Information for Current International Students

About San Diego
San Diego offers an exciting array of attractions and activities--so many, you'll find it hard to see and do everything!

ACTIVITIES
Water plays a big part in this great international playground--the Pacific Ocean, impressive bays, and many lakes. There are also mountains and deserts in San Diego County. And, of course, the colorful variety of Mexico is just across the border. Here are some samples listed below:

BALBOA PARK, 1,074 acres in the heart of San Diego, blends unique architecture and lush foliage with a variety of museums, theaters, fountains, and recreation.

CALIFORNIA'S FIRST MISSIONis San Diego de Alcala, open daily to visitors. From here, Father Serra ventured north to establish a chain of 21 missions.

CABRILLO NATIONAL MONUMENT on the tip of Point Lomahas a spectacular viewof one of the world's great natural harbors and the city spread out beyond. The historic lighthouse on the same grounds was first lighted in 1855 and is now a museum. An overlook provides a view of the annual migration of California gray whales as they pass by during winter months.

THE DESERToffers a unique beauty that is in contrast to San Diego's water attractions. Each spring the desert comes alive with brilliant displays of wild flowers.

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DRAMATIC SKYLINEsits like a sparkling string of jewels along San Diego's waterfront. There's a freshly scrubbed look about this bright and attractive city.

GOLFis a year-round sport in San Diego, and there are over 70 courses, from coastline to desert, that offer all the challenge even the most avid golfer could want.

HANG GLIDINGis another popular sport in San Diego. The bluffs off the coast of La Jolla make this part of the country one of the best locations for hang gliders and sailplanes. On clear days, the sky west of the UCSD campus is filled with gliders. Only a ten minute walk away, the Glider Port provides for thrilling viewing of these sports.

HORSE RACINGat Del Mar each summer and Tijuana's Agua Caliente on weekends. One of many major sports that make this a sports capital.

MAGNIFICENT COASTLINE, stretching along San Diego County and Mexico, offers hundreds of miles of wide beaches, cliffs, parks, surfing, and swimming.

MEXICO, just 15 miles from downtown San Diego, provides shopping and dining delights, plus such colorful international touches as bullfights and jai alai.

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MILES OF BEACH & BAY SHOREprovide the perfect setting for sunning, swimming, fishing, games, sailing, water skiing, snorkeling, picnics, jogging, cycling.

MOUNTAINS & LAKES, some at mile-high altitudes, provide a change of pace for your San Diego stay. Fishing is excellent in most of the area's many lakes.

MT. PALOMAR'S200-inch Hale Telescope, America's largest, may be viewed from visitors' gallery. The drive up the 'Highway to the Stars' offers beautiful views.

OLD TOWN, where San Diego began more than 200 years ago, is still very much alive today with restaurants, colorful shops, historic old adobes, and museums.

SAN DIEGO ZOO, one of the world's finest, exhibits thousands of fascinating wild animals, birds, and reptiles in a semitropical, jungle-like 100-acre park.

SEA WORLDin Mission Bay features Shamu the killer whale and a whole lot more in 100 acres of beautiful landscaping: dolphins, walruses, sharks, seals, otters.

SERRA MUSEUM, in Presidio Park on the hill above Old Town, is a picturesque window to San Diego's past. Displays include articles from nearby excavations.

STAR OF INDIA, a floating museum that is part of maritime history, stands proudly along the embarcadero. She's the oldest merchant sailing ship still afloat.

WILD ANIMAL PARKis the next best thing to going on safari. Endangered species run free and reproduce successfully in 1,800 acres of natural environment.

EVERYTHING'S NEARBY
In addition to San Diego's many attractions, visitors find it easy to go north to Disneyland, only 90 miles away, or other Los Angeles areas, about 120 miles. To the east, the mountains are about an hour away and the desert about two hours. With the excellent freeway networks, travel by car is easy, but many opt for travel by air, rail, or bus. San Diego also has a new trolley system that runs throughout the city from East to West.
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SAN DIEGO WEATHER
Casual is the key word for San Diego. Wear what's comfortable for you. A few restaurants require coats and ties forgentlemen, but a vast majority welcome casual dress.

For winter, topcoats are a rarity, but a sweater is a necessity. Evenings are always cool, even in the summer. The coldest weather occurs in January, when average temperatures range from a low of 47.5 degrees at night to a high of 63 degrees during the day. August is the warmest month with average temperatures ranging from 64 degrees at night to 74.5 degrees during the day.

TRANSPORTATION
Getting around San Diego will require some means of transportation. Here are some choices:

Bicycle: Having a bicycle is a convenient and inexpensive mode of transportation, especially if you live close to campus. You may also ride your bike to a Bus stop and several local buses have a bike rack built on the back of their buses.

Personal Vehicle
You may be asking yourself, "Should I purchase an automobile?" This is an important decision, requiring careful thought and consideration. There are several responsibilities and requirements in driving and owning a motor vehicle. The costs are always more than they appear at first. Click here for more information.

San Diego Transit: There is a fairly extensive trolley and bus system in San Diego. For information, check the web page for the San Diego Transit or call them at 238-0100. Bus schedules can be found in the Campus Activities office.

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