Student Life

San Diego is one of the most popular destinations in the United States, with a diverse cross section of society, picturesque settings, miles of beaches, and the assortment of sports and leisure activities that Southern California is famous for. The University of California, San Diego and Scripps Institution of Oceanography both provide a strong academic support structure for graduate students at IGPP with excellent research and support facilities.

Extra-curricular activities

Each year, IGPP students organize a camping trip to the nearby Southern California desert parks such as Anza-Borrego or Joshua Tree. This is an opportunity to enjoy the local wilderness areas, get a fantastic view of the stars, and bond with your fellow students. All IGPP students are warmly encouraged to attend. Other activities include the annual beach barbecue, ski trip (to Mammoth), pizza parties, and the daily tea break (3:30 pm in the Munk Reading Room). Interaction with other SIO students can be found at TGIF (Fridays @ 5 pm, Surfside) or through intramural sports (innertrube water polo, soccer, softball, beach volleyball, and more). IGPP is located within walking distance of world-class snorkeling and surf spots.

Weather

San Diego's predominantly warm, sunny weather is one of its main attractions. Winters are very mild with an average temperature of 58 degrees Fahrenheit (14 degrees Celsius). Summer temperatures range between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (22 and 30 degrees Celsius). Even in the summer months the evenings can turn cool, so visitors should make sure they pack a light jumper or jacket.

Sports & Recreation

With over 70 miles of beaches, a semi-enclosed bay (Mission Bay), and numerous canyon trails and national parks, San Diego enjoys a diverse array of outdoor activities including watersports (surfing, sailing, sea kayaking, kelp forest SCUBA diving, snorkelling, whale watching) and land-based sports (hiking, biking, running, racing). Several world famous surfing beaches and dive sites are close to IGPP, as well as the nearby La Jolla Glider Port for airborne adventurers. The Anza Borrego Desert State Park, the largest State Park in California, provides visitors with outdoor beauty, wildlife, and desert flora. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, with 26,563 acres of alpine meadow, forested mountain peaks and some 110 miles of hiking trails is another popular destination, as is Palomar State Park, with it's spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

Arts & Culture

A thriving arts and culture community is found in San Diego, with over 90 museums, two Tony � Award-winning theatres, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, the San Diego Opera, the Mainly Mozart Festival, the La Jolla Summerfest, diverse live music, innovative dance, and numerous festivals.