Explore University City

As one of the nation’s leading research universities, UC San Diego runs billions of dollars in scientific research programs annually and anchors the La Jolla mesa’s world-renowned scientific research park on the cliffs overlooking Torrey Pines. It is also home to the Epstein Family Amphitheater, Geisel Library, La Jolla Playhouse, Birch Aquarium, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and several public art exhibitions like the world-famous Stuart Collection as well as several NCAA Division I sports teams. The university’s commitment to arts, culture and community engagement extends beyond La Jolla to it’s Park & Market facility in the heart of Downtown San Diego.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, located on the cliffs above Torrey Pines State Beach in San Diego just north of La Jolla, is a 1,750 acre reserve dedicated to preserving its namesake, the Torrey Pine tree and other indigenous wildlife in its native environment. A coastal wilderness of pine forests and sandstone canyons, the park has a series of well-kept trails that wind along the cliffs offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. With both easy, family-friendly paths and more advanced trails, the park provides a great hiking experience for all levels.

(Note: Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve has limited access through February 2026 due to a construction project. The park road, upper parking lots, and all trails within the main reserve are closed to vehicles and pedestrians.  The South Beach and North Beach parking lots as well as Torrey Pines State Beach remain open.)

Torrey Pines boasts two of the most picturesque championship 18-hole golf courses in the world. Situated atop cliffs towering above the Pacific Ocean, golfers can marvel at the breathtaking views of the coastline and deep ravines, and nature lovers can spot the famous Torrey Pines trees that are indigenous to the area. Torrey Pines is a municipal golf course, owned and operated by the City of San Diego. In addition to the North and South courses, facilities include a driving range, practice putting greens, food and beverage carts and a restaurant at the Lodge at Torrey Pines.

Westfield UTC is one of San Diego's top open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations. The center has beautifully landscaped plazas and gardens, on-trend fashion boutiques, award-winning chef-led restaurants, many wellness amenities, high-standard services & amenities, and much more. In addition to innovative and first-to-market brands, Westfield UTC offers a robust and ever-growing portfolio of leading global brands, luxury concepts, local favorites, and experiential escapes like play spaces and a movie theater.

La Jolla Playhouse is a place where artists and audiences come together to create what’s new and next in the American theater – from Tony Award-winning productions, to imaginative programs for young audiences, to interactive experiences outside our walls. Founded in 1947 by Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and Mel Ferrer, the Playhouse is currently led by Tony Award-winning Artistic Director Christopher Ashley and Managing Director Debby Buchholz. It is located within the campus of UC San Diego. The Playhouse is internationally renowned for the development of new plays and musicals, mounting 108 world premieres, commissioning 70 new works, and sending 35 productions to Broadway – including the hit musicals COME FROM AWAY and JERSEY BOYS – and garnering dozens of Tony Awards, among them the 1993 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre.

Where in San Diego can you find a 180-ton teddy bear made out of concrete? Or a crooked house perched precariously on the edge of a seven-story building? How about a eucalyptus tree that recites poetry and music? Sounds like something Alice would find when climbing through the looking glass. But believe it or not, such wonders are spread over the UC San Diego campus in La Jolla. They are just a few of the internationally renowned public artworks in the Stuart Collection, which includes 18 site-specific sculptures commissioned from the leading artists of our time.