Campus Tours: Driving Directions and Parking

On this page find driving directions and parking information for:

• The Triton Tour (prospective students, parents, and families): 
  • Summer 2012 weekdays (Monday through Friday, June 18 — Sept. 24)
  • Summer 2012 weekends (Saturdays, June 18 — Sept. 24)
  • After Sept. 24, 2012
• School Group Tours (school groups and bus drivers)

• The Triton Tour: Summer 2012 weekdays
  (Monday through Friday, June 18 — Sept. 24)

Important note: Meter parking will not give you enough time for the tour and information session. Purchase an all day pass for $8 in most lots, or $16 in the Gilman Parking Structure).

Directions from Interstate Highway 5

• Take the Genesse Avenue exit and go west.
• Turn left onto North Torrey Pines Road.
• Turn left onto Northpoint Drive.
• Turn right onto Hopkins Drive.

The Hopkins Parking Structure is at the corner of Hopkins Drive and Voigt Drive.

Walking from Hopkins Parking Structure

Walk to the Triton Center for your Triton Tour check-in (download the map):

• After parking and purchasing a parking pass in the Hopkins Parking Structure, exit on the ground level towards the intersection of Hopkins Lane and Voigt Drive.
• Walk south on Hopkins Lane towards Geisel Library and the book-drop loop.
• Continue to walk southeast past the library (down the hill) until you get to the large pathway (Library Walk).
• Continue south on Library Walk and turn left (east) just past the bookstore.
• Keep walking down the road between the bookstore on your left and the Chancellor's Complex on your right.
• Look for the Triton Statue at the foot of wide steps going up to the Price Center. You'll see the Student Services Center (5-story building) ahead of you and to the right of the statue.
• The Campus Tours Office is in the Triton Center, adjacent to Town Square, in the southwest corner of the Student Services Center, at courtyard level (opposite corner of the building from Yogurt World restaurant).

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• The Triton Tour: Summer 2012 weekends
  (Saturdays, June 18 — Sept. 24)

Important note: No permit needed on weekends — parking is free.

Directions from Interstate Highway 5

• Take the La Jolla Village Drive exit and go west.
• Turn right onto Villa La Jolla Drive and stay to the left.
• Continue to the end of the street.
• The Gilman Parking structure is located at the corner of Villa La Jolla Drive and Gilman Drive.
• You may also park in Parking Lot 406, located past the Gilman Parking Structure on your left-hand side.

Walking from Gilman Parking Structure or Lot 406

Walk to the Triton Center for your Triton Tour check-in:

• Walk north along Russell Lane.
• Turn left onto Rupertus Way.
• You'll see the 5-story Student Services Center straight ahead of you. The Campus Tours office is located in the Triton Center on the courtyard level (1st floor).

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• The Triton Tour (after Sept. 24)

All visitors coming for campus tours Mon.–Fri. should park at Lot P703. For visitors coming for campus tours on Saturdays, you should park at the Gilman Parking Structure or Lot P406, since the shuttles do not run from Lot P703 on weekends.

Directions from Interstate Highway 5 (Monday–Friday)

• Take the Genesee Avenue exit and go east.
• Continue straight until you reach Campus Point Drive, then turn right.
• Turn left on Voigt Drive.
• Turn right into Lot P703.

Purchase parking passes at the pay stations ($8 all day for most lots, or $16 in the Gilman Parking Structure). Passes for the Gilman Structure are ONLY valid in Gilman. Parking at a meter will not give you enough time for the tour.

Directions from Interstate Highway 5 (Saturday)

• Exit La Jolla Village Drive (exit 28) and go west.
• Turn right at first stoplight, Villa La Jolla Drive, and get in the left lane.
• Drive straight to enter Gilman Parking Structure, or you can turn right on Gilman Drive and make the first left into Lot P406.

Directions from San Diego International Airport

• Go east on North Harbor Drive.
• Turn left at West Laurel Street.
• Turn left at India Street.
• Turn onto the I-5 North entrance.
• Take the Genesse Avenue Exit and head east.
• Turn right on Camus Point Drive.
• Turn left on Voigt Drive.
• Turn right into Lot P703.

Did you park in Lot P703?

• Purchase a parking permit ($8, all day) from the permit machine.
• Catch the East & Regents shuttle to the Price Center (there is a green "P" on the front of the bus), or take the Campus Loop shuttle to the intersection of Gilman and Myers — both are a short walk away from the Triton Center, where your tour begins.

Did you park in the Gilman Parking Structure or Lot 406?

Walk to the Triton Center for your Triton Tour check-in:

• Walk north along Russell Lane.
• Turn left onto Rupertus Way.
• You'll see the 5-story Student Services Center straight ahead of you. The Campus Tours office is located in the Triton Center on the courtyard level (1st floor).

Did you take the East Regents Shuttle?

Walk from the Price Center to the Triton Center for your Triton Tour check-in:

• Walk straight through the Price Center and out the far doors.
• Once back outside, you'll see a 5-story building — the Student Services Center. The Triton Center is located on the 1st floor.

Did you take the Campus Loop Shuttle?

Walk from the intersection of Gilman and Myers to the Triton Center for your Triton Tour check-in:

• Right on Myers Drive.
• Right on Rupertus Way.
• The Triton Center is on the corner of Myers Drive and Rupertus Way, located on the 1st floor of the 5-story Student Services Center.

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• School Group Tours (for buses)

  Be sure to allow adequate time for arriving on campus, parking, and getting to the Triton Center for the start of your tour. Please be aware that because of new construction on campus there may be increased traffic once you arrive. For your safety when parking and unloading, please ensure that you keep a close eye on your students.

  UC San Diego is located immediately east of the I-5 freeway, between Gilman Drive to the south and Genesee Avenue to the north. We suggest checking this page one week before your tour for the latest information.

  Directions to the tour departure location:

  Please give this information to your Transportation Department and bus driver prior to your tour date.

  • From Interstate 5, exit La Jolla Village Drive (exit 28) and go west.
  • Go past the stoplight at Villa La Jolla Drive and get in the right lane.
  • Take the right-hand turnoff (Gilman Drive).
  • Turn right onto Gilman Drive.
  • Turn left at stop sign 4 (Myers Drive).
  • Turn right at the stop sign onto Rupertus Way.
  • Drop off students and chaperones at the shuttle/bus stop on the right.
  • Chaperones need to check in at the Campus Tours Office upon arrival; it's just across the street.

  Bus drivers should continue to parking:

  • At the end of Rupertus Way, turn right onto Russell Lane.
  • Turn left at the stoplight onto Gilman Drive.
  • Turn right at the stop sign onto Voigt Drive.
  • Cross over the freeway and go past Preuss School.
  • Turn left into parking lot P705.
  • Buses with E (exempt) plates may park anywhere in this lot for free.
  • Buses without E (exempt) plates will need one paring permit for each designated parking space.
  • Purchase permits at the machine in the lot, or ahead of time at the Visitor Information Center on Gilman Drive — if the driver is staying with the bus, no fee is required since the bus is on standby.

  Note: Directions to parking areas will vary depending on the time of year and on construction activity/ detours. Check for new information on this page a few days prior to your tour, or make prior parking arrangements with the UCSD Special Events Parking Office by calling (858) 534-9681.

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Questions? Contact Campus Tours Office, (858) 822-4750.