Local Lodging & Transportation

Welcome to San Marcos! Whether you are coming in from out of town and need a place to stay or you just need directions to campus, check out the following information. We are excited to meet you at Orientation!

Need a Place to Stay?

The following directory includes information on local lodging in and around the San Marcos area. Please note that we do not endorse any listings in the directory and it is merely available to provide information.

Hotel Motel Directory

Transportation and Directions to Campus

Like many Southern Californians, Cal State San Marcos students love their cars! In fact most students who attend Cal State San Marcos drive to campus. As a special incentive for carpoolers, our Cal State Parking Services sells carpool parking permits giving carpoolers access to spaces in a great location near the Commons building.

Also, the North Country Transit District (NCTD) provides bus service to campus hourly on weekdays and Saturday. The campus also provides bike stands and storage lockers. To handle your different transportation needs we have listed some important websites. These sites list services and programs, provide maps and important contact information you will need to get around San Diego North.

So, let's see if we can take care of your transportation needs......

Directions to Campus

Click here for information on how to get to CSUSM:Driving Directions

Flying in from out of town?
http://www.portofsandiego.org/ provides extensive information about San Diego's International Airport, Lindburgh Field. This site gives you an airport tour, transportation information to and from the airport, parking information, flight information, facility and general services information. This site also provides San Diego Maritime information.

Special note: if you fly into San Diego without ground transportation arrangements airport shuttles will take you to your destination in and around the county for the most reasonable rates. No reservation is necessary. Current shuttle rates from the San Diego International Airport to San Marcos are between $45-$55 dollars. Shuttle service is available on the Transportation Plazas across from Terminals 1 and 2 via the skybridge, and curbside at the commuter terminal. There is also taxi service at these locations and hotel shuttles.

Local Shuttle Companies

  • Airport Shuttle -619-234-4403
  • Access Shuttle -619-282-1515
  • California Sunshine Shuttle -619-505-0599
  • Cloud 9 Shuttle -619-505-4950 or 1 800-9-SHUTTLE
  • Coronado Livery -619-435-6310
  • Five Star Shuttle -619-294-3300
  • Prime Ride Shuttle -619-297-7463
  • Xpress Shuttle -619-295-1900
  • Seaside Shuttle - 619-281-6451
  • Seatop Shuttle - 619-222-2744
  • The Flyer** -1 800-COMMUTE

**Public Transit is available via The Flyer, a metropolitan transit System (MTS) bus that travels between the airport and downtown San Diego stopping at terminals 1 and 2.

If you prefer a smaller regional airport you might want to fly into McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad. (All the flights go through Los Angeles International Airport). American West, 1 (800)-235-9292, and United Express, 1 (800) 241-6522, provide service at Carlsbad. There is no shuttle service available at this time from the Carlsbad airport, however taxi service is available. For more information about the McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad go to www.sdcdpw.org website and click on AIRPORTS.