SDSU Top 10 Traffic and Parking Tips

1. Arrive Early: If you choose to drive, arrive as early as possible, especially for classes before noon.

2. Take the Trolley:  Park your car for free at any of the convenient trolley stops throughout San Diego and ride directly to campus.  Trolley schedules, fares, maps and other information are available at www.sdcommute.com.

3. Use Alternative Traffic Routes: During peak hours from 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., consider using these alternatives to the College Avenue exit off Interstate 8:

• From Interstate 8, take the 70th Street exit south to El Cajon Boulevard; turn right onto El Cajon Boulevard and right onto Montezuma Road to the access roads for Parking Structures 3 and 6.
• Use State Route 94 and exit at College Avenue.  Take College Avenue north to Montezuma Road and turn right or left, depending on your destination.
• From Interstate 8, take the Fairmount Avenue exit. Take Fairmount Avenue south to merge onto Montezuma Road. Turn left on 55th Street to access the west side parking lots.

4. Plan Ahead: Students are encouraged to plan their trips to campus ahead of time in order to make the fewest trips to and from campus.  Figure out which lot and traffic route will be the most timely and convenient if driving.  Examine the trolley schedule for the best departure time from your location.

5. Park on the East Side of Campus: If arriving on campus after 8 a.m. during the first weeks of the fall semester, park east of College Avenue in Lot C or D or in Parking Structure 3 or 6.

6. Ride the Bus: The street-level bus plaza above the San Diego State trolley stop is served by Metropolitan Transit Service bus routes 11, 14, 15, 115, 856, 936 and 955. Discounted transit passes are available at the Aztec Center ticket office. For more information, call 1-800-COMMUTE.

7. Car Pool: The SDSU “School Pool” Rideshare Program is free to all students, faculty and staff and you don’t need to own a car to participate.  You will be matched with other SDSU commuters who live near you.  Those interested can apply online at http://www.dps.sdsu.edu/carpool.htm. For further information, call 511.

8. Park and Pedal: A favorite place to park off-campus and bike to SDSU is off Montezuma Road toward El Cajon Boulevard. The bike ride is approximately one mile on level streets. City streets immediately surrounding the campus are designated “B” parking zones and require a city-issued permit.

9. Use the Campus Escort Service: The Campus Escort Service is available seven days a week from dusk to dawn, and can be accessed from all campus locations, as well as Greek houses and University Towers. Students, faculty and staff can take advantage of this free service by calling 594-6659.  A department employee will meet you within approximately 15 minutes to escort you to your destination. There is no charge to dial from a campus pay phone or campus emergency phone.

10. Use the Free SDSU Red/Black Shuttle: The campus loop shuttle vans run Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m.- 10 p.m. along a one-way, 11-stop route providing access to several peripheral parking lots.

The Parking Information Kiosk can help direct visitors to open pay parking lots and provide campus directions. The booth is located on the first floor of the Chemical Sciences Building on the corner of College Avenue and Canyon Crest Drive.