Students living off-campus should plan their commute to and from campus before starting the semester. For students without a vehicle, finding housing close to campus or nearby transit hubs for public transportation provides an accessible means of transportation to campus. Students living off-campus should consider carpooling with fellow commuter students if possible.
Getting to Campus
From the North: Use I-5 South, exit at Sea World Drive and Tecolote Road and proceed left at the stoplight onto Tecolote Road. Turn right on Morena, left on Napa and left on Linda Vista Road. Travel east on Linda Vista Road, up the hill, to USD’s Main Driveway, turn left into campus.
From the South (Or the Airport): Use I-5 north, exit Morena Blvd. (signs will say “Morena Blvd. use I-8 east”). Stay to the right and follow the signs for Morena. When the road splits, stay to the right onto Linda Vista Road. Travel east on Linda Vista Road, up the hill, to USD’s Main Driveway, turn left into campus.
From the East: Use I-8 West, exit at Morena Blvd. When the road splits, stay to the right onto Linda Vista Road. Travel east on Linda Vista Road, up the hill, to USD’s Main Driveway, turn left into campus.
The San Diego region is served by two transit agencies, the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the North County Transit District (NCTD).
San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) buses, trolleys, and coasters provide convenient transportation throughout San Diego County. If you want to use the local bus service, use the MTS Google Transit Trip Planner to map routes directly from USD. We are located on the #44 bus route. Bus schedules differ but service the stop by our entrance every 15 to 20 minutes. MTS Passes can be purchased right here on campus at the Hahn University Center Ticket Office.
MTS Passes, PRONTO, can be purchased on campus at the University Center Ticket Office.
The San Diego Trolley runs every 15 minutes throughout most of the day and every 30 minutes in the evening. The stop nearest our campus is the Old Town Transit Center on the Blue/Green Line. The USD Tram runs every half-hour from Main Campus to the Old Town Transit Center.
The North County Coaster runs 43 miles along the California coastline with station stops in downtown San Diego, Old Town, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Oceanside. It is best to transfer from the Coaster to a bus at the Old Town Transit Center to reach our campus.
Getting Around On-Campus
Use the interactive campus map to get around campus - you can even get specific walking directions!
Use the campus skateboarding map (PDF) to find out where you can (and can't) ride bicycles and skateboards.
The largest part of campus transportation is the USD Tram Service. The tram is free to all students, employees, and visitors to the University. The team also provides transportation to the Old Town Transit Center, which provides convenient access to much of the greater San Diego area. Check out the live tram locator at USDTram.com, as well as the full schedule and information at the Tram Services website.
Public Safety and Parking Services are available to give rides if the need arises. You can contact the dispatcher at (619) 260-7777 to request a ride at any time.
Students must display a valid USD parking permit at all times while parking on campus.
Long-term parking permits can be purchased online through the Office of Parking Services website. Students may park in either of our multi-level parking structures: Mission Parking Structure or West Parking Structure. Please review the parking rules and regulations before arriving on campus.
Students with a temporary or permanent disability may be issued a special permit entitling them to park in designated zones marked by blue curb and signs. A valid parking placard issued by the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles and a USD permit is required to park in these spaces.
Getting Around Off-Campus
College Cab provides full-time USD undergraduate students a safe ride from any situation that places you at risk, such as being stranded or wanting to leave an uncomfortable situation:
- Service is available 7 days a week
- For College Cab service call (619) 291-3333
- You must present your USD ID to the cab driver
- You have 2 weeks to pay a flat fee of $10 for cab rides of 15 miles or less. However, the entire amount will be posted to your student account if a flat fee of $10 has not been paid within two weeks and/or if your cab ride exceeded the 15-mile limit. Payment can be made at the Cashier's Office (Hughes Center 211).
- After you have made your payment, bring the yellow receipt to the Center for Health and Wellness Promotion (CHWP) in the University Center, Room 161. If we do not know that you have paid the flat fee, your student account will be billed the entire amount.
- There is a three-time limit per semester.
San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) buses, trolleys, and coasters provide convenient transportation throughout San Diego County. If you want to use the local bus service, use the MTS Google Transit Trip Planner.
- MTS PRONTO Passes can be purchased on campus at the University Center Ticket Office.
- Only for the month of September 2021, student can download the PRONTO pass through the Apple Store or Google play and ride for free on trolley and buses, please visit the MTS website for more information.
- The San Diego Trolley runs every 15 minutes throughout most of the day and every 30 minutes in the evening. The stop nearest USD is the Old Town Transit Center on the Blue/Green Line. The USD Tram runs every half-hour from Main Campus to the Old Town Transit Center.
- The North County Coaster runs 43 miles along the coast with station stops in downtown San Diego, Old Town, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Oceanside. It is best to transfer from the Coaster to a bus at the Old Town Transit Center to reach USD.
Visit www.511sd.com to find complete information on all of the public transportation options, traffic alerts, and green transportation alternatives in San Diego County.
iCommuteSD is another great resource to plan trips around San Diego using public transportation, bicycling, carpools, and vanpools.
Rent a Zip Car on campus for an hour, a day or more. Great deals for USD students, faculty, and staff!
If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver's license from your home country, you may drive in this state without getting a California driver license (as long as your home country license remains valid).
If stopped by police, make sure to emphasize that you are a student studying temporarily in the US and are not a resident. The main advantage of getting a California driver license is to qualify for more affordable car insurance rates.
For more information on obtaining a California driver's license, visit the California Department of Motor Vehicles website.