Whittier College is a 75-acre campus on the eastern edge of historic Uptown Whittier, at 13406 E. Philadelphia St. From Industry Inn & Suites, in La Puente, plan your visit around the college’s tour options and visitor parking rules. You can also use the college’s campus maps to plan where to go once you arrive.
- Campus location: Painter Avenue, between Philadelphia Street and Earlham Drive.
- Guided tours: Offered on weekdays and most Saturdays; each lasts one hour.
- Parking: Visitors need a free guest parking permit from Public Safety.
- Campus maps: Interactive, printable, wheelchair accessibility and parking maps are available.
Planning a visit to Whittier College
Whittier College offers guided tours, class visits for prospective students and a virtual tour. The college is about 12 miles southeast of Los Angeles, and its campus is accessible from the 605 Freeway, which runs between Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
The Office of Admission offers one-hour guided campus tours on weekdays and most Saturdays. Prospective students can register for a class visit to sit in on a class with Whittier College faculty. If you are exploring from home first, the college also provides an interactive self-guided virtual campus tour.
High school counselors and teachers can request a group visit. The Campus Visit Coordinator reviews those requests within two business days. Check the college’s official visit information for current tour arrangements and registration details before making plans.
Campus access and visitor information
Visitors should plan to enter only areas open to the public and use the college’s maps to find their destination. The campus directory includes interactive and printable campus maps, a wheelchair accessibility map and a parking map.
Some buildings are not open to the general public, and entry may be denied without a legitimate reason. The college identifies Weingart Hall, Mendenhall and the Ruth B.
Shannon Center for the Performing Arts at the corner of Philadelphia and Painter. If you are attending a class visit or event, confirm where you are expected to go rather than assuming every building is open to visitors.
Campus access is restricted after 11 p.m. to faculty, staff, students and their invitees. For current visitor and access rules, check the official site before you go.
How do you get to Whittier College from La Puente?
Whittier College is in Uptown Whittier, on Painter Avenue between Philadelphia Street and Earlham Drive. The college says the campus is accessible from the 605 Freeway, a route running between Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
Use the full campus address, 13406 E. Philadelphia St., Whittier, CA 90602, when planning your trip. La Puente is the starting point for this campus trip; its visitor’s guide to the La Puente area covers the surroundings.
Once you reach the campus area, the college’s parking map can help you identify the relevant lot. If your destination is Weingart Hall, Mendenhall or the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts, note that these are at the corner of Philadelphia and Painter.
Whittier College visitor parking and arrival planning
All visitors must obtain a free guest parking permit from the Public Safety Department, where permits are available 24 hours a day. Vehicles using campus parking lots must be registered with Public Safety; unregistered vehicles may be towed at the owner’s expense.
From Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., park in a designated visitor space or an unmarked general parking space. After 5 p.m., visitors may use any open space except one marked “Reserved 24-Hours.” Event parking depends on your destination:
- Athletics events: Memorial Stadium, Canyon Drive, College Hall or Amphitheatre parking lots.
- Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts or Memorial Chapel: Shannon Center, Mendenhall or Music Department parking lots.
- AJ Villalobos Hall or the Campus Center: Campus Center, Science Building or Amphitheatre parking lots.
Check the college’s parking map and confirm the relevant visitor instructions before setting out, especially if you are attending an event. That lets you match your destination to the correct parking area and take care of the permit requirement.
FAQs
How long is a Whittier College campus tour?
The college’s guided campus tours last one hour and are offered on weekdays and most Saturdays.
Is visitor parking at Whittier College free?
The guest parking permit is free, but visitors must obtain one from the Public Safety Department. Vehicles parked in campus lots must also be registered with Public Safety.
Where is Whittier College located?
The campus address is 13406 E. Philadelphia St., Whittier, CA 90602. It is on Painter Avenue between Philadelphia Street and Earlham Drive, at the eastern edge of historic Uptown Whittier.
Can visitors enter every campus building?
No. Some buildings are not open to the general public, and entry may be denied without a legitimate reason.