The Sauce: “Do You Know Any Good Spots?”

Welcome back, Tritons! First off, I would like to say farewell to the class of 2020 and wish you all good luck as you embark on new adventures. Secondly, I would like to welcome all new students who have just taken their first steps onto UCSD’s campus this year. We are so happy to see all of you.

One thing I always get asked by new students is, “Do you know any good spots to study or hang out around campus?” My answer to you is YES! There are some pretty cool places both on and off-campus to visit and check out, study, chill with friends, and vibe alone when you just need some space.

To start things off, I think one place everyone should hang out at on campus is the rooftop garden in Revelle. This is the perfect spot to chill and study or hang out with friends because it’s a space for you to sit outside as you look at the gorgeous ocean view in front of you. It’s located on the sixth floor of the South Tower which is the furthest residence building in Revelle.

Another spot worth mentioning is the hammocks on the lawn in front of Price Center (PC). They’re outside on the grass and are the perfect place to relax in between classes or after a long day. There’s just something about hammocks that I just love because you’re able to just rock your worries away as you lay down and give yourself time to think and reflect. It’s the perfect spot for some much-needed self-care whenever you feel stressed. There are other great hammock spots in Revelle and Marshall you can visit whenever Price center’s hammocks are full, which they often are.

Next on the list is Dirty Birds Bar and Grill. It’s a new restaurant that recently opened in PC that serves wings, sandwiches, pizza, and beer. It’s a great place to eat a good meal with friends, and if you would like to know more details about how the food is, you should actually read this amazing review written by our former editor-in-chief Ella Chen! For other new food spots on campus, check out this lovely article written by Sarvani Kolachana.

I also recommend looking around the Stuart Art Collection on campus. One spot in particular that I believe is worth checking out is the Fallen Star in Warren College. Although it’s temporarily closed right now, the Fallen Star was made in 2012 by Do Ho Suh. Do Ho Suh’s work plays around with the idea of what a home is and that’s exactly what this tilted house does. It plays with the typical composition of a house and leaves you feeling kind of disoriented after leaving it since you have to go from a tilted foundation to a solid one. Considering how the Fallen Star is closed, I recommend still checking out the other pieces within the collection as it’s also a great way to find your way around campus.

A great spot to go to off-campus is a place I really like called The Cliffs. To get there, you go from Revelle to North Torrey Pines Road. After crossing the street, you make the first right onto La Jolla Farms Road and you should walk down until you see large gates to the Scripps Coastal Reserve. I think this is the best place to just find peace within yourself and think about life. It’s also a great place to watch the sunset and see as the waves flow on Black’s Beach. If you’re feeling adventurous, you should read this article to learn how to find the secret cave hiding under the cliffs.

Another off-campus spot that’s worth visiting is Gliderport. It’s a spot across the way from Seventh College where you can gaze out onto the horizon and watch as people paraglide. Towards the sunset is the perfect time to go and sit on the grass, as you watch the sun go down and the colors in the sky melt together before the stars come out.

Other honorable mentions are The Che Cafe and our student co-ops. The Che Cafe is at the edge of Revelle College and it’s a great place to hang out and study with friends. It’s a music venue, but they also host study hours every week Monday through Thursdays from 1-6 pm.

Overall, UCSD and the city of La Jolla are definitely worth exploring if you are new to the area. Even if you’ve been at UCSD for a while, it’s good to get out of your room and off campus to find a new environment to immerse yourself in as you perfect your study habits or want to vibe with others. Now that we’re outside, I suggest you take advantage of it because you never know what may happen next as far as this pandemic goes. With that being said, stay safe, study well, and try new things every once in a while.

Peace fam, come back when more sauce is spilled!

Kiyahna Brown is the Assistant Arts and Culture Editor and creator of The Sauce: a new Black column within The Triton. You can follow her on Instagram @Kitkat12600