UC San Diego's shopping starts at Price Center, the student center in the middle of campus just south of Geisel Library. For everything else, students head two ways: south along Villa La Jolla Drive to The Shops at La Jolla Village for groceries and errands, or east to Westfield UTC, which the Blue Line trolley reaches from the campus stations. La Jolla Village, our La Jolla district, is a short drive west for gifts, books and dinner by the cove.
The UC San Diego Bookstore is in Price Center (9500 Gilman Dr). It carries textbooks and general books, clothing, gifts, computers, medical resources and supplies, and the limited-edition Triton Legacy Collection of shirts, sweatshirts and hats in adult and youth sizes. Perks coffee shop is inside the store. Hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 11am to 4pm; it is closed on Sundays, and exceptions are posted on the bookstore's website. Phone (858) 534-2230.
The Shops at La Jolla Village (8825 Villa La Jolla Dr), just south of campus, covers most move-in errands. Whole Foods Market anchors it and is open daily 7am to 10pm; CVS Pharmacy (8831 Villa La Jolla Dr) handles toiletries and prescriptions, FedEx Office (8849) does printing and shipping, and Nordstrom Rack has clothes and shoes at off-price. The center also has Cava, BJ's Brewhouse and Bacio di Latte for a quick meal.
A Short Trolley Ride From Class
Westfield UTC (4545 La Jolla Village Dr) is the big open-air mall east of campus, anchored by Nordstrom and Macy's. Apple UTC (4305 La Jolla Village Dr) is open Mon–Sat 10am–8pm and Sun 11am–7pm for laptops and repairs. Sun Diego Boardshop sells surf, skate and beach gear, and Geppetto's Toys is the place for a gift for a younger sibling. The Blue Line ends at the UTC Transit Center, so the mall is a short ride from either campus station.
For official Triton gear, the Bookstore in Price Center has the Triton Legacy Collection; go on a weekday or Saturday, since it is closed Sundays. For something with more of a story, Warwick's (7812 Girard Ave), the family-owned bookstore in La Jolla since 1939, has a big stationery and pen counter and hosts author talks most weeks. Our La Jolla Village walk covers the boutiques and galleries around it.
On campus. Dora (9165 Scholars Dr S), across the street from La Jolla Playhouse, is a Southern Italian restaurant from chef Accursio Lota, named for his grandmother. Price Center's two food courts cover quick meals.
At UTC. Din Tai Fung (4301 La Jolla Village Dr) is known for its xiao long bao, and the mall also has Seasons 52, Javier's, Teleferic Barcelona and Ramen Nagi.
With parents. George's at the Cove (1250 Prospect St), across from La Jolla Cove, is a three-level restaurant with a rooftop terrace; book a window table for sunset. Our MICHELIN guide lists every starred and Bib Gourmand restaurant in the city.
Trolley. Since November 21, 2021 the Blue Line has run from San Ysidro through downtown and Old Town to UTC, with two stations on campus: UC San Diego Central Campus (9482 Innovation Lane, at the Pepper Canyon neighborhood) and UC San Diego Health La Jolla (3783 Voigt Dr, by the medical center on East Campus). North of them are Executive Drive and the UTC terminus.
Shuttles and buses. Triton Transit shuttles stop at both stations. MTS bus routes serving campus include the 30 (Old Town–UTC) and the 41 (Fashion Valley–UCSD); check MTS for current schedules.
