Best San Diego Neighborhoods for Students

San Diego is a good student city because of its combination of universities, beautiful nature, and city entertainment. Whether you want to be in the center of all the activity, spend time getting your heart rate up with outdoor activities, or relax and enjoy the peace and quiet, you can get it all living in San Diego.

There are plenty of colleges in San Diego to choose from. For those seeking large universities, San Diego State University (SDSU) and the University of California - San Diego (UCSD) could be a great fit. If you’re wanting a more intimate experience, check out the University of San Diego (USD) and San Diego Mesa College. To make the most of your experience, discover the best neighborhoods in San Diego for students and find the one that aligns with your lifestyle:

• College West
• College East
• Mission Valley
• Clairemont
• University City
• La Jolla Village
• Linda Vista
• Hillcrest
• Grantville
• Pacific Beach

College West

• Nearby colleges: San Diego State University, the Art Institute of California – San Diego, University of California – San Diego Medical Center, San Diego Continuing Education
• WalkScore Rating: 78/100
• TransitScore Rating: 54/100
• BikeScore Rating: 47/100

Containing SDSU, College West puts students next to everything they need. Dining and shopping options, like Dirt Birds College Area and Ugly Dog Pub, lie along El Cajon Boulevard to the south of the neighborhood. When you’re on campus and need a quick bite to eat or to buy something, check out South Campus Plaza. See the nature-filled campus and discover lesser-known corners by wandering the many trails winding through the area.

There are tons of apartments right next to campus, and most of the sororities and fraternities are centered around Fraternity Row on Hardy Avenue. If you live farther out, clear sidewalks make getting to campus on foot or bike easy. Driving or taking a bus gets you to campus quickly, and there are plenty of bus lines that service SDSU. For some time in the city, the Green Line goes straight to Downtown San Diego.

College East

• Nearby colleges: San Diego State University, Grossmont College, University of California – San Diego Medical Center, the Art Institute of California – San Diego
• WalkScore Rating: 81/100
• TransitScore Rating: 50/100
• BikeScore Rating: 52/100

College East, as its name implies, is east of SDSU, making it a convenient place for students to live. It is quieter in this neighborhood because it is not the epicenter of campus. However, it can still get lively near campus and on El Cajon Boulevard where there are highly frequented shops and restaurants.

Many walk, bike, or drive to SDSU as El Cajon Boulevard to Montezuma Road will take you there. There are buses that go through the area, but it may take a transfer to get where you need to be. To get Downtown, the Green Line trolley is the best option.

Mission Valley

• Nearby colleges: the Art Institute of California – San Diego, University of California – San Diego Medical Center, University of San Diego, San Diego Continuing Education
• WalkScore Rating: 55/100
• TransitScore Rating: 49/100
• BikeScore Rating: 48/100

Mission Valley is perfect for those looking to be in the center of San Diego while still having easy access to campus. Being on the Green Line means it is a short trolley ride to SDSU, USD, or Downtown. It is along the Mission Valley Freeway, making commutes by car a breeze. The neighborhood has plenty to do like shopping and dining at the Mission Valley shopping mall or Fashion Valley. If getting outside is more your thing, then the San Diego River Trail and Civita Park are places you must check out.

Clairemont

• Nearby colleges: San Diego Mesa College, San Diego Continuing Education, University of San Diego, the Art Institute of California – San Diego
• WalkScore Rating: 74/100
• TransitScore Rating: 38/100
• BikeScore Rating: 57/100

Outside of University City sits Clairemont, which is great for students going to nearby colleges because of the transportation options. Buses can get you to any college, or you can take a car on one of the highways the area is surrounded by. You will most likely need a car to commute unless you are okay with taking several buses. Close to the ocean, it is only a short trip to get to Pacific Beach or La Jolla Shores Beach.

If you are staying within the neighborhood, it is very bikeable and walkable area. Tecolote Canyon and San Clemente Canyon snake through Clairemont, offering hiking trails through the natural side of San Diego. The area has no huge malls, but several centers with big-box stores fulfill basic shopping needs.

University City

• Nearby colleges: University of California – San Diego, San Diego Mesa College, San Diego Continuing Education
• WalkScore Rating: 52/100
• TransitScore Rating: 47/100
• BikeScore Rating: 62/100

University City is where many University of California – San Diego students choose to live as it is right next to the main campus and contains East Campus. Residents love the variety of activities, from shopping at Westfield UTC to a hike at Rose Canyon. For some time on the sand and in the water, Torrey Pines City Beach and La Jolla Shores Beach are west past UCSD. There is plenty of public transport, with many buses running through the area and the UC San Diego Blue Line.

La Jolla Village

• Nearby colleges: University of California – San Diego, San Diego Mesa College, San Diego Continuing Education
• WalkScore Rating: 71
• TransitScore Rating: 59
• BikeScore Rating: 64

La Jolla Village is extremely popular for affordable rent and being south of UCSD. The Blue Line and San Diego Freeway run to the east of La Jolla Village for all your travel needs. Walking to campus can be viable if you live close enough; if not, it might be better to bike or take the bus.

If you go to the beach frequently, La Jolla Village is a great place to live as it is a short ride to La Jolla Shore Beach or Torrey Pines City Beach. There are a couple of small parks in the neighborhood, but most choose to take the trip to bigger outdoor areas. All your shopping can be handled at the Shops at La Jolla Village and La Jolla Village Square.

Linda Vista

• Nearby colleges: University of San Diego, San Diego Continuing Education, San Diego Mesa College, the Art Institute of California – San Diego
• WalkScore Rating: 64/100
• TransitScore Rating: 45/100
• BikeScore Rating: 53/100

Primarily residential, Linda Vista has a relaxed vibe near colleges and entertainment. With the Blue Line running north/south and the Green Line running east/west, students in this neighborhood can get to any university. If you’d rather drive, then the Cabrillo Freeway, Mission Valley Freeway, and San Diego Freeway can get you to where you need to be, whether by bus or car.

Within Linda Vista, Tecolote Canyon and Linda Vista Park are popular destinations for some exercise and time outside. Directly south in Mission Valley, Fashion Valley is convenient for shopping or dining needs. If you don’t mind a short drive west, Mission Bay has plenty of water, beaches, and paved trails to enjoy.

Hillcrest

• Nearby colleges: University of California – San Diego Medical Center, California Western School of Law, the Art Institute of California – San Diego, University of San Diego
• WalkScore Rating: 91
• TransitScore Rating: 52
• BikeScore Rating: 65

Hillcrest may be a little far from the big universities for some students, but it more than makes up for that with its many boutiques and restaurants and its proximity to Downtown San Diego. University Avenue is lined with retail and dining that many residents frequent during weekends and evenings. Touching the south part of the neighborhood, Balboa Park has the San Diego Zoo and many museums, gardens, and trails.

Several bus lines run through Hillcrest that take you into Downtown San Diego or other parts of the city. Cabrillo Freeway is the closest major roadway and can take you to both the San Diego Freeway and Mission Valley Freeway. The Blue Line and Green Line run alongside the San Diego Freeway, but you will need to drive to get to a station.

Grantville

• Nearby colleges: San Diego State University, the Art Institute of California – San Diego, San Diego Continuing Education, San Diego Mesa College
• WalkScore Rating: 75/100
• TransitScore Rating: 44/100
• BikeScore Rating: 47/100

For students wanting a quiet area to commute to San Diego State University, Grantville is the perfect choice. With a couple of buses, the Green Line, Escondido Freeway, and Mission Valley Freeway, renters have several options to get to SDSU or wherever they need to be.

With a selection of stores and restaurants, you won’t have to go far for groceries or dinner. Rueda Canyon and Navajo Canyon are right next to the neighborhood, but if you want a bigger outdoor space, Mission Trails Regional Park is an easy shot on Mission Gorge Road.

Pacific Beach

• Nearby colleges: San Diego Mesa College, University of San Diego, San Diego Continuing Education, the Art Institute of California – San Diego
• WalkScore Rating: 87
• TransitScore Rating: 42
• BikeScore Rating: 63

While Pacific Beach is not that close to any college, it is the perfect choice for students who prioritize being close to the beach and ocean. It is a bustling area, from the shops and restaurants along Garnet Avenue to the packed beaches. The neighborhood has several beaches, as well as being next to Mission Bay for even more outdoor activities.

As a popular tourist destination, Pacific Beach is packed during the peak season. You will have to drive or take several buses and the Green Line and Blue Line to get to college — be prepared for a longer commute if you choose Pacific Beach.

Find the Perfect Rental on Apartments.com

San Diego is good for college students because of its variety of rentals and neighborhoods that are near whatever university you go to. Let Apartments.com help you discover the perfect apartment that checks all your boxes. Narrow down your choices with the ability to filter by price, beds/baths, home type, popular amenities, and more to find the ideal match.

Apartment rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s April 2025 rent report.