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University of San Diego
- Local Atmosphere

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University of San Diego - Local Atmosphere - College ProwlerCollege Prowler5.00

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
  • Belmont Park
  • California coastline
  • Coronado Island
  • Del Mar Fairgrounds and Race Track
  • Gaslamp District
  • Legoland
  • The New Children's Museum
  • Old Town San Diego
  • Petco Park
  • Qualcomm Stadium
  • San Diego Zoo
  • SeaWorld
  • Wild Animal Park

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

The popular motto, "We live where you spring break,” sums up USD students’ feelings for the city, and is even printed on T-shirts in the University bookstore. San Diego is a vibrant city with a laid-back atmosphere and miles of beaches, and it’s hard not to fall in love with it. The bay can be seen from most places on campus—a constant reminder that the only thing separating students from the beach is a five-minute car ride. San Diego just isn't San Diego without the beach. The majority of weekends are spent at the beach, parties and bonfires are held there, and most upperclassmen opt to live there, as well. It may sometimes even seem that all of San Diego is at the beach on a warm sunny day, so it's essential to plan ahead. Belmont Park is a popular beachfront amusement park with various rides, including a wooden rollercoaster, miniature golf, and wave machines.

Even if the beach isn’t for you, you will still never get bored in San Diego. The city is home to two other big universities besides USD—San Diego State University and UC San Diego—so there are always lots of young people around. Gaslamp District is an urban downtown area filled with shopping, restaurants, and clubs. Not 21? Don’t worry about it—most clubs have 18-and-older events on "Thirsty Thursday" nights. Mexico is only 20 minutes away, but most students never go there for safety reasons. Other popular destinations include SeaWorld, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, and Del Mar Race Track. Millions of tourists come here each year to have the San Diego experience for a few weeks, but USD students get to experience it for four years. It's hard to beat that!

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San Diego Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Local Atmosphere at University of San Diego

andersonau

'15

Fine Arts

4.6
A

Plenty to Keep Busy With

So much to do in San Diego. Balboa Park, the amazing Zoo, the school is very close to Fashion Valley and Mission Valley shopping centers, with plenty of other nice malls around. Don't forget the beaches and Sea World, Coronado Island is also very nice. Always events and activities going on.

Jan 27, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at University of San Diego

saint13

'16

International Relations and National Security Studies

3.1
B-

Kind of Boring

Other than the beach, Sea World and going downtown there is not much to do. Sure those things can be fun every once in a while but doing them every weekend gets old really quickly. There is not city planning either so getting around can be difficult if you are new to San Diego.

Jan 09, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at University of San Diego

desireethalia

'15

Psychology

2.7
C+

Ok Area

USD is in a decent neighborhood, but it doesn't really matter much because we are on a huge hill above.

Jan 08, 2012

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Page 1 of 12

Photos of University of San Diego's Local Atmosphere

College Students:
Register now to upload photos of YOUR school and show what it is really like!
University of San Diego - Mission BeachMission Beach
Photo by bvuona
Mission Beach This is a look at a party on Mission Beach.
Link to this photo
Photo by bvuona
University of San Diego - Jenny Craig PavilionJenny Craig Pavilion
Photo by erussak
Jenny Craig Pavilion This is where all the big basketball games are held and sometimes school barbecues!
Link to this photo
Photo by erussak
University of San Diego - Immaculata Immaculata
Photo by Jessicaford
Immaculata This church appears in USD's logo. Although it's not owned by the University, students are still welcome to attend Mass here.
Link to this photo
Photo by Jessicaford

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 Mall
  • Horton Plaza
  • Mission Valley Mall
Major Sports Teams
  • San Diego Chargers: NFL
  • San Diego Padres: MLB
City Web Sites
Distances to Nearest Major Cities
  • Los Angeles: CA: 2 hours
  • Tijuana: Mexico: 20–30 minutes
Did You Know?

Fun Facts about San Diego:

  • Founded in the 16th century, San Diego is California’s oldest city.
  • Balboa Park, just south of USD, is the nation’s largest “urban cultural” park. It is home to more than a dozen museums and the famous Old Globe Theatre, and is a renowned hot spot for up-and-coming culinary artists.
  • Hollywood loves to work in San Diego. A small sampling of the movies filmed or partially shot here include “Almost Famous,” “Anchor Man,” “Bring it On,” “The Scorpion King,” “Some Like it Hot,” “Spaceballs,” “Top Gun,” and “Traffic.” Kansas City Barbecue in downtown proudly proclaims “Top Gun sleazy bar scene filmed here” on its marquee.
  • The U.S.S. Midway, a retired aircraft carrier, is a floating naval museum in the downtown San Diego Big Bay.
  • Old Town San Diego recreates California life from 1821–1872, spanning both Mexican and American periods of control.

Famous People from San Diego:

  • Marcus Allen – former NFL player
  • Reggie Bush – NFL player
  • Adam Brody – actor
  • Nick Cannon – actor
  • Ted Danson – actor
  • Terrell Davis – former NFL player
  • Cameron Diaz – actress
  • Robert Duvall – actor
  • Tony Hawk – professional skateboarder
  • Jeremy and Jason London – actors
  • Mario Lopez – actor, TV personality
  • Ted Williams – baseball Hall of Famer

Movie TheatersWhat's This?

AMC Fashion Valley 18
7037 Friars Rd.
Linda Vista
(858) 558-2262

Hillcrest Cinemas
3965 5th Ave.
Hillcrest
(619) 819-0236

UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas
7510 Hazard Center Dr.
Mission Valley
(619) 574-7849

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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 USD

Name: Jessica Ford

Hometown: San Diego, Calif.

Major: Business

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