From SAN to campus
San Diego International has two terminals and no trolley stop of its own. The airport points travelers to two transit links:
- San Diego Flyer (free): picks up at the transportation islands outside Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and runs to Old Town Transit Center. SDSU's Green Line guide says it comes every 20 to 30 minutes. At Old Town, board the Green Line heading east and ride to SDSU Transit Center.
- MTS Route 992: connects the airport with downtown, including a stop at Broadway and Kettner Blvd. Santa Fe Depot downtown is another place to catch the Green Line.
The SDSU station is 55 feet underground at the south end of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union. MTS buses 11, 115, 856, 936 and Rapid 215 stop on the transit center's street level mezzanine. To ride, tap a PRONTO card or a Visa or Mastercard on the purple validators before boarding. SDSU's guide notes that a bank card is charged a separate one way fare each time you ride outside a two hour window, with no daily cap.
Driving and parking on campus
From Interstate 8, exit at College Avenue and go south, continue past the Canyon Crest Drive and Alvarado Road light, turn left on Zura Way, then right on East Campus Drive. Admissions sends visitors to Parking 3 (P3), levels one through five, and suggests paying for three hours for a tour.
Visitor permits are sold through the PayByPhone app or website, or online through Offstreet with just a license plate. According to SDSU Parking and Transportation Services, visitor parking is $3.00 per hour for up to 6 hours, or $20.35 for a full day, and payment is enforced at all times, including nights, weekends and holidays. The office's number is (619) 594-6671.
Where families stay
College Area. The closest hotel on an SDSU list is Lamplighter Inn and Suites at SDSU on El Cajon Boulevard, which the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center places 1.2 miles from campus.
Mission Valley and Hotel Circle. Several hotels on SDSU lists are in Mission Valley, including Town and Country on Hotel Circle North, which the Lavin Center puts 10 to 15 minutes away by car. The Green Line runs through this valley too, with Mission Valley Center station six stops from SDSU.
Mission Bay, Pacific Beach, Shelter Island and Harbor Island. Most hotels on SDSU's Family Weekend travel discount list are in these coastal neighborhoods. The Lavin Center puts San Diego Mission Bay Resort 15 to 20 minutes from campus by car, so plan on driving or rideshare rather than walking.
The SDSU Friends and Family Rate
Bartell Hotels partners with SDSU on eight properties, including The Dana on Mission Bay, Pacific Terrace Hotel, Humphreys Half Moon Inn and Days Inn Hotel Circle. Bartell lists 15% off the best available rate plus $5 off overnight parking. Ask for the "SDSU Friends and Family Rate" or call 800-345-9995. The Family Weekend FAQ also mentions travel discounts for Aztec Parents Association members.
Crowded weekends
Family Weekend in early October, Homecoming on Oct. 17 and commencement on May 13 to 16 all bring big crowds. Snapdragon Stadium, where the Family Weekend and Homecoming games are played, is three Green Line stops from SDSU. Family Weekend fees do not include stadium parking, so the trolley is worth considering on game nights. We did not find a published sellout timeline from SDSU or the partner hotels, so reserve a refundable room as soon as a date is announced and adjust later.