Transportation

A lot of people say that everything is “20 minutes away” in San Diego. While that’s not exactly true, most everything is conveniently located in San Diego. The table below will give you an idea of travel times that can be expected under normal circumstances.

Drive Times from USAELC

Anza Borrego Desert State Park – 2 hours
Coronado – 7 minutes
Escondido – 30 minutes
Hotel Circle – 10 minutes
Julian – 90 minutes
La Jolla – 20 minutes
Mission Bay – 15 minutes
Oceanside – 45 minutes
San Diego International Airport (Lindbergh Field) – 10 minutes
Ensenada,Mexico – 2 hours
Rosarito, Mexico – 1 hour
Tijuana, Mexico – 30 minutes
Disneyland – 90 minutes
Los Angeles – 2 hours

How to Get a Driver’s License

Tourists (persons on B-1/B-2 visitor status) may drive California for up to one year with a valid drivers license from their home country. F-1 students must obtain a California drivers license if you will be driving in the United States. The California driver’s license costs $25. After you pass the written test, you must make another appointment for the driving test. A California ID card is also available through the DMV.
go to: San Diego DMV Locations

Making the appointment

Make an appointment by calling your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Office or visiting their website.
Bring your Social Security Card, passport, I-20 and I-94 (white card in your passport) to your appointment
If you do not have a Social Security Card, you can still get a driver’s license. At your appointment, you must tell the DMV representative that you do not have a Social Security Card and that you are not eligible to have one. You are no longer required to visit the Social Security Office prior to your DMV appointment

Public transportation system
USAELC is located a few blocks from one of the biggest bus and trolley stops in San Diego. When you get on the bus, you must have the exact fare. It costs $1.75 – $2.25 for most local routes, one-way. If you must take two busses to get to where you are going, ask the driver for a TRANSFER. Give the TRANSFER slip to the driver of the second bus or keep the transfer for the Trolley. You can use the transfer to go only in one direction, and not for a return. A monthly pass for the bus or Trolley is $72.00 and you can purchase a Monthly Pass in person at The Transit Store in Old Town, during the first week of the month, or anytime at many locations throughout San Diego, including Longs Drug Stores, Ralphs and Vons grocery stores.

San Diego Transit Office telephone: 619-233-3004 www.sdcommute.com
Old Town Transit Center telephone: 619-299-2426

Old Town is serviced by routes 5, 6, 8, 9, 28A/28B/28C, 30, 35, 44, 105, 908, the Trolley, and the COASTER.
San Diego Transit: (619) 238-0100, San Diego Trolley: (619) 595-4949
To plan a trip please visit //www.511sd.com/
Walking to USAELC from the Old Town Transit Center (Bus and Trolley):From the transit center, walk down Congress Street toward Old Town. (Exit station and make a right). Continue for 2 blocks. Turn Right on Harney Street. Walk down Harney for 1 block until you reach the corner of Harney and Jefferson. USAELC is the large gated building on your right on the corner of Harney and Jefferson.

Car Rental Agencies
• Avis Car Rental : 3180 N. Harbor Drive Tel: 1-800-852-4617 www.Avis.com
• Budget Rental : 3125 Pacific Highway Tel: 1-800-527-0700 www.budget.com
• Dirt Cheap Car Rental : 4420 Pacific Highway Tel: 1-800-852-4617 www.dirtcheapcarrental.com
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car : 2595 Kettner Boulevard Tel: 619-232-5400 www.rentfromexpress.com
• Flexcar : (For hourly rentals– for example, if you need a truck for only a few hours to move furniture or a car for a few hours.) www.flexcar.com

Taxis

Taxi service is available in this area, please call

Orange Cab Telephone: 619-291-3333
Yellow Cab Telephone: 619-234-6161

All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.