University of California San Diego, La Jolla

University of California San Diego, or UCSD, has a huge campus. The first thing you notice is the stark architecture and minimal landscaping. It looks almost dystopian. Some parts of the campus have a little more trees and plants, such as around Geisel Library and the Library Walk. But overall, the effect on campus is cold: cold buildings, and cold foggy weather too!

Still, the campus has a very rich academic life, and surely must be a great place to attend.
Much of the campus is for driving not walking to, such as the huge medical buildings. To walk campus, park in a visitor spot at Gilman Parking Structure and pay in the machines or with the ParkMobile App. On pedestrian corridor Russell Lane, the buildings are the newest and most stark with no landscaping and only pavement. Here there's a Bird Rock Coffee with outdoor seating in a public space.
At the Price Center, the main student union, there are cafes and chilling out spaces. There is a Starbucks Coffee and a handy Target store. Browse the UCSD Bookstore, which has art supplies, stationary, books, and kid's books, all presented beautifully. Between the Target and the Gameroom is a lovely fountain that winds down a hill. It is flanked by hammocks where students can rest, taking in the sound of the water. Along the Library Walk, the buildings become older, cement, brutalist buildings, with a few more trees and lawns around, and a eucalyptus forest.
Then at Sixth College, one of the residence hall areas, the look becomes downright cheerful compared to the rest of campus. There is a large lawn, buildings with some color, and cafes such as a boba tea place. This is one of the most requested residence halls.
At Geisel Library, you can admire some unique glass and cement architecture, and a sculpture of Dr. Suess with the Cat in the Hat. In the distance you can see a tilted house called Fallen Star atop the corner of Jacobs Hall, the Engineering Building. You can tour this house if you make a reservation, and you will feel dizzy because of its angle. Near the library, on google maps find the Snake Path, a tiled walkway that looks like a snake!
Some of the Engineering buildings have nice courtyards with a lawn and adirondack chairs in the sun, plus interesting areas to test ideas. In the courtyard of the Computer Science building is a bear sculpture made of big boulders. 
They have some awesome outdoor concerts at Epstein Family Amphitheater, such as one with members of Eric Clapton's band. Conrad Prebys Music Center, or The Conrad, has wonderful classical music concerts. 
The campus is near the coast, but not directly at the ocean. Nearby is UCSD Scripps Pier, and above it, surrounded by pine trees, a coffee shop called Pinpoint Cafe, where students sit, rugged up in oversized sweatshirts, enjoying the views of the sea. 
UCSD's biggest advantage is that it is near the town of La Jolla, with its stunning seaside cliffs, palm trees, flowers, cafes, coffee shops, and lawns full of picnickers. Bird Rock, a hip seaside area, is also nearby. Here are some other absolutely gorgeous places near UCSD.
If you are heading south after your visit, leave the campus before rush hour to avoid a traffic jam. 
Other UC campuses to tour and try to get into are UC Santa Barbara and UC Berkeley!
Another major public university in San Diego, but inland, is San Diego State University.

Directions

There is visitor parking, marked V, in the Gilman Parking Structure. Pay in the machines or with the ParkMobile App. The address is 252 Russell Ln, La Jolla, CA 92093.

Start Navigation

Click on map for interactive view