The metropolitan area consists of numerous, separate communities connected with a sprawling freeway system. Transit buses and trolleys also serve most of the campuses and attractions. Downtown San Diego is home to Horton Plaza, the Gaslamp Quarter District and Old Town, where Spanish heritage can be found in the architecture and cuisine.

The City is alive with Sea World, the Padres, Chargers and Gulls professional sports teams and of course the San Diego Zoo. Coronado is accessible by bridge or ferry and La Jolla is due north on I-5. Balboa Park hosts the zoo and many of the areas numerous museums. Photos from world-renowned photographers like Ansel Adams are on display in the Museum of Photographic Arts. The San Diego Museum of Art, known for its Spanish Baroque and Renaissance paintings, features works by El Greco, Goya and Rubens. The Museum of Contemporary Art's permanent collection includes post-1950's artists from Andy Warhol to Frank Stella. Restored ships at the Maritime Museum give a historical glimpse of the city's heyday as a commercial seaport.

San Diego is well known for its beaches, sand and surf, but this place also rocks when the sun goes down. Music hot spots and clubs span the spectrum from jazz to rock to country. Almost all of the areas colleges and universities host a wide range of theatre, music and dance events. All of these facilities and venues are used to great advantage by students. Without question, America's Finest City is one of the most fascinating, stimulating and appealing places to attend college, career or graduate school.