outside your usual circles, and get some movement in, check out the Caltech Y. The trips are easy to join, well-run, and a lot more fun than you’d expect for something that starts at 7:30 in the morning. Plus, sometimes there are horses. And matcha. That’s a win in my book.