Prior to attending your Orientation session, we recommend the following steps to fully prepare for your visit.
1) Reserve Overnight Accommodations (if applicable)
San Joaquin Villages, the Summer Inn, and the Club And Guest House offer overnight reservations open to the public. All locations are conveniently located near UCSB!
The Hotels and Lodging section of our website contains a list of hotels in the surrounding areas of Goleta and Santa Barbara. Quick disclaimer: UCSB does not specifically endorse or have any formal affiliation with any of the hotels listed.
Reminder: Freshman students may opt-in to staying with other students in the on-campus Manzanita Village Residence Hall as a part of their program. They must select this as an option when they reserve their Orientation session.
2) Make a Packing List
Parents and family should bring the following items to Orientation:
- A digital device (phone, tablet, or laptop) and/or pen and paper to take notes
- Comfy footwear as you may be doing extensive walking across our beautiful campus
- Hat, jacket and clothing that layers. Santa Barbara is known for cool/misty coastal mornings and hot/sunny afternoons.
- Reusable water bottle. Hydration stations are conveniently located in most UCSB buildings.
3) Inform Orientation about Special Accommodations
We offer program accommodations for participants with mobility issues and gluten allergies. Please contact us via email orientation@sa.ucsb.edu or call 805-893-3443 during business hours (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM M-F) for further information.
4) Prepare for Check-In
Freshman Orientation Check-In:
Orientation check-in runs from 7:30 AM - 9:10 AM at Manzanita Village on the first day of your session (either Monday or Thursday). Every program participant (students, parents, and guests) must check in individually. This is how you will receive your essential program schedule and important materials. We recommend arriving early so you have time to participate in the morning tours before the Welcome Assembly begins. Coffee and tea will be provided at check-in!
Declared Dance, Music and Theater majors must check in by 8:15am in order to attend an advising meeting with your department.
When you arrive on campus, follow the signs for Orientation and park in the Lot 22 Parking Structure. All vehicles on campus must have a valid campus parking permit. You will enter your vehicle's license plate information to purchase an ePermit from a kiosk in the parking lot. Parking permits cost $8 per day. You will have the option to select an Orientation parking permit to be valid for the entire Orientation program for $16.
There is an unloading loop at the end Ocean Road for those with mobility issues or heavy luggage. Lighter luggage can be carried from the parking structure to Manzanita Village.
For directions to UCSB, see https://www.ucsb.edu/about/visit.
Transfer Orientation Check-In:
Orientation check-in runs from 8:00 AM - 9:10 AM at Campbell Hall on the morning of your session date. Every program participant (students, parents, and guests) must check in individually. This is how you will receive your essential program schedule and important materials. We recommend arriving early so you have time to participate in the morning tours before the Welcome Assembly begins. Coffee and tea will be provided at check-in!
When you arrive on campus, follow the signs for Orientation and park in the Mesa Parking Structure/Lot 18. All vehicles on campus must have a valid campus parking permit. You will enter your vehicle's license plate information to purchase an ePermit from a kiosk in the parking lot. Parking permits cost $8 per day.
For directions to UCSB, see https://www.ucsb.edu/about/visit.