International Students: Housing
Here's all the information you need to start (or continue) your housing search while attending UC San Diego. Visit the sites listed below for more detailed information.
Short Term Housing Options
Here are some alternatives to short term housing in San Diego. You must contact the home stay provider, hotel, or hostel directly. The UC San Diego International Center does not arrange temporary accommodations, but offers helpful advice and tips about any questions you may have about housing
Home Stay Programs
Live with an American host family and learn about American culture. Private and shared rooms available. Apply at least 4-6 weeks before arrival.
- Solana Beach Host Family Program
No application fee required.
Providing free short term housing and a cultural exchange with an American family. Serving UCSD students and scholars for over 6 years. - San Diego Homestay
Application fee required. Weekly/monthly rates available. - Homestay Services International
Application fee required. Weekly/monthly rates available. - Scarlett Homestay Services
Application fee required. - HomestayBay San Diego
online directory of homestays to choose from (with no placement fees)
Hotels
There are many hotels near UC San Diego. Some are within walking distance of UC San Diego:
| Best Western by the Sea 7830 Fay Avenue La Jolla, CA 92037 858-459-4461 |
Courtyard by Marriot - Sorrento Valley/La Jolla 9650 Scranton Road San Diego, CA 92121 858-558-9600 |
| Holiday Inn Express Sorrento Valley 5925 Lusk Boulevard San Diego, CA 92121 858-731-0100 |
Homestead San Diego 9880 Pacific Heights Boulevard San Diego, CA 92121 858-623-0100 |
|
Hotel La Jolla at the Shores |
La Jolla Inn 1110 Prospect Street La Jolla, CA 92037 858-454-0133 |
| Marriott Residence Inn 8901 Gilman Drive La Jolla, CA 92037 (858) 587-1770 |
Sheraton La Jolla Hotel Special UC San Diego rates offered 3299 Holiday Court La Jolla, CA 92037 UC San Diego reservation line: (866) 500-0335 |
| Synergy Corporate Housing 800-600-1115 |
Woodfin Hotel San Diego 10044 Pacific Mesa Boulevard San Diego, CA 92121 858-597-0500 |
Youth Hotels
Youth hostels in the San Diego area are far from UC San Diego, but offer dormitory-style housing at a lower rate than hotels. Some have kitchen facilities.
| Banana Bungalow San Diego 707 Reed Avenue San Diego, CA 92109 (858) 273-3060 |
Lucky D's Hostel 615 8th Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 595-0000 |
| Hostelling International-Point Loma 3790 Udall Street San Diego, CA 92107 (619) 223-4778 |
Ocean Beach International Hostel 4961 Newport Avenue Ocean Beach, CA 92107 (619) 223-7873 |
| Hostelling International-San Diego 521 Market Street San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 525-1531 |
USA Hostels San Diego 726 5th Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 619-232-3100 |
Long Term On Campus Housing Options
The UC San Diego Housing and Dining Services Office operates several housing complexes, but on a limited basis. Students are strongly encouraged to apply for on-campus housing as soon as they receive an official admission letter from UC San Diego.
Undergraduate housing
For more information, please visit UC San Diego Housing.
Special housing options:
International House
I-House is an apartment complex of single and double rooms open to single UC San Diego upper-division undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and researchers.
The purpose of this facility is to provide an environment and programs that foster understanding and friendship among individuals from different nations and cultures.
The Village
The Village is a community of apartments and retail spaces for transfer and continuing students, including two high rises with incredible ocean views. All of our affordable resident apartment homes feature modern amenities and a sleek design aesthetic in a prime location—right on campus!
Graduate housing
UC San Diego ARCH Housing consists of six apartment complexes:
- Coast Apartments, La Jolla Del Sol, Mesa Residential Apartments, Single Graduate Apartments, and One Miramar Street , and the Rita Atkinson Residences.
See more information on:
Long Term Off Campus Housing Options
Living in San Diego, especially in La Jolla, is very expensive and it is important to set a realistic budget before beginning to look for a place to live.
Vacancy rates are very low in San Diego and it may take some time to find an apartment.
Be prepared to pay a security deposit equal to one month’s rent (which may be refunded upon leaving) in addition to the first month’s rent.
The following are resources for locating off-campus housing:
UC San Diego Off-Campus Housing Office
UC San Diego's Off-Campus Housing Office is a rental referral and housing information resource center with listings of apartment, house, and condominium rentals, available in a variety of areas around campus and the San Diego community. Roommates, room rentals, and work exchange are listed online and in the office. The Off-Campus Housing Office is an excellent resource for waitlisted students.
Where to live in San Diego
In order to access the Online Housing database, you will need to input your student information. If you are not a student yet, email offcampushousing@ucsd.edu to request a log-in and password.
Alternative housing websites
Some of these links will offer “full vacancy” listings. They are empty apartments for rent, which means you have to find your own roommates
- Uloop.com is specifically for UCSD students, you need a UCSD email to access the site's resources
- UC San Diego Guardian
- San Diego Reader Newspaper
- For Rent.com
- EAP board for Housing
- Penny Saver
Note: The above links are suggestions, not endorsed by the International Center.
Print publications
- The San Diego Union-Tribune Classified Section also lists apartments for rent; Sunday’s edition has the largest number of listings.
- The Reader is a free newspaper containing many housing listings. It is published every Thursday, and is a valuable source of information for apartments for rent and roommates wanted.
- The La Jolla Light is a local newspaper which is published every Thursday and contains listings of properties for rent in nearby areas.
Graduate student listserv
This mailing list includes graduate housing opportunities. For instructions on how to signup for the listserv, visit http://ogs.ucsd.edu.
See Also
Commuter Student Services: A resource center that shares off-campus housing information and enriches the lives of commuter students.
Questions to ask landlords before you rent from them
Contact Us
International Students & Programs Office (ISPO)
Phone: (858) 534-3730
Email: Visit our Contact Us page
Monday through Friday
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
