uc san diego campus tour

Visiting & Tours

Discover uc san diego.

UC San Diego’s campus offers more than just salt air, sunshine and sweeping ocean views. From state-of the-art labs and research facilities to innovative spaces for exploring art and fostering creativity, it’s a destination for bold thinkers and curious minds. Come visit us and discover what it means to be a Triton. Your next big adventure could start here.

Explore our beautiful seaside campus virtually, in person or both—and see what makes UC San Diego the perfect environment to make a big impact. Discover our world-renowned public art collection, marvel at unique architecture or walk along Scripps Pier, where researchers are working to solve the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Tours are very limited at this time.

• Office of Admissions Tours
• Stuart Collection Tours
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography Tours

GETTING TO CAMPUS

Arriving by car? Our La Jolla campus is conveniently located just off I-5. Visitors can purchase hourly parking at parking pay stations or on their mobile device.

Campus Driving Directions

PUBLIC TRANSIT

Whether you’re arriving by bus, the COASTER train or the Blue Line Trolley that connects our La Jolla campus to the local San Diego community and beyond, we’ve got you covered.

Public Transportation Information

GETTING AROUND CAMPUS

Ready to explore? You might prefer the path less traveled, but if you’re short on time, our campus maps, waypoint indicators and shuttles can help ensure you hit all the campus highlights.

• Campus Maps
• Visitor Parking
• Triton Transit
• Campus Waypoint Location Markers

As a destination for entertainment, inspiration abounds at UC San Diego. From lectures and workshops to concerts and cultural heritage events, we offer ample opportunities to expand your mind beyond the pages of a textbook.

CAMPUS EVENTS

With new and unique offerings every day, there’s something for everyone on our campus calendar.

Campus Calendar of Events

Epstein Family Amphitheater

Our state-of-the-art outdoor entertainment venue is designed with entertainers of the highest caliber in mind.

Amphitheater Events Calendar

We’ve curated a lineup of performing and media arts events to engage, energize and transform the diverse cultural life of the university and San Diego.

ArtPower Events Calendar

Student Events

Embrace your curiosity and form new connections with a full lineup of student-focused events designed to enrich your UC San Diego experience.

Student Events Calendar

Join the sea of blue and gold and cheer our Division I scholar-athletes to victory. There’s never been a more exciting time to be a Triton.

• Triton Box Office
• Game Schedule
• Sports Summer Camps

ARTS AT UC SAN DIEGO

Explore UC San Diego’s wealth of arts events, installations, screenings and more.

Life at UC San Diego

Dining on campus, places to eat at uc san diego.

From late-night eats and coffee shops to a variety of international cuisines, our campus offers dining options to suit every palate.

University Centers Dining

Boba drinks, Indian street food and Thai fusion dishes are just a few of the many offerings within our University Centers, which are home to both locally owned restaurants and well-known national chains.

UC San Diego Housing, Dining and Hospitality: Restaurants and Markets

With an exclusively vegan eatery and lounge, the largest halal-certified residential dining facility in the nation and certified kosher menu options—all with a focus on sustainability—eating on campus has never been easier.

All the Essentials

Uc san diego bookstore.

Stock up on everything from textbooks and computers to the latest Triton gear at the UC San Diego Bookstore, located in Price Center East. Visit the bookstore’s Sunshine Market for convenient grab-n-go products including snacks, groceries and home and dorm essentials.

University Centers Shops & Services

A full-service salon, a bike & skate shop, an Amazon pickup location and more: you’ll find it all here on campus.

Our Target campus store is unique and provides a curated assortment of products and services tailored to the specific needs and wants of students, staff and faculty. It even includes a CVS Pharmacy.

Work Hard, Play Hard

Take a yoga class, navigate our challenge course, learn how to surf or face off against your fellow Tritons in a game of basketball. Between our countless recreational offerings and the year-round Southern California sunshine, it’s easy to stay active both on and off campus.

La Jolla Playhouse

Our campus is home to the Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse, a professional, not-for-profit venue that’s gained nationwide recognition as “the place to see what’s next on the American theatre landscape.”

Craft Center

Our reimagined 11,000 square-foot Craft Center offers classes and workshops ranging from ceramics and woodworking to culinary arts and surfboard shaping.

With study spaces, labs and access to the largest university research library system in the world, the Library is the perfect place to follow your curiosity and think outside the box.

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Additional Services

Campus visits to uc san diego.

Are you a school or district looking to bring a large group of students to UC San Diego and provide them with a personalized, culturally appropriate, unique, and engaging experience? EAOP is able to meet your campus visit needs and can also provide content specific immersive activities, catering services, space reservations, and other personalized elements. Schedule a consultation with EAOP staff to find out more about prices and options for our group.

Personalized Experiences

Schedule a Calendly consultation call with us so that we can understand your logistical needs and then determine the level of support we can provide.

Schedule a Consultation

Explore UC San Diego

Our campus visit office should be your first choice when looking for UC San Diego information. You can find virtual tours, group tours, self-guided tours, and small group visits (11).

Campus Tour Office

Who we are: 

The Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) at UC San Diego is part of the UC Office of the President's Student Academic Preparation and Educational Partnerships (SAPEP) portfolio whose collective goal is to raise achievement levels and close achievement gaps among targeted student groups across California public schools, from pre-K to postgraduate.

SAPEP programs, particularly EAOP, were created to reduce disparities in college access and preparation levels among public school students. EAOP does not exclusively promote UC San Diego. Rather, EAOP works with students to explore their personal and unique needs and interests in their pursuit of postsecondary education, while at the same time acknowledging the particular strengths of higher education systems that can help meet their goals. 

EAOP at UC San Diego maintains relationships and partnerships with several school sites within the San Diego - Central, San Diego - South Bay, and Imperial Valley regions. At these locations listed below, EAOP maintains a physical presence and offers more in-depth, one-on-one advising to students who wish to enroll in our program. 

Who we are not:

EAOP is not the admissions office or the campus tour office. If you are looking for information regarding UC San Diego admissions or an official campus tour request, please visit the following page: UC San Diego Enrollment Management (Admissions/Financial Aid).  Although EAOP offers guidance on higher education and the admissions process to the various college systems, these are our opinions and guidance alone and do not represent the opinions of UC San Diego and campus admissions staff.

Service Requirements:

Requirements for any EAOP services: At least 50% first generation, low-income, underrepresented, minority students Data: Full Name, Grade Level, School, Student ID2, Date of Birth, Ethnicity Request period window: all requests must be made at least two weeks in advance Requesting group must have completed waivers and parent permission slips We require permission to take pictures and film of your group Fully completed data sheet prior to arrival on campus How Does our Student Data Get Used Our data gets entered into our database Lacai where it remains according to our data retention and destruction policy outlined below. Periodic reports are run to help EAOP understand the population we serve and support, ensure that our services are reaching our target populations, show the reach of our program, and prepare annual reports. Our annual report also includes a narrative section where we elaborate on our efforts in cases where we were not able to capture specific student, parent, and educator information. This report influences the level of funding that our program obtains annually. Therefore, the data ensures that we are meeting our program objectives to create greater access and opportunity for underserved youth and ensures sustained program funding in years to come. Individual data we collect is never shared with any other campus department or entity besides the UC Office of the President which compiles SAPEP data annually for their conglomerate statewide reports. All other data is shared only in summary statistics indistinguishable to an individual level. Data Retention and Destruction Policy EAOP retains any organizational data including sign-in sheets, google forms, data sets, and program applications for a period of 5 years after the last annual reporting period of inclusion and purges it in accordance with FERPA guidelines through secure file shredding and cloud storage file deletion.

VISITING & TOURS

Step into our world.

We can show you pictures galore, but there is no substitute for getting immersed in the bustle of student life, exploring experimental research centers and soaking up the ocean views. Stop by for a visit. We would love to show you around.

PROSPECTIVE STUDENT TOURS

Gain insight into admission criteria, talk to current students and take in the sights.

Triton Tours

Prospective student tours include an admission information session and walking tour led by current students.

School Groups

For groups of 11 or more students from schools, service clubs or Community Based Organizations.

Virtual Tour

Get an inside look at UC San Diego from anywhere in the world online or from your mobile device.

Attend a Class

Sit in on a university lecture, experience classroom dynamics and imagine yourself as a Triton.

GETTING HERE

We are eager to meet you and give you the grand tour. Learn more details on how to find us, park and navigate the campus.

• Student Tour Directions & Parking
• General Campus Driving Directions
• General Visitor Parking

Interactive Campus Map

PUBLIC TOURS

Discover the vibrant neighborhoods, sustainable architecture, public art collection and diverse history of UC San Diego. Our free walking, bus and green building tours—geared for the general public—happen every Sunday afternoon and highlight our origins, art and architecture.

ADDITIONAL CAMPUS TOURS

• Get to know Scripps Institution of Oceanography , one of the first centers for ocean, Earth and atmospheric science.
• Take a free, self-guided tour of the Stuart Collection , a public art collection perfect for families and art aficionados alike. 
• An essential study haven, a repository for renowned collections and an architectural icon. Take a tour of Geisel Library .

Guided Tour and Presentation

Tours are designed for prospective, current UC San Diego Students, Academic Counselors, UC San Diego faculty/ staff/administrators, and general guests. No guided tours will be offered from Sep 23 rd  - Sep 27th.

Admissions Officer presentation is included.

Completely outdoor walking tour led by current UC San Diego Campus Ambassadors.

Space is Limited

Due to COVID-19 safety protocols and staffing, space is limited.

To provide a tour experience to as many students as possible we are only able to allow 4 guests per registrant.

We will be unable to accommodate walk-on guests not included in your registration however, they are able to explore campus on their own with our Self-Guided tour .

Experience UC San Diego

Virtually explore UC San Diego in a fully immersive 360-degree experience.

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Q&A with the Visitors Tour Program

You don't have to take a class to learn something new at UC San Diego. Just take a tour. Every Sunday, knowledgeable adult volunteer guides offer free tours of the campus through the UC San Diego Visitors Tour program. The guides present a general overview of our 1,200-acre campus, imparting their insight about UC San Diego's history, architecture, and our mission of education, research and public service. This interview features a conversation with the program's director and three of the tour guides; keep reading and you'll probably learn something you didn't know about our university. For more information on the bus and walking tours, click here .

What is your connection to the campus — past and present?

Corlyn Vance: I came onto campus in 1972 to work at the School of Medicine as the administrator for the Associate Dean of Medical Education. It was after I retired that I got the call to create the Visitors Tour program, and now it is my job to help and support the guides. I spend my time on campus going to music concerts, art exhibits and lectures, and visiting Geisel Library. I like to see Dr. Seuss's notes and drawings, and try to figure out how his mind worked. The campus offers stimulation and continued learning, and there is always something going on.

Bob Starkey: I started at UC San Diego in 1967 when Revelle College was the only college on campus. I spent 39 years, most of my working life, as a UC San Diego employee in the Campus Planning Office. I was in a position to see many of the changes at the development stage, and as they were implemented. I was lucky enough to know many of the bright, forward-thinking and creative faculty and administrators who started the campus. I am now a member of Chancellor's Associates and we have regular events on campus. I'm also on the board for the Faculty Club so I participate in their events, and I like to remind people that the Faculty Club is open for membership to all faculty, staff and community members. I go to lectures and plays. I probably spend one or two nights a week doing something on campus. In fact, I'm on campus every day because I use the athletic facilities.

John Meyers: I was an Ob-Gyn doctor in the late 60s when the UC San Diego School of Medicine opened. I was among the first doctors from the community to volunteer as a faculty member. After I retired from private practice and teaching in 1982, I was recruited by a friend to volunteer as a campus tour guide. Now, my wife and I are subscribers to the La Jolla Playhouse, and we've been Chancellor's Associates for the past 15 years. We were also long-time members of the "Friends of the UCSD Theatre" support group during the many years that that organization was active. I also enjoy the eating experience on campus, student dining facilities like the Bistro and the Faculty Club as well.

Jill Holmes: I'm the newest kid on the block. I got my post master's nurse practitioner certificate from UC San Diego when they had the program. After graduation, I worked at the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and helped one of the psychiatrists open the Senior Behavioral Health unit. I retired in 2001, and had a neighbor who was a tour guide and she recruited me. I'm now a member of Town and Gown, and I enjoy lectures and classes at UC San Diego Extension.

How are your tours different from the campus' student-led tours?

Bob: Student tours cover student life, classes, schedules, living quarters, student organizations, all the things the students need and want to know about. Our tours cover campus buildings and architecture and history.

John: Our tour is designed for members of the public who want to know more about the campus in general.

What are the differences between your bus and walking tours?

Bob: The walking tours take you through the heart of campus, which you can't drive through. And the bus tours give you a better feel of the entire campus, by taking you through the main campus and down to Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Corlyn: You can't cover our 1,200-acre campus in a walking tour. I think the bus tours are a great way to start because then you can figure out what you're interested in—the art gallery, the Stuart Collection, the libraries—and come back and spend more time there.

John: I think the tours are complementary. You can take the bus tour to get the big picture, and then take the walking tour and get the heart and feel of being on the campus in the midst of students and activities.

Corlyn: Also, part of my job is to update the tour guide scripts, and I do that weekly. The scripts are always changing because the campus is always changing. It shows that we're cutting-edge. We also meet with faculty regularly to discuss the salient points they want us to explain to the public as we give our tours. Next year, we're going to do more architectural tours.

Why should people take a campus tour?

Jill: To discover the aspects of the campus that aren't widely known, such as the powerhouse research that happens here, and that the campus has generated many of our local biotech companies. I love it when community members take the tours, especially when they're new to town, and they realize what a resource the campus is, and that it's so prestigious. We also have one of the greatest collections of mid-century architecture by renowned architects. We don't have the Tower of Pisa, but we have plenty to see here.

John: People should take tours to have some fun, to learn something interesting and to be adventurous. You can ride around in a comfortable 19-passenger bus while an experienced guide points out various campus features and buildings, and tells you all about UC San Diego. And the tour takes you by Scripps Institution of Oceanography, one of the oldest and largest oceanography centers in the country, and by Birch Aquarium. You'll learn about these two famous institutions—what they look like, how they relate to each other, why they're world-renowned, how they contribute to the local and global economies, and their enormous scientific contributions to San Diego, the state, the nation and the world.

What is your favorite piece of UC San Diego trivia or folklore?

John: Many contemporary UC San Diego folk are unaware of the existence of a web of underground passageways between buildings in the main campus. They are big enough to walk through. They contain utility lines and pipes, and are only accessible to selected maintenance personnel. They have been locked and inaccessible to the public for so long that only the "old timers" know about them.

Bob: Recently a student told me he heard that the Geisel Library was sinking—that the architect did not figure the weight of the books in its design. A few days later I saw my friend, Boone Hellman, the Associate Vice Chancellor of Design and Construction, and asked him about the rumor. He laughed, said he had never heard that, but that there is absolutely no truth to the story.

Jill: The Geisel library has appeared as an iconic building in a variety of ways—in movies, television series and in a Kohler plumbing commercial.

What do you like best about the campus today?

Jill: I like that it's never static; it's always changing. I've lived near four UC campuses, and there's always a crane somewhere. We have to stay on the cutting-edge, even though our state funding is decreasing.

Bob: I need to point out that 85 percent of the current and planned construction on campus is not funded by the state; it's student-funded, contract or grant funded, or funded by donors.

John: The other thing is that several years ago, when our state budget was much better and we passed various bond measures, money was allocated for construction on our campus. Current projects that you see now have been in the pipeline for a long time; it takes a number of years to translate that into contracts and building. I am also pleased with how well the natural environment has been preserved in the midst of the explosive growth of construction. And I appreciate the campus's determination to remain energy efficient, to reduce fossil fuel usage, and to construct all new buildings in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards. The campus is exciting, creative, active and growing. It's like a beautiful plant that keeps blossoming.

Bob: I love how well the campus has responded to dramatic funding reductions while maintaining the quality of education it provides, and how well the community has assisted our efforts. We have excellent relations between the campus and the community. And I'm always impressed to see the many new start-up companies — many on the Torrey Pines mesa — which have been started by faculty, researchers and alumni from UC San Diego. I'm also impressed with the quality of research here, which I regularly read about in the paper. The Preuss School is also a great source of pride for UC San Diego, as it provides a college-prep education for first-generation students and it is nationally recognized as one of the best high schools in the country.

How has the campus changed over the last five decades?

Bob: Of course, there are the obvious things like the growth of the campus — the number of students and faculty, and the budget. But it's also how our reputation has changed. We started as a small, very great place that nobody knew about. And now I meet with international students who say everybody knows this is the place to come. We're also always at the top of various rankings. It's clear we're one of the best.

Corlyn: The faculty has always been top-notch, and I think people recognize that. But I think one of the big changes is how our local community has taken us in, accepted us, and realized what a great resource this campus is. Our teaching and research are always ahead of their time, like with the addition of the new Medical Education-Telemedicine building. And I think that adds to our reputation.

John: I think the campus is like a promising young person who has really grown and blossomed, and shown the world his or her full capabilities. Having been on the campus scene for 25-plus years, I have had the opportunity to witness the expansion of the programs, the construction of new buildings, and I've known many of the university's past and present leaders.

Jill: We're also beginning to see distinguished alumni, Craig Venter being one of them, getting recognition. For instance, there was an article in The Wall Street Journal about who's going to be the next Steve Jobs, the next big innovator, and Craig's name was mentioned.

What is the best part of being a tour guide?

Bob: I just can't get away from the campus after spending so much time here as a staff member. I consider giving campus tours a win-win—I love to talk about the campus and I can pass on to others some of why I love it.

John: I am a teacher at heart. I love to share information. I get a lot of pleasure out of how amazed and impressed our visitors are when they discover the treasure trove of intellectual riches right here in our community. It's also fun to take groups of alumni around and see how amazed they are about what's here now that wasn't here when they were here. And what was here that they didn't even know about.

Favorite place on campus:

• John: The Price Center
• Bob: The Faculty Club
• Jill: The northwest neighborhood
• Corlyn: Geisel Library

Favorite new addition to campus:

• Corlyn: The Medical Education-Telemedicine building
• John: Me too, because I am a physician and it's a state-of-the-art teaching facility
• Bob: The Village at Torrey Pines
• Jill: The Rady School of Management and the Sulpizio Family Cardiovascular Center

Favorite UC San Diego tradition:

• John: The Watermelon Drop at Revelle College
• Corlyn: Me too
• Bob: Same, and the Sun God Festival
• Jill: Sun God

Favorite Stuart Collection piece:

• Bob: Sun God, Snake Path, Bear and Standing
• John: Sun God
• Jill: The Table
• Corlyn: Sun God

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UC San Diego Library Tours

Named in honor of Audrey and Theodor Seuss Geisel, the Geisel Library building is a UC San Diego landmark.

Virtual Tours of Geisel Library

Explore Geisel Library’s 1st and 2nd Floors online through the Virtual Library Tour to learn about library spaces and services that support the UC San Diego community.

Self-Guided Tours of Geisel Library

Excluding the first week of the Fall quarter and the last two weeks of each quarter during the academic year (see the campus calendar for details), Geisel Library is open for self-guided tours. Visitors are welcome to explore the 1st and 2nd Floors of this iconic building, which are designed for collaboration, social learning, and user/staff interaction. Because Floors 4-8 are designated for quiet or silent study, visitors are not permitted on these upper floors. Download the Geisel Library Building Guide . Library visitors are asked to respect the needs of the campus community by minimizing interference, keeping voices moderate, not blocking traffic, and keeping visits short.

Subject, Discipline, or Course-Specific Tours

Tours of Geisel Library or WongAvery Library, conducted by subject-specialist librarians, may be available during business hours on weekdays for UC San Diego classes, departments, and Visiting Scholars. Interested parties in these eligible groups may contact the appropriate librarian directly to arrange such a tour, which may be of either library building depending on the subject, discipline, or course.

Architecture-Related Resources

Please see the resources provided by Jason Schulz, Director of Library Facilities and architecture specialist.

• Geisel Library Architectural History
• Library Guide to source material and information about Geisel Library

Contact Jason Schulz with any further architecture-related questions and inquiries.

UC San Diego Campus Tours

Discover the history, art, and architecture of the UC San Diego campus — from world-famous buildings to historic eucalyptus groves and renowned public artwork. Free walking, bus, and green building tours are held year-round by the UC San Diego Visitors Tour Program and showcase the most notable features of the 1,200 acre campus. You can also view a virtual tour of campus.

Comments or Questions?

Send questions, comments, and suggestions to [email protected] .

• Virtual Library Tour

Directions & Parking

UC San Diego’s coastal campus spans 1,200 scenic acres and all tours last up to two hours. Review the instructions below before arrival to ensure you arrive on time and park in the most convenient location.

Where to Park? Depends When You Visit.

Park in Regents Rd West Lot (P704) and pay for parking at one of the nearby kiosks. Take the North Campus Shuttle (the bus with the blue "N") to Price Center Loop. Exit the shuttle and follow the tour guides or signs to the Triton Center.

View Lot P704 Map

Park in the Gilman Structure for free. Follow walking signs to the Triton Center.

View Gilman Structure

Paying for Parking

You must purchase a permit to park on campus Monday - Friday.

Visitors who need hourly ($3/hour) or daily ($30/day) parking can purchase pay station permits.

Triton Tours will need a minimum of 4 hours.

Pay stations sell Visitor (V) permits. Pay stations do not dispense change. Pay with any combination of the following:

Cash — $1 and $5 bills only

Visa, MasterCard or American Express

A properly dated V pay station permit provides visitor parking in these spaces:

• V : 24 hours daily
• S : 24 hours daily
• Valid in lot P207 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. only
• Not valid where posted “A permit required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week”
• Never valid in: Lot P604

Parking is free on Saturdays.

Parking with Disabled Person Plates or Placard

Our tours are accessible for all visitors with disabilities.

Be sure to review the parking information for disabled placards or license plates .

Parking at meters is strongly discouraged. Meters do not allow enough time for you to complete a Triton Tour.

ParkMobile lets you easily pay for on-street and off-street parking right from your mobile device. You can also reserve parking ahead of time.

Individuals who do not carry smartphones can also pay for parking with ParkMobile by calling (877) 727-5932.

Alternative Transporation to Campus

Lyft to the Triton Center

Ridesharing matches you with a nearby driver who will pick you up and take you where you want to go. Lyft is the app you use to get a ride in minutes.

First time Lyft riders can enjoy $5 off your ride. Offer available to Friends and Family of UC San Diego.

• Once you arrive
• Group tours

View the Triton Tours Map .

Driving Directions: I-5 to Campus Parking Structures

UC San Diego is located adjacent to the I-5 freeway, between Gilman Drive to the south and Genesee Avenue to the north.

Directions from I-5 to Parking Lot P704 (Monday - Friday)

• Exit Genesee Avenue (exit 29) and go east
• Turn right on Campus Point Drive
• Turn left on Voigt Drive
• Turn right into Lot P704
• Purchase a parking pass at designated kiosk (make sure your pass is valid for at least 3 hours)
• Note: Using google maps, enter Regents Road West Lot into your GPS for navigational assistance.

Directions from I-5 to Gilman Parking Structure (Saturdays)

• Exit La Jolla Village Drive (exit 28) and go west
• Turn right at first stoplight, Villa La Jolla Drive, and move into the left lane
• Drive straight to enter the Gilman Parking Structure
• Follow directional signs from the parking structure to the Triton Center

Once You Arrive: Getting to the Triton Center

Triton Tours start at the Triton Center on the 1st floor of the Student Services Center (corner of Myers Drive and Rupertus Lane).

Shuttle Directions from Parking Lot P704 (Monday - Friday)

• There are three shuttles that easily transport you to main campus! Take the North Campus (Blue N), Mesa Nueva (Purple M), or Hillcrest shuttle (Red H) to central campus.
• Exit the bus and follow the signs to the Triton Center, just a quick walk away

Walking Directions from Gilman Parking Structure (Saturdays)

• Walk north along Russell Drive
• Turn left onto Rupertus Way
• The 5-story Student Services Center will be ahead of you ahead of you, slightly to your right
• Follow the signs to the Triton Center, located on the 1st floor (southwest side)

Bus & Van Parking: Group Tours

To make your group transportation as smooth as possible, we recommend giving this information to your Transportation Department and bus driver prior to your tour date.

Requests & Suggestions

• Allow adequate time for construction on campus and getting to the Campus Tours Office.
• When unloading, please keep a close eye on your students.
• Ask the staff at the Triton Center front desk for a map upon your arrival.

Directions to Group Tour Drop-Off

• From Interstate 5, exit La Jolla Village Drive (exit 28) and go west
• Proceed past the stoplight at Villa La Jolla Drive and move into the right lane
• Take the right-hand turnoff (Gilman Drive)
• Turn right onto Gilman Drive
• Turn left at the stoplight onto Myers Drive
• Turn right at the stop sign onto Rupertus Way
• Drop off students and chaperones at the shuttle/bus stop on the right
• Chaperones must check in upon arrival at the Campus Tours Office, located directly across the street
• Drivers must continue to bus parking

Parking: Buses with E (Exempt) Plates

Buses with E (exempt) plates are permitted to park at the   Bus zone on Pangea Drive

• At the end of Rupertus Way, turn right onto Russell Lane
• Turn right at the stoplight onto Gilman Drive
• Stay right to merge onto La Jolla Village Drive (which becomes N. Torrey Pines Rd)
• Turn right onto Pangea Drive and park in the bus zones directly on the left and right

Parking: Vans and Buses without E (Exempt) Plates

Vans and buses without E (exempt) plates are only permitted to park in Parking lot P704

• Turn left at the stoplight onto Gilman Drive
• Turn right at the stop sign onto Voigt Drive
• Cross over the freeway and go past Preuss School (on left)
• Turn left into parking lot P704
• Buses with E (exempt) plates may park anywhere in this lot for FREE
• Other vehicles are required to purchase permit(s) at the machine in the lot, or ahead of time at the Visitor Information Center on Gilman Drive. (Note: If the driver is staying with the bus, no fee is required.)

We're happy to help

Tours for the public.

If you're not a prospective student, parent or counselor, public tours are perfect for you.

View Public Tours

Questions? Contact Us

For more tour information, parking directions or other questions, contact our Campus Tours Office at (858) 822-4750.

Email Campus Tours

First-year requirements

• Subject requirement (A-G)
• GPA requirement
• Admission by exception
• English language proficiency
• UC graduation requirements

Additional information for

• California residents
• Out-of-state students
• Home-schooled students

Transfer requirements

• Understanding UC transfer
• Preparing to transfer
• UC transfer programs
• Transfer planning tools

International applicants

• Applying for admission
• English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS)
• Passports & visas
• Living accommodations
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UC San Diego

Sun. Sea. Surfing. Our campus at UC San Diego has plenty of obvious charms.

But you’ll also find one of the world’s leading research universities—second in the world, to be exact—and over 130 undergraduate courses across five disciplines.

San Diego puts a different spin on what it means to be a university. It’s not just about your subject, but what you choose to focus on. There are eight colleges in total, each with its own theme and educational requirements. Students get to make their own choice, and see where they fit.

There’s an impressive and award-winning faculty too, including Five Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, Fields Medal winners, Tony winners, Oscar winners...

The weather is incredible. The facilities are world-class. You’re sure to be swept away by life at UC San Diego.

First-year admit stats

Applicants: 134,444

Admits:  35,984

Overall admit rate:  26.8 %

See more freshman stats

Transfer admit stats

Applicants:  22,488

Admits:  12,298

Overall admit rate:  54.7 %

See more transfer stats

Admissions contact information

UC San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla, CA 92093 (858) 534-2230 Office of Admissions Student Services Center, 1st Floor (858) 534-4831 TTY: (858) 822-1699 Recorded information (858) 822-5669 [email protected]  

More campus contacts

Early Childhood Education Center MC 0962, 9500 Gilman Drive (858) 246-0900 Financial Aid Office Student Services Center, 3rd Floor (858) 534-4480 [email protected] Housing [email protected]  

International Admissions Specialists (858) 534-4831 [email protected] Office for Students With Disabilities Building 202, University Center Voice: (858) 534-4382 TTY: (858) 534-9709 Registrar Student Services Center, 2nd Floor (858) 534-3150 [email protected] Residence Deputy (858) 534-3150 [email protected] Tour Information and Reservations Student Services Center, 1st Floor (858) 822-4750 [email protected] Veterans Information (858) 534-4831  [email protected]

Additional resources

• College Selection
• General Catalog
• UC San Diego Viewbook
• UC San Diego Bookstore

San Diego up close

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• Financial aid

Plan a visit

• Visitor information
• Virtual tour

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, what's the process for uc san diego campus tours.

Hey guys, I've been thinking about visiting UC San Diego, but I'm not sure where to start. Does anyone know how the campus tour process works? Do I have to reserve a spot, and if so, how far in advance do I need to book it?

Visiting a college campus can indeed be a great way to get a feel for the atmosphere and whether it might be the right fit for you. So, your interest in touring UC San Diego is a good move!

To answer your question, yes, you typically need to reserve a spot for a guided campus tour at UC San Diego. These tours are led by current students who can offer first-hand insights about the university environment and lifestyle.

Here's how you would generally go about scheduling a tour:

1. Visit the UC San Diego website: You can find information about campus tours under the Admissions or Visit Campus sections. Look for links or buttons that say "Schedule a Tour" or something similar.

2. Choose a tour date and time: The website usually will let you choose a date and time based on availability. Tours typically are offered multiple times per day, but their schedules can vary, especially during holidays or university break periods.

3. Register for the tour: After you've selected a date and time, you'll probably be asked to complete a registration process, which typically involves providing some basic information about yourself. Make sure to keep a copy of your registration or any confirmation email you might receive.

As for how far in advance you need to book the tour, it's usually a good idea to schedule at least a few weeks ahead, or even several months if you can, to ensure you have a spot on the date that works best for you. Some popular tour times can fill up quickly, especially during busy times such as summer or weekends.

While visiting, it might also be worthwhile to attend a general information session, if offered. These sessions are usually conducted by admissions representatives and can provide additional useful information about admissions criteria, academic programs, housing options, and student life.

Remember, if you can't make it to UC San Diego for an in-person tour, many schools now offer virtual tours, which are a great secondary option. You can check to see if UC San Diego offers this on their visit website or contact them directly for more information.

Hope this helps, and enjoy your visit to UC San Diego!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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Visit Campus

Visitors who need hourly or daily parking can purchase hourly parking at parking pay stations or on their mobile device .

La Jolla Academic Campus

Visitor (V) Parking Rates (ParkMobile zone 4752)

• 30 minutes or less: no charge
• Each additional hour: $4.50 (daily maximum $36)
• After 5 p.m. weekdays and on weekends: $2.25/hr. (maximum $9)

Other Public Parking Options

• D lots: $5/day (ParkMobile zone 4762)
• Super Saver lots: $3.50/day (ParkMobile zone 4767)

Pay Stations

Pay stations sell Visitor (V) permits. Pay stations do not dispense change. Pay with any combination of the following:

• Visa, MasterCard or American Express
• Pay with ParkMobile — Pay for and extend parking sessions

License plates that drivers provide to the university through the ParkMobile and parking pay stations may be joined to DMV vehicle information (e.g. make and model) to complete the required registration to park on campus ( PPM 545-2 ).

A properly dated V pay station permit provides visitor parking in these spaces:

• V : 24 hours daily
• D : 24 hours daily
• S : 4 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. daily
• B : 4 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. daily
• A : 5 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. daily (not valid where posted “A permit required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”)

Note: You need approved access for lots P001–P017 (SIO), P385 (Sanford Consortium) and P706 (Preuss School). See lots that require access permissions .

UC San Diego Health – La Jolla

Warning:  UC San Diego Health staff may not park in reserved patient/visitor parking areas except as a patient or visitor. Violators may receive costly citations.

• Observe patient/visitor parking regulations 24 hours daily, including weekends. No permit is required on university-designated holidays .
• Complimentary disabled parking is available in accessible spaces when you display a valid Disabled Person placard or plates.
• Pay with ParkMobile
• Cash — $1 and $5 bills only

Self-Park and Valet Rates

Where available, valet service is offered weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. only.

• 0–3 hours: $6
• Each additional hour: $2.25 (maximum $18 per day)

UC San Diego Health – Hillcrest

Contractor parking permits.

For parking purposes, a contractor is defined as any external company that provides construction, construction-related maintenance and repair, or utility infrastructure services to UC San Diego. Contractors who must park on university property while performing these services may choose from several parking options , depending on the job size and duration.

Conference Parking

If you are attending a conference on the UC San Diego campus, you can choose from these parking options. Online permits are available June 17 through Sept. 9, 2024.

Pay with the ParkMobile App

• Rate: $8/day
• Valid in these spaces: S and B , 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Access Your ParkMobile Account

Most people prefer to access ParkMobile using their mobile app; however, you can also manage your ParkMobile account or pay for parking on the ParkMobile website. Log into your ParkMobile account .

Get the ParkMobile App

• Conference Services guests park in any B or S parking space in a campus parking lot.
• Enter zone number 47800.
• Confirm your information, including location, license plate, time and cost.

Other Payment Options

We recommend using the ParkMobile app for the best virtual access experience. If you are unable to use the app, you can use this web option .

Online Parking Permits

7-Day B (consecutive days)

• S : 24 hours daily
• B : 4 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. weekdays and all day on weekends
• A : 4 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. weekdays and all day on weekends; not valid where posted “A permit required 24 hours a day/7 days a week.”
• Patient/Visitor spaces
• Gilman Parking Structure
• Rate: $82.50
• Valid in these spaces: Lots P703 , P704 , P705 , P782 and P386
• D : 24 hours daily; no overnight and weekend parking in P386
• S : 4 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. weekdays and all day on weekends

How to Purchase Permits Online

• Go to online sales .
• Select “Get Permits.”
• Select “Guest Account.”
• Click the “register here” link to create your guest account.
• After completing your guest user registration, select “Guest Account” and login.
• Your vehicle information (make, model and license plate number)
• A valid Visa, Mastercard, American Express card or student account
• Access to a printer to print your permit which will be attached to your email receipt

Need to Use a Different Vehicle?

See Adding a Vehicle to Your Permit .

Note: If you are renting a vehicle after purchasing a parking permit, use your own vehicle information until you get your rented vehicle. Then, you can add the rented vehicle information to your account so you can use the permit you originally purchased and printed.

Getting Around Campus

While visiting campus use our convenient shuttle system to get from one place to another. See Triton Transit routes and schedules .

Visiting UC Faculty and Staff

The systemwide parking reciprocity policy provides limited complimentary or discounted parking permits for UC faculty and staff who conduct business at other campuses.

UC San Diego visitors

Visiting UC faculty and staff who hold annual permits at their home campuses are eligible for up to 5 consecutive days of complimentary parking at UC San Diego.

• Purchase a parking permit if your visit will exceed five days.
• Obtain your complimentary parking permit by presenting your valid UC ID and current home campus parking permit or receipt of purchase at our Gilman parking office.

UC San Diego faculty and staff visiting other campuses

Reciprocal parking privileges vary by campus. If you plan to conduct business at another campus, contact its parking office for details:

• Los Angeles
• San Francisco
• Santa Barbara

Note: Reciprocal parking privileges do not apply to UC students. Students visiting another campus must pay for parking.

Vice Chancellor

First-Year Students

Directions & parking.

UC San Diego’s coastal campus spans 1,976 scenic acres and all tours last up to two hours. Review the instructions below before arrival to ensure you arrive on time and park in the most convenient location.

Visit Campus

Parking rates.

Visitors who need hourly or daily parking can purchase hourly parking at parking pay stations or on their mobile device.

Parking Information

Campus Transformation

With everything from new buildings and bridges to the arrival of the trolley, the shift in the campus’s physical appearance is profound.

Parking for a Triton Tour

Please note that a tour registration is required to participate in our on-campus tours and space is limited. We cannot accommodate walk-ons at this time, however there are other tour options available.

Shuttles Closed

We would like to inform you that shuttles are not running this (March 27-March 31) week due to spring break.

Please park in Gilman Parking Structure for closest access to the Triton Center. Additional parking is available in our South Parking Structure , if needed. Visitor permits are available through the Park Mobile App  or the pay stations near the elevators. Please only park in a V (white) spot. B (green), A (red), and reserved spots are not available to campus guests.

Monday - Friday

Allow at least 45 minutes to:

Find parking at P704 or P705 parking lots

Pay $5 for parking via the pay stations or the ParkMobile App (Zone #4762)

Get in line to board the "R" Regents Shuttle and disembark at the Light Rail Loop Stop.

Follow the signage for Triton Tours for a 6-7 minute walk to the Triton Center

IMPORTANT: Tours will begin promptly; please give yourself ample time to find parking, pay for parking, and get shuttled to the Triton Center if you are attending a tour Monday through Friday.

IMPORTANT: If you are attending a tour on Saturday , please park at the Gilman Parking Structure , which is in walking distance of the Triton Center where your tour will start. Additional parking is available in the South Parking Structure .

Construction Fencing

Please note that as part of the campus transformation to enhance the student experience, there is currently construction fencing located outside of the Triton Center. After parking on campus, please walk around the blue construction fencing to the Triton Center, which is on the first floor of the Student Services Center. For more information, view a map of the fencing or learn more about the campus transformation .

Tour guides will be present to start checking in guests no earlier than 15 minutes prior to a tour start time. If you arrive earlier than 15 minutes before your tour start time, we encourage you to grab a snack or drink at Price Center right next to our starting location and return closer to your tour start time.

We may not be able to accommodate guests arriving after the tour has begun.

Parking Videos

Parking with Disabled Person Plates or Placard

Our Triton Tours are accessible for all visitors with disabilities.

Be sure to review the parking information for disabled placards or license plates .

Where to Stay

UC San Diego Parent & Family Programs has partnered with Bartell Hotels to offer families, students, alumni, and friends reduced hotel rates at some of the finest properties in San Diego.

Local Resources

We're happy to help

Virtual Tour

View 360-degree panoramas of campus and listen to audio offered in six languages!

Questions? Contact Us

For more tour information, parking directions or other questions, contact our Campus Tours Office at (858) 822-4750.

Email Campus Tours