Welcome to University City
Coveted centrally-located community with much to offer
University City is a coveted community of family-friendly neighborhoods near the University of California San Diego campus in San Diego’s northeast. Commonly abbreviated to UTC, University City is bounded by Interstate 5 and La Jolla to the west, and Interstate 805, Sorrento Valley, and Miramar to the east. A big part of UTC’s appeal is its central location—it’s easy to get to Downtown San Diego, the beaches along the western coastline, and Del Mar to San Diego’s north.
University City has many gorgeous ones- and two-story single-family homes in a range of styles with spacious yards. There are also many low-rise apartments and condominium buildings dotted throughout the community.
What to Love
People & Lifestyle
University City is a calm community with a diverse population. Good public schools and many parks with playgrounds make the area popular with young families. Lots of residents have lived in the area for generations, while its combination of peaceful residential areas, abundant amenities, and convenient access to other San Diego areas has attracted many young professionals. University City is a major contributor to the city’s economy and houses a large number of tech-related businesses.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Westfield UTC is a large outdoor mall near UCSD with many upscale shopping and dining options. The mall is anchored by Macy’s and Nordstrom department stores and a 14-screen
Arclight Cinema.
Javier’s Cantina at Westfield is a stylish Mexican restaurant with unique décor and great drinks. Westfield also has a food court with choices such as
Tender Greens, one of our favorite salad spots in San Diego. UTC also has several smaller shopping centers offering a good mix of retail and restaurants.
Across Genesee Avenue from Westfield, Costa Verde Center has more than 40 businesses, including Barnes & Noble and
Bristol Farms for gourmet groceries.
Draft Republic at Costa Verde is a fun sports bar with 38 beers on tap and innovative takes on classic American gastropub cooking. Restaurants at
Renaissance Town Center include French bistro
Cote D’Azur, a hidden gem that’s great for lunch or a quick afternoon bite. University City Marketplace on Governor Drive offers local services, stores, and a
Sprouts Farmers' Market. Across the street,
Outcast Grill is a local favorite for American and Mediterranean-style dinners, breakfast burritos, and craft beer.
Things to Do
Westfield UTC is more than just a great place to shop. There are several parks within the mall, including the off-leash
Bark Park for four-legged friends. Many seasonal events are held at the mall, and the
Plaza Unplugged series features live acoustic sets around the Palm Plaza fountain every week on Wednesday through Sunday.
Other public spaces within University City include
Marcy Park, a neighborhood green space with a playground at the rim of a picturesque canyon.
Doyle Community Park has baseball and soccer fields, a playground, and an indoor recreation center offering kid-friendly programs and classes.
Standley Recreation Center also has great classes for toddlers and youths. Events at Standley Rec Center and the park surrounding it include outdoor summer movie nights and seasonal celebrations, such as a Halloween Carnival.
Schools
Public schools within University City are operated by the San Diego Unified School District. Highlights include:
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Curie Elementary School, Public, K-5
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Spreckels Elementary School, Public, K-5
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University City High School, Public, 9-12
