College Area, San Diego facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
College Area, San Diego
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| College Area | |
Campanile Drive
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 College Area, San Diego
Location in Southern San Diego
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| Country |  United States of America |
| State |  California |
| County |  San Diego |
| City |  San Diego |
The College Area is a lively community in San Diego, California. It's named after San Diego State University (SDSU), which is a big part of the area. Many homes here were built in the 1930s and after World War II.
The College Area is next to Kensington and Talmadge on the west. To the east, it borders the city of La Mesa. It includes smaller neighborhoods like Catoctin Area and Dennstedt Point. There's also an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood near Congregation Beth Jacob Synagogue.
El Cajon Boulevard is a busy street with many shops. You can also find stores at South Campus Plaza. This is a university building with housing and businesses. The area also has East Campus Medical Center at UC San Diego Health, a large hospital. The College-Rolando branch of the San Diego Public Library is here too.
Contents
History of the College Area
On August 18, 1948, a special outdoor movie theater opened. It was called the "Campus Drive-In." This theater could hold 900 cars! It was built where College Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard meet. The first movies shown were Give My Regards to Broadway and The Kansan. The drive-in closed in 1983. Its last movies were The Dark Crystal and Dragonslayer.
Today, you can still see parts of the old drive-in. Three bright neon drum majorettes from the Drive-In are saved. They are at the Vons shopping center in the same spot. One very large neon majorette is also at the College Grove Shopping Center. This center is a bit further south on College Avenue.
Geography of the College Area
The College Area sits on a flat area called Montezuma Mesa. From here, you can look down over Interstate 8. The community's edges are defined by Montezuma Road and Collwood Boulevard to the southwest. Interstate 8 is to the north, and 73rd Street is to the east. El Cajon Boulevard forms the southern border.
In the middle of the SDSU campus, there is a large canyon. It is known as Aztec Bowl. This canyon slopes down towards Alvarado Creek in Mission Valley. Canyon Crest Drive is a road that winds through this canyon. It goes from 55th Street down to College Avenue.
Getting Around the College Area
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) helps people travel in the College Area. The San Diego Trolley has two stops here: SDSU Transit Center and UC San Diego Health East station. The SDSU Transit Center is a major hub. It has both a trolley station and a bus plaza.
You can take the trolley from the underground station at SDSU. Then, you can go up to the bus plaza using an elevator or stairs. From October 12, 2014, MTS Rapid Bus Route 215 starts here. This bus goes between San Diego State University and downtown San Diego. It uses El Cajon Boulevard and Park Boulevard. This route is a quick way for people to visit shops and restaurants. It connects downtown, North Park, and Hillcrest to the College Area.
Traffic and Roads
You can reach the College Area from major highways. These include Interstate 8 and State Route 94. Local roads that lead into the College Area are 70th Street, College Avenue, 54th Street, and Montezuma Road.
In July 2005, a new way to get around was added. The MTS San Diego Trolley opened an underground station at SDSU. Traffic can be busy during the day. However, local people and city leaders are working together. They want to create more paths for walking and biking. They are also changing the streets to help with traffic. This helps as more people move into the neighborhoods.
Schools in the College Area
The College Area is home to several schools. It has one traditional elementary school. There is also one private school for grades K-8. Two other schools offer alternative learning for K-8. Of course, San Diego State University is also here.
Elementary Schools
- Hardy (San Diego Unified School District)
K through 8 Schools
- Blessed Sacrament Parish School
K through 12 Schools
- San Diego Unified School District
- Language Academy
- Tubman Village Charter
Colleges and Universities
- San Diego State University
- Platt College
Images for kids
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Campanile Drive
See also
In Spanish: College Area (San Diego) para niños
