UC San Diego graduation weekend 2027: things to do in San Diego

Saturday, 12 June 2027 · ExpectedSan Diego, United States

UC San Diego Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to San Diego for a weekend. The ceremony takes a morning: this guide covers where to stay, the celebration dinner and what to do with the rest of the time.

Tours in San Diego Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Confirm the date and ticket rules on the school's commencement page: guest tickets are often limited.
Book the celebration dinner when you book the hotel. Every restaurant in town is full that weekend.

Airport to RIMAC Field, La Jolla

San Diego International (SAN) is 10 minutes from downtown, right next to MCRD.

UC San Diego Blue Line trolley to campus.

Public transport directions to RIMAC Field, La Jolla

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Old Town and Mission Valley	Chain hotels on the trolley.
Mid-range	Gaslamp and Little Italy	Walk to the Convention Center.
Splurge	Coronado and La Jolla	Beach resorts.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Holiday Inn Express San Diego Airport-Old Town
Mid-range: Hotel Republic San Diego
Splurge: Hotel del Coronado

Links search the nights from 11 June to 13 June. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual graduation weekend schedule for Saturday, 12 June 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Friday 11 June

Check in, walk the campus with your graduate and book a celebration dinner.

FreeSunset Cliffs.
EatPhil's BBQ Ribs near the airport

Ceremony day

Saturday 12 June

Ceremonies take the morning. The afternoon is for photos and a long lunch.

EatLiberty Public Market Food hall in Point Loma, near MCRD
Easy outingHarbor cruise Half day · Low walking · Family
Navy ships and sea lions.

The day after

Sunday 13 June

A free day before everyone leaves. A good time for a trip out of town.

Half-dayWhale watching Half day · Family
Gray whales in winter.
EatLittle Italy Mercato Saturday market

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickSan Diego Zoo Full day · Family
Balboa Park.
Rain or heat backupUSS Midway Museum Half day · Family · Indoor
Aircraft carrier museum.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Low walking · Family

Harbor cruise

Navy ships and sea lions.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Whale watching

Gray whales in winter.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

San Diego Zoo

Balboa Park.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

USS Midway Museum

Aircraft carrier museum.

See times and prices

SeaWorld San Diego.
Legoland in Carlsbad.
Birch Aquarium.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Nightlife · Food

Gaslamp brewery tour

Craft beer capital.

See times and prices

Full day

Tijuana day trip

Walk across with a guide; check passport rules.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

San Diego Zoo

Balboa Park.

See times and prices

After dark

Gaslamp Quarter.

8 tours worth booking for UC San Diego

Tour	Length	Good for
Harbor cruise	Half day	Tired legs, Families
Whale watching	Half day	Families
Old Town food tour	Half day	Food lovers
Tijuana day trip	Full day	Everyone
San Diego Zoo	Full day	Families
USS Midway Museum	Half day	Families, Bad weather
La Jolla kayak and snorkel	Half day	Families
Gaslamp brewery tour	Evening	Night owls, Food lovers

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Liberty Public Market Food hall in Point Loma, near MCRD
Little Italy Mercato Saturday market
Oscar's Mexican Seafood Fish tacos
Phil's BBQ Ribs near the airport

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Family · Indoor

USS Midway Museum

Aircraft carrier museum.

See times and prices

Fleet Science Center.
Natural History Museum.

Getting around on event days

Trolley lines serve downtown, Old Town and the border; MTS buses and rideshare elsewhere.

Day trips from San Diego

La Jolla: 25 minutes
Temecula wine country: 1 hour
Carlsbad: 40 minutes

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for UC San Diego.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is UC San Diego Commencement 2027?

The next edition is Saturday, 12 June 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to RIMAC Field, La Jolla?

San Diego International (SAN) is 10 minutes from downtown, right next to MCRD. UC San Diego Blue Line trolley to campus.

Where should I stay for UC San Diego Commencement?

For most visitors the best base is Gaslamp and Little Italy: Walk to the Convention Center.

What else can we do around UC San Diego Commencement?

Good short outings in San Diego include USS Midway Museum, La Jolla kayak and snorkel, Harbor cruise. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near UC San Diego Commencement?

Family-friendly picks: San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum, La Jolla kayak and snorkel. SeaWorld San Diego.

How far is RIMAC Field, La Jolla from San Diego centre?

About 20 km in a straight line. UC San Diego Blue Line trolley to campus.

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