LIFE IN SAN DIEGO

Housing

UCSD’s Housing, Dining, & Hospitality Office maintains a list of local apartments http://hdh.ucsd.edu/housing/ 858.534.4010; housinginfo@ucsd.edu. In general, affordable housing is available in all parts of the city and within easy commuting distance from the Shiley Eye Institute, the UCSD Medical Center, and the VA Medical Center.

Vacation

Residents get four weeks of vacation per year. Time off is scheduled into rotations early in the year and in either one- or two-week blocks. All four weeks must be taken during each year of training. Time does not roll over to the next year.

City of San Diego

San Diego is known for its year-‘round ideal climate, averaging about 55 degrees in January to 73 degrees in August. This means that San Diego is an outdoor and sporting paradise where you can enjoy the sun, surf, mountains, deserts, and international flavor of our city.

You will have access not only to public facilities such as the Mission Bay Aquatic Center, but to many of the recreational facilities on campus. Check out: http://recreation.ucsd.edu/

Beyond the ideal weather and outdoor recreation, San Diego is full of cultural variety and history, world-class restaurants, museums, award-winning theater, and distinct neighborhoods that offer something for everyone.

Ocean Beach: Ocean Beach is San Diego’s eclectic, authentic beach town. A destination for fine antique and vintage shopping, casual beach-style or upscale dining, and unique specialty shops. Stay the day in our open and relaxing atmosphere, stroll on the longest concrete pier on the west coast, discover the original Dog Beach, or amble a couple of block inland to the distinctive downtown district to visit San Diego’s finest and largest Farmers Market or park yourself at the famous burger joint called Hodad’s. Featured on national TV, it’s your soon-to-be-favorite hamburger stop.

Torrey Pines: The Torrey pines grow only in this area of the world! A hike along the seaside cliffs has been called one of the most beautiful hikes in San Diego. Enjoy year-‘round strolls and fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean and its dolphins and whales.
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Mission Valley: Mission Valley is a wide river valley through which the San Diego River meanders to the Pacific Ocean. Formerly the site of the first Spanish settlement in California, established in 1769, it now serves as an important shopping and entertainment center for San Diego. Along the riverside, visit the Mission San Diego de Alcala a few miles inland, and the Presidio at Old Town near the west end of the valley, at the junction of Interstates 5 and 8.

Pacific Beach: Pacific Beach, with its endless boardwalk and funky beach bars, coffee stops, and specialty kiosks, is a favorite of young adults living the California Dream. The heavily trafficked boardwalk is a fascinating exhibition of contemporary style, beach culture, and affordable, eclectic dining. Pacific Beach, with its endless boardwalk and funky beach bars, coffee stops, and specialty kiosks, is a favorite of young adults living the California Dream. The heavily-trafficked boardwalk is a fascinating exhibition of contemporary style, beach culture, and affordable, eclectic dining. If you hang around the boardwalk long enough, you might even catch a high-five with SloMo, who is Dr John Kitchin, a former neurologist who gave it all up for his slow motion inline skating!

La Jolla: Since the 1880s, La Jolla has been a favorite vacation destination. Boasting southern California’s most beautiful and majestic coastline and the finest weather in the world, La Jolla offers a varied selection of hotels, shopping, dining, events, and outdoor attractions such as the seaside parks, snorkeling in La Jolla Cove, or kayaking in the caves (wear a helmet!)
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Balboa Park: Easily one of the most attractive parts of San Diego, Balboa Park is home not only to the Old Globe Theater, the Museum of Man, the Natural History Museum, the Air and Space Museum, and the Botanical Gardens, but also the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, the Spanish Village Art Center (artist colony), and the world famous San Diego Zoo, to name a few. The Park is a gorgeous place to go for a run, take a stroll in one of the several gardens, ride your bike, play Frisbee or volleyball, peruse an exhibit, enjoy the buskers on the pedestrian mall, …. Did you know that the greenery at the Zoo is more valuable than all of the animals there? It’s been said!

Gaslamp: The 16½ block Gaslamp Quarter is the historic heart of downtown San Diego and the center of downtown nightlife. The Gaslamp is home to many events and festivals, including Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp, Taste of Gaslamp, and ShamROCK—a St. Patrick’s Day event. Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, is located a block away in the trendy East Village.The nearby Convention Center hosts the hugely popular Comic-Con each year, as well as various annual boat shows, car shows, and corporate conventions. The New Children’s Museum is a magnet for youngsters who get to create and explore art in the vibrant atmosphere of the museum. The walkway along Harbor Drive is an art event in itself with sculptures, carvings, and fountains on each block.
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Petco Park: Petco Park, capacity around 44,000, is spectacular in every way, combining the best sight lines in baseball with breathtaking views of San Diego. Architecturally magnificent, it celebrates the sea, the sky, the natural beauty, cultural diversity, and unique spirit of our region. Innovative design features evoke the timeless traditions of baseball in an intimate setting, with state-of-the-art fan amenities to suit every taste and budget. Let your family run around the Park at the Park, situated on a hillside outside of center field with a playground for the kids and a big screen for the adults so you don’t miss a play on the diamond. Or enjoy a cold brew on the outside patio of the original Western Metal building, which was designed into left field!

The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park: First opened in the Summer of 2021, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is an architectural wonder on the edge of San Diego Bay and the heart of downtown. Years in the making, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is the soaring culmination of a long-time civic desire to have a state of the art concert venue that elevates the experience of live music while also serving as a public center for all of San Diego. Like well-known national venues such as Wolf Trap, Tanglewood and Ravinia, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park provides a sparkling summer home for the San Diego Symphony.

Snapdragon Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium is a 35,000-seat multipurpose venue owned by San Diego State University. As part of SDSU Mission Valley, Snapdragon Stadium serves as a year-round entertainment destination and hub of community engagement. The venue is designed to achieve LEED Gold certification and manages sustainability efforts as a top priority. Snapdragon Stadium is home to SDSU Aztec Football, San Diego Wave FC of the National Women’s Soccer League, and the San Diego Legion of Major League Rugby, and the San Diego Football Club, the 30th team in Major League Soccer. In addition to tenant events, Snapdragon Stadium will host a myriad of events including concerts, festivals, dirt shows, international sporting events, championships, community events, and more.