San Diego State University (SDSU) Parents & Families Guide
San Diego, CA · For families of students far from home
San Diego State University sits just south of Interstate 8 off College Avenue, roughly 20 minutes by car from San Diego International Airport (SAN), with a Green Line trolley station right under campus. SDSU runs on semesters, Family Weekend lands in early October, and first year students live in communities such as Zura, Tenochca, Chapultepec and University Towers.
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SDSU Parents & Families: Far From Home
A private group for parents and families of SDSU students who live far from home. Ask questions, share tips, and get answers from families who've been there.
Coming up
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Homecoming football game vs. Fresno StateAdd to calendar: Homecoming football game vs. Fresno StateSource: Football 2026 Single Game Tickets, San Diego State Athletics | Sat, Oct 17, 20267:30 PM |
| Veterans Day (campus closed)Add to calendar: Veterans Day (campus closed)Source: Fall 2026 Academic Calendar, Office of the Registrar, SDSU | Wed, Nov 11, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving break 2026Add to calendar: Thanksgiving break 2026Source: Fall 2026 Academic Calendar, Office of the Registrar, SDSU | Wed, Nov 25 to Fri, Nov 27, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving housing closureCommunities that close over the breakAdd to calendar: Thanksgiving housing closureSource: Important Dates, SDSU Housing | Wed, Nov 25 to Sun, Nov 29, 20264 PM to 12 PM |
| Last day of fall 2026 classesAdd to calendar: Last day of fall 2026 classesSource: Fall 2026 Academic Calendar, Office of the Registrar, SDSU | Fri, Dec 11, 2026 |
Quick answers
Key dates
- Family Weekend: Oct 2 to 3, 2026
- Thanksgiving break: Nov 25 to 27, 2026
- Commencement: May 13 to 16, 2027
Getting there
- Nearest airport: SAN, about 20 min by car
- Where families stay: College Area (El Cajon Blvd), Mission Valley (Hotel Circle) and Mission Bay
Move in & move out
- Move in: Aug 19 to 21, 2026
- Move out: May 14, 2027
Health & safety
- Student Health Services (Calpulli Center): (619) 594-4325
- SDSU Police Department: (619) 594-1991
Finding your way to campus
The main campus address is 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182. SDSU Admissions tells drivers to leave Interstate 8 at College Avenue, head south, then turn left on Zura Way and right on East Campus Drive to reach Parking 3 (P3), the structure it uses for campus visitors.
If you would rather not rent a car, the trolley is a real option here. The SDSU Transit Center is an underground Green Line station at the south end of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union, and the free San Diego Flyer shuttle connects the airport terminals with the Green Line at Old Town.
How the SDSU year runs
San Diego State uses two semesters. For 2026 to 27, fall classes began Aug. 24 and fall finals run Dec. 12 to 18. The registrar lists Jan. 21, 2027 as the first day of spring classes, with spring break March 29 to April 2 and commencement ceremonies spread over May 13 to 16, 2027.
Housing keeps a separate list of closure dates for Thanksgiving, winter break and spring break. Those dates, not the last class, are usually what decide your student's flight.
Family Weekend and Homecoming
Family Weekend is SDSU's big fall visit. The 29th annual edition is Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, anchored by an Aztec football game at Snapdragon Stadium, and its picnic, brunch and tailgate all sold out this year. Homecoming follows two weeks later with a 7:30 p.m. game against Fresno State on Oct. 17.
Where students live
Housing names eight first year communities: Chapultepec, Huāxyacac, Maya and Olmeca, South Campus Plaza, Tenochca, Texcoco, University Towers and Zura. Second year and upper division students move into places like Aztec Corner, Viva, M@College, Piedra del Sol and Villa Alvarado. Packages never go to the room. Resident mail runs through three campus UPS Store locations, and M@College is the one community they do not serve.
The parent office
Family programs sit under Orientation, Transition and Family Engagement (some SDSU pages still use the older name, New Student and Parent Programs). The Parent Hotline is (619) 594-1653, and the Aztec Parents Association offers event invitations plus travel discounts for members.
What else is in this hub
Use the other pages for the full 2026 to 27 date list, airport and hotel details, move in and move out steps, health and safety contacts near campus, and an FAQ with a who to call directory. Every fact links to the SDSU or public page it came from.
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Questions SDSU parents ask
Is this the official San Diego State University parent group?
No. Far From Home is an independent parent community supported by College Cubbies. For official information, visit the San Diego State University parent and family page.
When is SDSU Family Weekend in 2026?
The 29th Annual Family Weekend is Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, with the schedule running through Sunday, Oct. 4. Registration has closed and the picnic, brunch and tailgate are sold out. Saturday's football game against Texas State is at 7:30 p.m. at Snapdragon Stadium.
When is Thanksgiving break at SDSU in 2026?
There are no classes Wednesday, Nov. 25, and campus is closed Nov. 26 and 27. Housing communities that close for the break shut at 4 p.m. on Nov. 25 and reopen at noon on Nov. 29.
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