UC San Diego (UCSD) Parents & Families Guide
La Jolla, CA · For families of students far from home
UC San Diego sits in La Jolla, about 14 miles from San Diego International Airport (SAN), and runs on quarters rather than semesters. Family Weekend is Oct 16 to 18, 2026, and every undergraduate belongs to one of eight colleges. Here is what far away families tend to need first.
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UCSD Parents & Families: Far From Home
A private group for parents and families of UCSD students who live far from home. Ask questions, share tips, and get answers from families who've been there.
Coming up
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Family Weekend 2026Add to calendar: Family Weekend 2026Source: Family Weekend, UC San Diego Parent and Family Programs | Fri, Oct 16 to Sun, Oct 18, 2026 |
| Veterans Day holiday (no classes)Add to calendar: Veterans Day holiday (no classes)Source: Academic and Administrative Calendar 2026 to 2027 | Wed, Nov 11, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving holidayAdd to calendar: Thanksgiving holidaySource: Academic and Administrative Calendar 2026 to 2027 | Thu, Nov 26 to Fri, Nov 27, 2026 |
| Fall quarter instruction endsAdd to calendar: Fall quarter instruction endsSource: Academic and Administrative Calendar 2026 to 2027 | Fri, Dec 4, 2026 |
| Fall quarter 2026 final examsAdd to calendar: Fall quarter 2026 final examsSource: Academic and Administrative Calendar 2026 to 2027 | Sat, Dec 5 to Sat, Dec 12, 2026 |
Quick answers
Key dates
- Family Weekend: Oct 16 to 18, 2026
- Thanksgiving break: Nov 26 to 27, 2026
- Commencement: Jun 12 to 13, 2027
Getting there
- Nearest airport: SAN, about 20 min by car
- Where families stay: La Jolla (3299 Holiday Ct.), Mission Bay (1710 W Mission Bay Dr.) and Mission Valley, Hotel Circle (543 Hotel Circle South)
Move in & move out
- Move in: Sep 16 to 20, 2026
- Move out: Jun 12, 2027
Health & safety
- UC San Diego Student Health Services (SHS): (858) 249-3400
- UC San Diego Police Department: (858) 534-4357
- Urgent care: UC San Diego Health Urgent Care
Where your student lives
UC San Diego occupies about 1,200 acres in La Jolla, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Every undergraduate belongs to one of eight colleges: Revelle, John Muir, Thurgood Marshall, Earl Warren, Eleanor Roosevelt, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth. Each college has its own general education requirements, support services and residential neighborhood, so the first thing worth learning is which college your student is in. Housing also runs upper division communities, including Pepper Canyon East and West, Rita Atkinson Residences, Matthews Apartments and Pangea.
Flying in
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is about 14 miles from campus, around 20 minutes by rideshare depending on traffic, according to a UC San Diego travel page. If you would rather skip the car, the UC San Diego Blue Line trolley has stops at UC San Diego Central Campus and UC San Diego Health, and MTS Route 992 links the airport terminals with downtown trolley stations.
Quarters, not semesters
The year is split into fall, winter and spring quarters. Fall instruction started Thursday, Sept 24, 2026, and fall finals end Saturday, Dec 12. Winter quarter starts Jan 4, 2027, spring break falls in late March, and spring finals wrap up Friday, June 11. Commencement programs follow on June 12 and 13. Because classes run into mid June, summer jobs, internships and the flight home all start later than they would at a semester school.
Family Weekend
Parent and Family Programs has set Family Weekend 2026 for Friday, Oct 16 through Sunday, Oct 18. Registration details were not posted yet when we checked, so keep an eye on the Family Weekend page.
Your first call
The Parent and Family Programs office runs a Parents' Helpline at (858) 534-7273 and reads email at parents@ucsd.edu. It is a sensible starting point when you are not sure which office handles your question, and its Family Calendar is the most parent friendly view of the year, with breaks, holidays and insurance waiver deadlines in one place.
What this hub covers
The Dates page lists the 2026 to 27 calendar with links to each official source. Travel covers SAN, the trolley, visitor parking rates and the hotels on the school's partner list. Move in and move out walks through college check in and the June 12, 2027 housing deadline. Local life has health care, police, mail and groceries near campus, and the FAQ closes with a who to call directory.
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Questions UCSD parents ask
Is this the official University of California San Diego parent group?
No. Far From Home is an independent parent community supported by College Cubbies. For official information, visit the University of California San Diego parent and family page.
When is UC San Diego Family Weekend 2026?
Friday, Oct 16 to Sunday, Oct 18, 2026, according to Parent and Family Programs. Registration and schedule details had not been posted when we checked, so watch the Family Weekend page.
Does UC San Diego get a full week off for Thanksgiving?
No. The registrar lists the Thanksgiving holiday as Thursday and Friday, Nov 26 and 27, 2026. Fall classes end Dec 4 and finals run Dec 5 to 12.
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