Discover a Sustainable San Diego
"Discover a Sustainable San Diego" is an exciting program that groups new students with USD faculty and staff who lead an exploration of one of San Diego's treasures! New students will learn about aspects of sustainability in everyday San Diego activities.
The programs are arranged by time of day starting with the morning, so please take that into consideration when making your decision. Other considerations may include any other necessary experience or equipment as listed in the description.
Sign-up for programs below is on a space available basis, and each student is allowed to sign-up for one program. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at (619) 260-4590. Please note, events that have a cost will be billed directly to your student account.
Discover a Sustainable San Diego Programs:
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Event Time: Morning
La Jolla Cove Open Water Swim
La Jolla Cove is a designated open water park. This unique preserve is a protected cove with a wide variety of beautiful marine life. Participants will be given a short talk about the history of the area, and then will be guided on a � mile open water swim. After swimming, students will have a chance to take a walk into the famous La Jolla Coves. Other Necessary Experience or Equipment: While all levels of swimmers are welcome, participants should be comfortable swimming 1000 yards without support. Goggles are also helpful.
Program Full
Cost: Free |
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Event Time: Morning
Guided Nature Walk at Tecolote Canyon
This is a monthly event organized by the Tecolote Canyon. The guided walk lasts about 1.5 hour. After the walk, participants will gather at one of the ethnic restaurants alone Linda Vista Road for further discussion on the experience and how we, as a community, can continue to protect our environment. Other Necessary Experience or Equipment: Students are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes, as well as sunscreen, and to bring a water bottle along with them.
Program Full
Cost: $5 |
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Event Time: Morning
Participants will visit a local coffee roastery owned by USD alumni and learn about coffee and tea production. Students will taste test a variety of coffees, teas, and specialty drinks. Alumni will also share insights about maintaining a sustainable business in the coffee industry.
Program Full
Cost: Free |
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Event Time: Morning
Mission Beach Surf and Sand
First, enjoy a surf lesson at one of San Diego’s largest water front facilities – Mission Bay Aquatic Center. Then, soak up the sun over lunch with a USD alumnus from the Surfrider Foundation. We’ll learn about the importance of protecting our environment and how we can help keep our oceans, waves, and beaches clean. Other Necessary Experience or Equipment: Students should be intermediate swimmers, and should bring a change of clothes, beach towel, and sunscreen.
Program Full
Cost: $15 (includes Lunch) |
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Event Time: Morning
Ocean Beach Excursion
This program will include a tour of Ocean Beach, including the beach itself, Newport Ave, Sunset cliffs, and the Ocean Beach Pier. After eating breakfast, students will hear a presentation from a representative from the Greenstore, a �green� environmentally friendly business in Ocean Beach and/or a presentation from Aquatic Adventures, who does wetlands restoration at Dog�s Beach.
Program Full
Cost: $10 |
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Event Time: Morning
Discover San Diego by Bicycle
Explore San Diego�s bay neighborhoods by bicycle. Ride through Little Italy, Downtown, the Embarcadero, the Gaslamp District, Barrio Logan, National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, the Strand, and Coronado. Students will return to San Diego by ferry before coming back to campus. A level but long ride of approximately thirty miles, best suited for moderately experienced cyclists. Other Necessary Experience or Equipment: Students must provide their own bicycles. We recommend a good road or hybrid bicycle (mountain bikes, especially those with shocks, tend to be too heavy and slow). Be sure to bring a helmet and water.
Program Full
Cost: Free |
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Event Time: Morning
Hiking Cowles Mountain
Hike to the top of Cowles Mountain, part of beautiful Mission Trails Regional Park (www.mtrp.org) for spectacular views of San Diego and even Mexico on a clear day. The trail will lead us through chaparral and sage scrub habitats as we discuss the importance of protected urban wilderness sites. We�ll end our event with frozen yogurt! Other Necessary Experience or Equipment: Students should wear comfortable shoes for hiking, a hat, and sunscreen, and should bring a water bottle, as it will be hot! The hike is steep and fairly rigorous and three miles round trip.
Program Full
Cost: Free |
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Event Time: Morning
San Diego Zoo
Participants will experience an insider’s tour behind the scenes at the world famous San Diego Zoo. Students will learn about the impact of conservation issues on animal and plant habitats.
Program Full
Cost: Free |
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Event Time: Morning
The Puzzling Race: San Diego Edition
Put on your thinking camp and your running shoes for the second year of this brain-teasing footrace. Solve puzzles and gather clues to lead you through the city of San Diego to the finish line. The winning team wins a prize. This excursion will also introduce students to San Diego’s public transit system. Other Necessary Experience or Equipment: Bring sunscreen, running shoes, a pencil, and small bills for bus fare.
Program Full
Cost: $10 |
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Event Time: Morning
Trip to California Wolf Center
Visit the California Wolf Center near Julian, CA and attend a presentation about the "North American Gray Wolf - Recovery of an Endangered Species." Dress appropriately for a short hike in the mountains A donation ($5-$15) to the non-profit center would be appreciated.
This is also a great oppurtunity for students to check out North San Diego County. Julian, San Diego's own mountain community, is a great place to head for weekend hikes and excursions.
Program Full
Cost: Free |
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Event Time: Morning
Trolleys, Hiking, and Burritos
Students will learn the ins and out of the trolley system here in San Diego, which travels everywhere from Petco Park to East County to the Mexican Border. The trolley will take students to a nature reserve where they will go on a short hike and finish with a Roberto’s (a local institution) burrito.
Program Full
Cost: $5 |
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Event Time: Morning
Discover San Diego's Black Cultural History
The tour will begin in Old Town with a visit to Casa Del Rey Moro African Museum. http://www.ambers.com/mainframe.html After a presentation by director Chuck Ambers, the group will board the Trolley again for San Diego�s Gaslamp District and visit the San Diego Black Historical Society http://www.blackhistoricalsociety.org/index.htm where the group will tour the facility, hear an educational lecture and meet distinguished San Diego leaders. The next stop will take the group to the Market Creek Plaza where lunch will be provided and the participants will enjoy a special presentation in the cultural amphitheater.
Program Full
Cost: $22 |
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Event Time: All Day
Tijuana-Building Relationships
Discover our connectedness with a developing community in Tijuana by sharing in a day of service. Students will be helping at a community center that serves many people in great need. The project will be based on the immediate needs of the community center at the time of our visit. Other Necessary Experience or Equipment: For this excursion, a valid passport is required to cross the border, or some other form of government-issued ID, along with a certified birth certificate. Students under 18 will need special permission. Additionally, work clothes and sturdy shoes will be needed, along with water bottles, hats, and sunscreen.
Program Full
Cost: $10 |
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Event Time: All Day
Tijuana/Mexico Cultural Contrast Tour
The purpose of this tour is to show the many contrasting and positive views of Tijuana/Mexico art, culture, points of interest in a limited period of time. To do this, tour members must agree to move punctually with the director and tour members so as not to cause delays spending time looking for or waiting for members who might delay the orderly visiting of sights. Many sites will be visited including: The Old World Open Market The Guadalupe Cathedral The Palacio de Jai Alai The tour director is James (Jim) Hardison, Ph.D. retired dean and professor of Spanish. He lived in Mexico for many years, operated businesses there. He will direct and make explanations throughout the tour. Other Necessary Experience or Equipment: Members must have passports, no visa required, and additional identification (driver�s license or document to show their residency status). Tour members must bring a picnic lunch/ or buy snacks, water bottles or soft drinks and comfortable clothing. Alcohol and smoking are not permitted on the luxury bus.
Program Full
Cost: $30 |
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Event Time: Afternoon
Deep Sea Fishing Excursion
This half-day expedition will explore the sport of deep sea fishing. Students will have the opportunity to see and possibly catch some of the native fish in the area such as yellowfin tuna, seabass, albacore, thresher sharks, and many more. Discussions of sustainability will be touched upon with the current issue of overfishing, and the impact of fishing on the environment. Other Necessary Experience or Equipment: No experience necessary. Students can bring a backpack and food. Snacks can also be purchased on the boat. Coolers and alcohol are not allowed.
Program Full
Cost: $50 |
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Event Time: Afternoon
La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour
This program, intended for beginners, will consist of a 2 mile guided kayak tour of the La Jolla coastline, including the sea caves. Students will have the opportunity to partake in an outdoor recreational event that will have a very low impact on the marine environment. The tour consists of learning of the cave formations, San Diego marine life, the kelp forests, and learning about local marine life, such as leopard sharks, Garibaldi, and sea lions. Other Necessary Experience or Equipment: Does not require extensive kayak experience. Intended for beginners.
Program Full
Cost: $25 |
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Event Time: Afternoon
Discover Sustainable Golf
Among all the major land-based sports, golf has probably the strongest interaction with the environment. For this, golf courses have long attracted attention for their perceived unsound approach to environmental sustainability. However, given appropriate management, the ecology of golf course can be enhanced and promoted as a positive characteristic. This trip will discover Tecolote Canyon Golf Course, which is located a short distance from USD in the wildlife canyon area to the north. This executive golf course can challenge all levels of play. Come and learn how the game of golf can be a positive agent for environmental sustainability while enjoying a beautiful round of golf. Other Necessary Experience or Equipment: Students must provide their own clubs and equipment.
Program Full
Cost: $25 |
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Event Time: Afternoon
The Lifeblood of your Next Four Years
The average college student will consume more than 3000 cups of coffee during four years of college; some of us consume far more than that. Students will tour SDs own Caffe Calabria Coffee Roaster, after which we will sample some of their wares. Discussion will focus on social and economic aspects of the coffee industry: Does fair trade coffee actually benefit coffee growers? What are the ecological impacts of organic vs. non-organic beans?
This program is also provides a great opportunity to discover San Diego's North Park community. North Park is certainly one of SDs more art, food, and music oriented neighborhoods. Caffe Calabria lies just off University Avenue, a street lined with awesome record shops, natural groceries, and interesting restaurants. Ray Street, just a stones throw away, boasts SDs largest art (and gallery) community.
Program Full
Cost: $5 |
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Event Time: Afternoon
San Diego Zoo Trip
Participants will experience an insider�s tour behind the scenes at the world famous San Diego Zoo. Students will learn about the impact of conservation issues on animal and plant habitats. |
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Event Time: Afternoon
Buy Nothing, but if You Must, Buy Local
Students will learn about the in depth reality of sustainability. By looking at local businesses, farmers markets, and restaurants, students will learn about the necessity of buying local.
This is a great opputuinity for students to discover where the true SD locals/insiders go for good food and fun!
Program Full
Cost: $5 |
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Event Time: Afternoon
Discover San Diego Surf Shops
Students will cruise up the coast from Ocean Beach to Pacific Beach and stop at all the notable surf shops along the way. The goal of this trip will be to find out how and if the typical surf shop if sustainable as well as to learn about California Surf Culture and History. Students will finish the trip with Burritos at a local PB Mexican restaurant. This is an awesome chance to learn about everything SD surfing- from surf breaks to boards and shapers.
Dr. Jerome Hall, the program leader/facilitator, is a born and raised San Diego Surfer. Dr. Hall is USD's resident Nautical Anthropologist and teaches courses from Surf Culture and History to Caribbean Studies.
Program Full
Cost: Free |
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Event Time: Afternoon
Sailing on San Diego Bay
This event will be a two-hour sail, followed by refreshments. Sailing is a very green activity. Students will learn to use nature as a means of propulsion. There will also be a discussion about marine life in the bay and the surrounding eco system. Other Necessary Experience or Equipment: Sailing experience on 27 foot boats is preferred.
Program Full
Cost: $5 |
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Event Time: 0
Program Full
Cost: Free |