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Five fun things to do near the school

Explore the cultural atmosphere of the historic Gaslamp Quarter, with its museums, theatres and restaurants.
Shop amongst the unique architecture of Horton Plaza, a quirky and colourful outdoor shopping mall.
Take the trolley bus to Tijuana in Mexico! Tijuana is right on the border and offers shopping, bars, clubs and restaurants.
Take a day (or more) in Balboa Park. Here you can visit the animals at San Diego Zoo or enjoy more than 15 museums, including the Air and Space Museum, the Museum of Photographic Arts, the Model Railroad Museum, and the Sports Museum.
Check out the yachts at the Marina - or take a trip around the bay yourself.

San Diego Events

January San Diego Marathon: You can watch or even walk the route yourself as a 'non-competitor'.
San Diego Restaurant Week : Dine out every night of the week with special fixed prices across many of the city's eating places.
March Kite Festival : This beach event is a great opportunity for photographs.
April Art Walk: Enjoy watching artists at work, listen to musicians and watch buskers and dancers out in the street.
May Cinco de Mayo: A celebration of Mexican food, dance and culture.
August Blues Festival, Bluegrass Festival and Ukulele Festival: August is a great month for music-lovers in San Diego.
December Whale watching This is the time of year to take a boat trip and catch grey whales on their annual migration route.
Parade of Lights A one-of-a-kind spectacular evening boat parade.

Links

Sign on San Diego The most comprehensive guide to San Diego - packed with information on performing arts, where to go, music, events, nightlife, movies and dining out.
Sea World Sea World is home to many marine creatures and attractions. This site is also in Spanish, French, German and Japanese.
San Diego Zoo One of the world's largest and most famous zoos, which has a collection of over 800 animal species and 6,500 plant species.
Balboa Park Find out what's on in each of the major museums, and what else awaits you at this beautiful urban cultural park.
Gaslamp Quarter See what awaits you in this historic quarter, from events to restaurants.
Horton Plaza on Wikipedia Photos give some idea of what awaits you at this unique mall.

Yachts on the water with the skyline of San Diego in the background

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San Diego: local information

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School facts:

Class size average 15 students
Number of students average 140, maximum 250
Number of teachers 5 full-time; 10 part-time
Minimum student age 16
Average student age 20-22
Internet Wireless internet available throughout the school; access to the school's 24 computers is available from before class to after class (8 a.m. to 5 pm; 4 pm on Fridays)
Facilities Multimedia computer lab; comfortable student common room with vending machines, fridge, microwave, daily newspapers etc; library; interactive whiteboards in some classrooms .
Accessibility Accessible to students with visual impairment, hearing impairment and wheelchairs.

Nearest bus stop: 5 minutes' walk
Nearest trolley stop: around the corner
Nearest shopping centre: 7 minutes' walk
Nearest park: 15 minutes' walk
Nearest post office: 5 minutes' walk
Nearest mosque: 30 minutes by bus
Nearest church: 20 minutes' walk
Nearest newsagent: 3 minutes' walk
Nearest restaurant: across the street
Nearest coffee shop: across the street
Nearest supermarket: 15 minutes' walk
Nearest cinema: 10 minutes' walk
Nearest bookshop: 10 minutes' walk
Nearest bicycle hire: 5 minutes' walk
Nearest beach: 15 minutes' walk
Nearest bank: 1 minute's walk

Cost of Living

We currently advise that students should budget approximately US $ 350 per week. This will cover all transport, food and entertainment costs.

A few sample prices (all in US $):

Item	Price
Item	Price
A cup of coffee (in a chain like Starbucks)	3.00
Can of Coca Cola	1.50
Big Mac hamburger	3.50
Three course meal in a mid range restaurant	Approx 20.00
Takeaway, e.g. from a noodle bar	6.00
Cinema ticket	10.50
Nightclub entrance	Varying cover charges, must be 21 to enter
Bus	Day pass 5.00, with reductions for multiple days; monthly bus pass 72.00 (36.00 for under-18s)
Taxi	$2.50 per mile (roughly); $10 to the airport
Trolley	2.50 per ride
Train ticket	Depending on destination

(information last updated Nov 2009)

Prices are in US $. Access a currency converter here.

How to reach Embassy San Diego

Trolley

Take the orange or blue trolley line to the Downtown 5th Avenue and C Street trolley stop. Exit and walk up 6th Avenue (away from the Bay) one block to B Street. There you will see the Comerica Bank building. Enter the building and take one of the elevators on the right to the 17th floor.

Bus

Take bus route 7, 7A, 34 or 15 to 10th Avenue and Broadway. Exit and walk north (away from the Bay) to B Street. Turn left and walk three blocks to 7th Avenue. There you will see the Comerica Bank building. Enter the building and take one of the elevators on the right to the 17th floor.

(information last updated July 2008)

Links:

San Diego International Airport Everything you need to know if you are flying into or out of San Diego.
SD Commute This site covers buses and light rail as well as containing airport information. Find out the quickest way between two points with the useful online journey planner.

San Diego facts

Hottest month August, 95° F. Bring: t-shirts, shorts, sandals, sun hats, plus a light jacket and trousers for evenings.
Coldest month December, 60° F. Bring: layers, including t-shirts, sweaters, jeans and a jacket.
Weather now Five-day forecast from the BBC
Time zone Pacific Standard Time (PST) Time now World Clock
Best known for Beautiful beaches, fabulous weather, Mexican food, a lively nightlife, museums and attractions.