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University of California - San Diego
- Local Atmosphere

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University of California - San Diego - Local Atmosphere - College ProwlerCollege Prowler4.24

Local Atmosphere

A-
Where does this grade come from?View all Local Atmosphere rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Local Atmosphere Grades:

Quick Stats

Points of Interest
  • Balboa Park
  • Beaches
  • The Gas Lamp District
  • Old Town San Diego
  • San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park
  • Sea World
  • Tijuana, Mexico

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

La Jolla is a ritzy, stuffy community filled with rich, retired old people. However, this does not stop UCSD students from enjoying the beautiful place where they live. With the beach just walking distance from campus and sunny skies and water sports everywhere, it is hard not to enjoy living in San Diego. There are many exciting things to do away from the beach, as well. You can visit the Zoo and Wild Animal Park, Balboa Park, Mission Bay, Mexico, watch sporting events, or run in the Rock and Roll marathon. La Jolla is a beautiful and safe place to live—it’s just not like the college town students may have pictured when they planned to go away to school.

UCSD students are generally happy with the activities and environment San Diego has to offer. With such a laid-back atmosphere, everyone can find some place they fit in. A popular place with many students is Pacific Beach, more commonly known as PB, where you can find a more independent environment than La Jolla. PB is known for its fun little stores, great Mexican food, and huge bar scene. Also popular is the Gas Lamp District, located downtown. The Gas Lamp District has the feel of an urban city, and there are constantly concerts or events to attend. For an Animal House-esque college scene, UCSD students head over to San Diego State. Overall, there is no excuse for sitting at home and being bored in San Diego.

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UC San Diego Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Local Atmosphere at University of California - San Diego

austicong

'15

Chemistry

3.8
B+

A School of Scholars

UCSD situated in La Jolla was very overwhelming at first. While it may be because of the awkward transition from high school to college, the huge campus, or just change in general, the experience is definitely different. The school is very academically geared, but there are plenty of opportunities for other things if one merely tries to get involved. Local mall UTC is nearby, as well as several quality restaurants. Overall, though combating the stereotype of UC "socially dead", UCSD is the kind of college experience you make of it.

Jan 21, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at University of California - San Diego

acha7427

'12

Economics

4.6
A

Campus Atmosphere

I love our school campus! Beautiful and spacious, as a student it seems almost as though I am at a garden sometimes when I am walking through campus. Each college has its own unique style/design, despite the fact that sometimes walking from one college to another might be an exercise in itself.

Dec 07, 2011

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Local Atmosphere at University of California - San Diego

Gigi405

'15

Chemical Engineering

4.6
A

La Jolla

It's peaceful and there's plenty of things you can do.

Nov 28, 2011

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Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the local atmosphere on the following topics

What is the local atmosphere like at your school?

What is the proximity to other universities? Is there much interaction?

Can you see yourself living here after graduation?

Facts

Shopping Centers
  • Fashion Valley
  • Horton Plaza
  • University Town Center
Major Sports Teams
  • San Diego Chargers: football
  • San Diego Padres: baseball
City Web Sites www.signonsandiego.com
Distances to Nearest Major Cities
  • The beach: : 10 minutes or less
  • Los Angeles: CA: 2 hours
  • Mexico: : 45 minutes
Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about San Diego:
• The 2002 Superbowl (XXXVII) was held in San Diego. (The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Oakland Raiders.)
• Parts of Black’s Beach are nude beaches.
• Sports Illustrated has named UCSD the best school for surfing.
• Terry Allen’s “Trees,” also known as the “Talking Trees,” are three lead-skinned sculptures disguised as trees in the Eucalyptus Forest which regularly broadcast poetry, stories, and songs.
• Every year, Comi-con is held in San Diego, where you can meet actors and comic book authors.
• There are haunted houses in Old Town San Diego.

Famous People Living in San Diego:
San Diego has created a lot of famous surfers along with a few actors and musicians. Jack Johnson, Annette Benning, and James Avery are from San Diego.

Local Slang:
Anything beachy or typical Southern CA: dude, like, and cool. If you’re from Northern CA, do not say “hella,” and remember you need to put “the” in front of freeways (i.e. “I took the 5 south.”) This is always a big debate between Northern and Southern Californians at UCSD.

Movie TheatersWhat's This?

AMC La Jolla
8657 Villa La Jolla Dr.
La Jolla
(858) 558-2234

AMC Landmark La Jolla Village
8879 Villa La Jolla Dr.
La Jolla
(858) 453-7831

AMC Theaters Fashion Valley 18
7037 Friars Rd.
San Diego
(858) 558-2

Pacific Town Square
4665 Clairemont Dr.
San Diego
(858) 274-1234

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at UCSD

Name: Juan Ramirez

Hometown: El Monte, Calif.

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