A Student's Guide to San Diego, California
Pacific Beach - Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
When thinking about California, don’t overlook the vivacious and exciting San Diego. The city is home to over 126,000 college students that attend universities such as San Diego State University (SDSU).
Why do so many people choose to continue their education in San Diego? The comfortable and temperate climate, easy to navigate public transportation, and the abundance of local culture all play a part in that decision. A large piece of the local culture is the vast variety of attractions, food, sights, and local trademarks that the city offers.
San Diego is located in Southern California, directly on the Pacific Ocean at San Diego Bay. The city is about 120 miles away from LA which is about a two hour drive away which is convenient for a Hollywood vacation. If you're flying into San Diego you will land at the San Diego International Airport which is located 3.5 miles away from downtown and is about a 17 minute drive to the SDSU campus. If you visit in the summer, possibly for a college tour, you will be greeted by the glowing sun and warm temperatures in the mid 70’s. In the winter months the average lows are in the 50’s and highs are mid 60’s. The city has lots of affordable, convenient, and popular attractions for college students.
In 2025, close to 1,400,000 million people live in San Diego so it is extremely beneficial that the city has a reliable and easily accessible public transportation system. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System operates over 4,000 bus tops. They allow you to purchase tickets online for the bus and trolley as well as view their departure schedule. Their website also offers helpful information for planning trips and posts the city’s upcoming events and current news articles.
When considering what to eat in San Diego, don’t forget about their locally sourced grocery stores and farmers markets. The Liberty Public Market is a very popular choice. It has 38 food carts that offer a wide range of specialty cuisine including thai, italian, and burgers. The market is open daily between the hours of 9 a.m and 8 p.m. There is also a local farmers market in a different neighborhood almost every day of the week, each one featuring different farms, vendors, and experiences such as live music.
There are multiple grocery options available that are very convenient for SDSU students. There is a Trader Joe’s located on campus which is a student favorite as they offer a unique selection of snacks, baked goods, ready to eat meals, and a wide selection of meat, dairy, and produce, plus so much more. There is also a BrightSide produce stand which is also located on campus and is student run.
One thing that most people research about any place they may visit or move to, is what is there to do? It shouldn’t be a surprise that San Diego has numerous attractions, big and small, and for every interest. There are a few places that are tourist and local favorites and on my list to visit as well.
The San Diego Zoo is also known as the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and their mission is to integrate wildlife health and care, science, and education into their conservation efforts. The Alliance has conservation efforts around the world, including in the Savannah, Asia, and the Amazon. The zoo in Balboa Park houses over 680 different species of animals. They also offer guided excursions in their safari park.
Balboa Park is an integral part of the city and is unique from other parks as it is 1,200 acres and within the park are 16 museums, the zoo, a theater, a variety of gardens, and a Spanish village. The park often hosts local events and there is a free shuttle service which adds even more convenience to your day in the park.
San Diego is well known as a beach city and going to Mission Beach will ensure that you have an authentic beach experience. Mission Beach is located alongside Belmont Park where you can ride roller coasters and visit the arcade. There is plenty of space on the beach and boardwalk to swim, play, jog, walk, and even fish off the Mission Bay jetty.
San Diego has way too many worth-seeing attractions to be able to mention them all, but it is important to note the student favorites. Olivia Duncan wrote a blog titled, “College Student’s Guide to San Diego.” Within this piece she highlights the $2.25 fish tacos and house-made salsas at Oscar’s Mexican Seafood, located in Pacific Beach and North Park.
Another spot highlighted in Duncan’s blog is Kate O’Sessions Park. This is a popular park and she writes, “my roommates and I love to bring a pizza and a portable speaker and come for a sunset picnic.”
Duncan mentions LeStat’s as a, “finals week go-to.” They have several locations, some of which are open 24 hours and they offer coffee for late night pick me ups.
When it comes to busy college schedules and cram-sessions, caffeine is usually a must. There are several popular and conveniently located coffee shops including Better Buzz, The Forum, and The Living Room Coffee House.
The Living Room Coffee House does indeed offer a strong pick-me-up cup of coffee but their menu is so much more expansive. Their menu includes breakfast options ranging from croissants and waffles to skillets, omelets, and benedicts. For lunch and dinner they have entrees such as pesto tortellini as well as various wraps, sandwiches, personal pizzas, paninis, and salads. They are a “European cafe with a California flair.” True to their name, each location is cozy and familial with geometric flooring and dining room table and chair sets.
San Diego is a beautiful, unique, and busy city that offers a lively college experience. You can spend time at the beach, zoo, parks, and the plethora of other attractions the city offers. If ever provided with the opportunity to visit San Diego or attend one of their universities, you will quickly discover your own favorite stores, and study spots all while soaking up much needed vitamin D from the California rays.
At a Glance
San Diego, CA
Population: approximately 1.4 million residents
Number of College Students: approximately 126,000
Average Weather: Typically mid 70’s in summer and 50-60’s in the winter, sunny with some fog or clouds
Airports: San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Attractions: Mission Beach, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Liberty Public Market, local farmers markets, The Living Room Coffee House
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