UCSF Virtual Tour: Parnassus

A grassy landscape with trees along the edges and a path leading through it

Mount Sutro

Named for its former owner and San Francisco Mayor Adolph Sutro, Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve sits south of UCSF’s Parnassus campus and is accessible via trails or shuttle. The 61-acre space includes more than five miles of public, multi-use trails, the Aldea San Miguel Campus Housing and Conference Center and the UCSF Chancellor’s Residence. UCSF owns and maintains this urban oasis to protect and nurture the native species that grow there.

Renee Navarro introduces Corey Jackson at a reception at the Aldea Center

A presenter explains projected information to an audience with laptops

Attendees take a break on the outside deck, sitting at tables and chairs

Hotspot: Aldea Center

Surrounded by forest, Aldea Center is a unique and tranquil conference center located in the Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve. A short drive from the UCSF Parnassus campus, it is reachable via shuttle and includes several guest parking spaces. With amenities that include a 1500-square-foot great room, state-of-the-art audio-visual systems, outdoor seating and a catering kitchen, the Aldea Center is perfect for a variety of events.

Tall trees lie close to the buildings of the Aldea San Miguel Housing buildings

A mother and daughter on a couch in the living room of a spacious apartment

The San Miguel Aldea Housing buildings are covered with wooden shingles and surrounded by forest

Hotspot: Aldea San Miguel Housing

A UCSF housing community, Aldea San Miguel consists of quaint, shingled buildings amidst the forest on Mount Sutro. The natural setting makes it well-suited for students and staff looking for a peaceful departure from city life. One or two-bedroom units are a short shuttle-ride from the Parnassus campus, while easy access to hiking trails makes Aldea San Miguel Housing a fun and convenient place to call home.

Alexandra Lepeschkin-Noel bends down to look at a native plant during a wildflower walk

Sutro Stewards volunteer Edith Bourbin clears vegetation from UCSF's Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve

A beautiful purple flower blooms in the middle of the forest

Hotspot: Mount Sutro Trails

Mount Sutro contains over five miles of public trails, accessible via several points within San Francisco and a trailhead located on the UCSF Parnassus campus. These trails, shared by hikers, joggers and cyclists, provide a serene pathway to clear your head and burn some energy. The tall eucalyptus and redwood trees, often enveloped in fog, offer an enchanting getaway from campus buildings and busy city streets.

A residential street lined with iconic San Francisco two-level homes with bay windows and garages near the Parnassus Campus

Avenues Housing

Students and staff looking for a true San Francisco experience will find the UCSF housing on 3rd and 5th avenues ideal. These charming homes are located near the Parnassus campus in the Inner Sunset neighborhood, where tenants can visit nearby attractions, such as Golden Gate Park and the Haight and Ashbury area.

A gray house with a staircase up to the front door and a bay window

The upper level of a brown building with two windows

A kitchen in one of the faculty homes with inset lighting overhead

Hotspot: Faculty Home

Faculty housing is located on 5th Avenue, immediately next to the UCSF Parnassus campus. Two and three-bedroom units are available, each of them unique, with units featuring great lighting and attractive interior finishing. Because each unit varies in amenities, the UCSF Housing Office will be your best resource for discussing the full range of options and availability.

Two students in a living room with built-in shelves

A walkup entrance to one of the student housing buildings with columns on either side

A student unit with three windows, a desk, a bed and a rug

Hotspot: Student/Learner Unit

Student apartments are located steps away from campus on 3rd Avenue and in the apartment building at the corner of Irving Street and 3rd Avenue. These housing units are perfect for individuals looking for a single or shared room in a home with other UCSF learners. While each home varies, they are all furnished and have spacious common areas. Units feature close proximity to city attractions, shuttle stops and public transportation.

A dramatic view from the rooftop of the building with a bridge to other buildings and the San Francisco landscape in the distance

Ray and Dagmar Dolby Regeneration Medicine Building

The Ray and Dagmar Dolby Regeneration Medicine Building, a stunning structure sitting on Mount Sutro's slopes, houses the headquarters of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, one of the largest and most comprehensive U.S. programs of its kind. Broad Center scientists advance understanding and treatment for heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy and many other conditions.

Tien Peng, MD, assistant professor in Medicine and recent recipient of the NIH New Innovator Award, standing before a large window

Christine Lin processing samples from pregnant women who have SARS-CoV-2

Hotspot: Health Sciences East

Completed in 1966, the Health Sciences East tower sits between the Medical Sciences Building and the Regeneration Medicine Building. It is connected via corridors to the west tower and contains classrooms, laboratories and administrative offices. Renovated in 2015, the tower now features numerous state-of-the-art labs and support spaces.

Rebecca Jaszczak checking test tubes in the Laird Lab

A person raising samples of sperm and embryos frozen in liquid nitrogen with blue gloves covered in ice crystals

Galina Schmunk pointing at a computer monitor displaying microscopy

Hotspot: Lab

With over 18,000 square feet of open-plan laboratory space, the research areas of the Regeneration Medicine Building are home to 25 of the top stem cell laboratories in the U.S. Research areas are vertically staggered, as the building follows the slope of the road. Between each lab are offices and lounge areas, promoting the interaction and exchange of ideas between scientists.

Hanmin Le standing by the railing of a glass-paneled floor of the Health Sciences West

Anthony Venida in a sunlit corner of the Perera Lab

Shannon Spring teaching how to do a tracheostomy on a simulation manikin

Hotspot: Health Sciences West

Health Sciences West, a 16-story tower that was built in conjunction with Health Sciences East in 1966, sits on the south side of Saunders Court. It is connected to the Medical Sciences Building, Health Sciences East and the Regeneration Medicine Building. In addition to four lecture halls, the building contains laboratories for teaching and research as well as administrative space.

A fenced playing area with toys and climbing equipment with colorful classrooms close by

Kirkham Child Development Center

Committed to providing the highest quality childcare, the Kirkham Child Development Center serves children from ages 24 months to five years. Two-, three- or five- day-a-week programs are available to both the UCSF community and residents of surrounding neighborhoods. Bright Horizons operates the Center, whose educators teach a curriculum designed to build confidence and inspire a love of learning.

A jungle gym beyond a small bridge designed for younger children

A small table and chairs within a cubby in a wall

Hotspot: Play Area

Set against the bright green and yellow siding of the Kirkham Child Development Center, the two-tiered playground offers a world of exploration. Featuring a garden, a mini climbing wall and a sandpit, the play area allows children to interact with nature and with each other. Daily outdoor activity is a signature Bright Horizons practice and ensures that children regularly engage in movement and play.

A small bookshelf with pillows and reading areas around it

Shelves with baskets holding various things with easily readable labels

Plants on shelves brighten the classroom

Hotspot: Classroom

The spacious, two-story Kirkham Child Development Center includes sunny vibrant classrooms that provide comfortable, safe settings where children can interact with teachers and peers and feel respected and valued. Children can enjoy visual touches such as orange countertops and other pops of color while skilled educators guide them through learning and exploration activities.

UCSF Dental Center

The UCSF Dental Center houses an array of dental clinics that provide services across the entire oral health spectrum, ranging from general dentistry to advanced specialty care. The clinics are staffed by faculty, residents and students from UCSF’s School of Dentistry, who provide best-in-class care to a diverse patient base.

A dentist examines a little girl wearing a paper bib

Elena Rabago, a third-year student in the School of Dentistry, who's prevailed as a person with a hearing impairment and a first-generation college graduate, sees patients in her station at the student dental clinic

School of Dentistry student, Melanie Maddox, observes Narihide Kanayama, DMD at the UCSF Dental Center

Hotspot: Clinical Area

The clinical area covers several dental specialties, such as orofacial pain, dental sleep medicine and periodontics. Students spend time assisting in the clinics as early as their first year and continue in this work through their graduation, ensuring they experience a wide range of procedures. Patients of the clinic can easily specify a preferred provider type and specialty to identify a clinic that will suit their individual needs.

UCSF School of Dentistry 707 Parnassus Ave. D1 (first year) Students in Morphology Lab. Eric Lee

Dheepthi Rajasekar, left, and Monika Naik, 3rd-year students in the UCSF International Dentist Pathway (IDP) program that prepares foreign dentists for U.S. practice, pour plastic into a mold to make a dental impression, in the UCSF School of Dentistry Sim Lab

Robert Ho, DDS, center, Health Sciences clinical professor in the department of Preventive & Restorative Dental Sciences, teaches third-year students in the International Dental Program Kuljit Singh, BDS, left, and Yasaman Sardari, DDS, MSc, far right, an oral & maxillofacial pathologist, in the Dental School Simulation Lab, on the Parnassus campus.

Hotspot: Fleming Pre-Clinical Simulation Lab

Located near the dental clinics, the Fleming Lab is outfitted with 93 dental simulation workstations that allow students to practice real-world dental procedures with the use of mannequins and advanced technology. Guided by faculty, students obtain foundational skills in all aspects of general dentistry as well as specialized fields of practice, such as endodontics and prosthodontics. There is also a wet lab for dental model fabrications and grinding procedures.

A courtyard between several major Parnassus buildings showing steps leading up

School of Nursing

Established in 1907 after The Great Earthquake destroyed most of San Francisco’s hospitals, the UCSF School of Nursing has routinely been recognized as one of the top nursing schools. Located on the UCSF Parnassus campus behind the Clinical Sciences building, the School brings together a community of students, staff, distinguished faculty and researchers who are committed to upholding UCSF’s excellence in nursing.

Rows of theatre-style seats sit before a podium and screen

Hotspot: Lecture hall

On the ground floor, two large lecture halls are regular settings for various classes, information sessions, conferences and special events. These lecture rooms feature plentiful and comfortable seating, LCD projectors, video conferencing and presentation technology.

A student practices using gynecological equipment to insert an IUD

An instructor points out key details while a student works with gynecological equipment

Hotspot: Skills lab on the seventh floor

The Skills Lab on the seventh floor provides students in the Master of Science program with firsthand experience in a simulated clinical setting. Working with lifelike mannequins, students acquire real-life skills during their education. Here, faculty members coach students through diagnostic and treatment scenarios, preparing them to deliver quality care.

A speaker holds a microphone while people listen at the surrounding tables

A group of nursing students sit in a circle on both chairs and the floor

Rupa Marya participates in a phone bank at a table on the mezzanine

Hotspot: Mezzanine

A popular gathering location, the Mezzanine on the third floor overlooks the Ladle & Leaf Café. At times bustling with students as well as faculty, staff and clinicians, the Mezzanine is a contemporary and inviting space that is perfect for connecting with colleagues, eating lunch or studying during quiet moments throughout the day.

Various buildings including the Clinical Sciences Building and the Kalmanovitz Library sit on either side of Parnassus Avenue

Parnassus Avenue West

Approaching the western edge of the UCSF Parnassus campus, you’re in close proximity to the Kalmanovitz Library, the Lucia Child Care Study Center, the Dental Clinics and the Faculty-Alumni House. Further west is the Inner Sunset neighborhood, which includes shops and restaurants. Both SF Muni and UCSF shuttle stops are available nearby for transportation to other San Francisco neighborhoods or UCSF campuses.

A blue and white stained glass window in the stairway that has the UCSF seal

Circular tables covered with white tablecloths and set with silverware

The courtyard outside of the Faculty Alumni House is lined with bricks and the building itself is white with brown accents

Hotspot: Faculty-Alumni House

On the corner of Parnassus and 5th Avenue, the Faculty-Alumni House serves as the on-campus headquarters for the Alumni Association of UCSF, the network for all UCSF alumni focused on building community, supporting students, promoting diversity, and giving back locally and globally. Built in 1926 as a fraternity for dental students but now equipped with audio-visual technology, it is also an ideal venue for a variety of occasions as its relaxing, cozy atmosphere has drawn many to celebrate milestones and accomplishments of the UCSF family.

A tricycle sits outside in the play area

A wooden table and chairs built for children in one of the classrooms

Toys, floors mats and climbing equipment in a green-walled classroom

Hotspot: Lucia Child Care Study Center

The Lucia Child Care Study Center was the first childcare center on the UCSF campus. Today it is a dedicated center for children from ages 3 to 24 months and offers two-, three- or five-day-a-week programs. Featuring the Bright Horizons “World at Their Fingertips” curriculum, the center provides infants and toddlers with a supportive environment tailored to their needs.

Numerous seating areas, display cases and bookshelves sit around the first floor of the library

Kalmanovitz Library

The main branch of UCSF’s library system, Kalmanovitz Library contains an extensive collection of the world’s health sciences knowledge. A hub for research and study, here you can also receive tech assistance or visit the café. Additionally, permanent art exhibits and The Makers Lab allow for a creative release from schoolwork.

A woman in the seating area in front of the caffe smiles while working on her laptop

A barista laughs with a customer as he works on her pourover

Two friends chat in the library outside of Caffe Central

Hotspot: Caffe Central

Featuring pastries, organic coffee and healthy lunch options, Caffe Central is a popular Bay Area restaurant. Located on the main floor of the Kalmanovitz Library, Caffe Central creates a perfect setting for a midday snack, quiet study or a casual meetup with friends.

Rows of glass eyeballs historically used for medical instruction

The cap of an old pill bottle that reads 5 grain blue pills in handwritten ink

Archivist Polina Ilieva sits among rows of shelves containing historical books and documents

Hotspot: UCSF Archive

The UCSF Archive is dedicated to preserving the memory of UCSF. In addition to UCSF memorabilia, the archives contain materials on a variety of topics, such as anesthesia and homeopathy. The archives room is located on the fifth floor of the Kalmanovitz Library and is open to both UCSF and the general public. In addition to being a research center, it also offers engaging lectures and exhibits.

Two students holding clipboards prepare for a simulation exercise

Frank Molina laughs with a fellow student as he checks a manikin with his hands

Three students tackle a simulated medical emergency in the Kanbar Center

Hotspot: Kanbar Center

Located on the second floor of the Kalmanovitz Library, the Kanbar Center for Simulation and Clinical Skills brings the UCSF health professions together in a simulated environment. Using both actors and mannequins, students work in teams to address various conditions and emergency scenarios. This work prepares students for clinical care by providing near-real-life training in a safe, supportive learning environment.

A child uses a button maker in the Maker's Lab during a science fair

A lab assistant uses a VR headset and VR Space in the Makers Lab to virtually navigate human blood vessels

A first year medical student uses a 3D printer to create an anatomical model

Hotspot: Maker's Lab

Members of the UCSF community can bring their creative ideas to life here by reserving equipment such as 3D printers and scanners, sewing machines, textile craft supplies and more. Visitors can also experience virtual reality with Oculus devices and attend events that foster interdisciplinary collaboration and discovery.

The central staircase sits down a hallway outside of Cole Hall Auditorium

Medical Sciences Building

Completed in 1958, the Medical Sciences Building houses teaching laboratories, administrative offices and research areas. Its close proximity to the hospital provides direct access between research and clinical facilities. Upon entering the building, you’ll see Jon Rubin’s Columns, an art exhibit spanning the three pillars at the main entrance. Rubin permanently covered the pillars with over 30,000 portraits of individuals from UCSF’s extensive history.

Rows of people sit in tiered seating while Chancellor Hawgood delivers the State of the University Address with the words Here Now projected on the screen behind him

During the School of Pharmacy white coat ceremony a row of students laughs while a speaker presents

The California Surgeon General presents a talk on the adverse effects of childhood trauma in Cole Hall

Hotspot: Cole Hall Auditorium

Located on the first floor of the Medical Sciences Building, Cole Hall Auditorium is a large venue that is well suited for seminars and concerts. Used for notable UCSF events, such as the Chancellor’s State of the University Address, it is equipped with microphones, a podium, theater-style lighting and ample seating. You can check the UCSF Events Calendar for upcoming events.

A pharmacy student watches a presentation during class

School of Pharmacy students laugh as they receive their white coats during a special ceremony

Two pharmacists wearing masks hold up a bottle of remdesivir during the COVID-19 pandemic

Hotspot: School of Pharmacy

The UCSF School of Pharmacy was the first college of pharmacy in the western United States. Today, science is at the foundation of the School’s pioneering research, education, and patient care. For over four decades, its researchers have received more funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) than any other pharmacy school in the country. The PharmD degree program, with its unique three-year, year-round curriculum, prepares graduates to be leaders in health care.

Medical students pick up pieces of paper during Match Day

First year students pose for a photo with a bear mascot, feather boas and face masks

During the School of Medicine graduation a recent graduate gets a huge from the administrative program director of PRIME

Hotspot: School of Medicine

The UCSF School of Medicine sits at the heart of the Parnassus campus. Through its mission of education, research, patient care and public service, the School seeks to empower students in improving health care delivery. The School, whose celebrated faculty includes five Nobel laureates, has consistently been ranked among the top graduate schools in the U.S.

Two School of Dentistry students use VR to learn more about anatomy

Two graduates hold up a flag of butterfly wings that reads Si Se Puede

At a community health fair two dentists examine a community member for free

Hotspot: School of Dentistry

Founded in 1881, the UCSF School of Dentistry is a world-renowned institution of oral and craniofacial health, advancing the field through excellence in education, service, research and patient care. It offers top-ranked graduate and post-graduate programming and boasts a multi-disciplinary research enterprise that covers basic, translational, clinical and implementation sciences. Regularly ranked the top dental school in the country in NIH research funding, the UCSF School of Dentistry continues to progress not only oral health but also overall health in local communities and beyond.

Double doors lead out to Parnassus Avenue while a staircase leads down to a fitness center and the conference center sits along one wall

Millberry Union

Named for Guy S. Millberry, dean of the School of Dentistry from 1914-1939, Millberry Union has been a central hub for social life at UCSF Parnassus for over 50 years. Today it includes not only a food court but also retail, the UCSF Campus Store, Walgreens Pharmacy, the Student Success Center and a fitness center.

Rows of wooden tables and chairs wait for patrons in the glass-domed food court at Parnassus Heights

Parnassus Avenue through a wall of windows along the food court

A large orange juice and a container of nachos piled with fresh guacamole and pico de gallo on a tray

Hotspot: Food Court

A central point for grabbing lunch or a snack between classes, Millberry Union’s food court is a popular destination on campus. The glass-encased court offers a wide selection of dining options, including Café Bellini, Panda Express and Carmelina's Cafe. Jamba Juice is located adjacent to the court in the west tower, and Subway is accessible on the lower level of the building.

A podium waits for a speaker beyond rows of chairs beside a sign reading UCSF: The Campaign

Rows of chairs sit waiting for guests in a well-lit room with a white and elegantly decorated table in the foreground

Blue drapes beyond a table set for dinner with a bottle of wine and flowers

Hotspot: Conference Center

Conveniently located near ample public parking, the Millberry Union Conference Center is a flexible venue that can accommodate events from staff meetings to workshops and receptions. The conference center staff is available to ensure each event runs smoothly. Guests will appreciate the stunning view, which includes the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

First year pharmacy students laugh with therapy dog Ollie who bends his head up for a kiss

Students volunteer to distribute food to fellow students at a food pantry at the Student Success Center

Two workers at the Student Success Center laugh with a patron at the welcome desk

Hotspot: Student Success Center

The Student Success Center centralizes resources for UCSF students for basic needs such as meals, lodging, finances and health as well as services helping them plug into community and interest groups, plan their careers, build their skills, access disability support and more. The Center can refer students to campus partners in these areas as well, and students can use success.ucsf.edu as a starting point to explore UCSF student services further.

A series of exercise equipment such as bikes and stair climbers sit before a wall of windows looking out at a panoramic view

Recreation & Fitness Center

A state-of-the-art recreation facility, the Millberry Fitness Center is an ideal workout destination for the UCSF Parnassus population. An inviting space with panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands, it includes fitness classes, cardio machines, weights and saunas. Located conveniently in Millberry Union, students, faculty and staff can fit in a workout when their schedule allows.

During a spin class participants grin while they work up a sweat

Dancers move their arms up while they step to the right during a Zumba Class

Hotspot: Fitness Class

At Millberry Fitness Center, you can choose from a range of classes and fitness levels to suit your individual needs. Offering spinning, Zumba, BodyPump, yoga and more, the Center aims to provide fun and rewarding class experiences. Dedicated instructors will guide you in improving your skills or simply provide a motivating environment.

UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center at Parnassus Heights

Consistently ranked as a top 10 U.S. hospital in US News and World Report, the 15-story UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center at Parnassus Heights is home to both inpatient and outpatient services. A new environmentally sustainable, state-of-the-art hospital will open in 2030 that will accommodate advanced clinical and surgical technologies.

Hotspot: Moffitt Cafe

Located on the 2nd Floor of the Moffitt Hospital, Moffitt Café is a convenient destination for a midday snack or lunch for students, staff and visitors of the hospital. The cafe offers an extensive variety of menu items, including soup, salad, pizza and burritos, in addition to daily specials.

Hotspot: Operating Room

UCSF has raised modern standards of medical care and their operating rooms are no exception. The UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center at Parnassus Heights has 26 operating rooms where health professionals provide exceptional patient care using cutting-edge equipment. Upholding UCSF’s esteemed reputation in surgery, the Helen Diller Medical Center at Parnassus Heights remains the hub of expertise for complicated surgical conditions.

Hotspot: Emergency Department

At the UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center Emergency Department, patients can expect expert care from board-certified emergency medicine specialists and nurses trained in emergency care. Using advanced diagnostic tools, the department provides care 24 hours a day and serves more than 40,000 patients a year. To provide both comfortable and efficient care, the department features a waiting room with televisions, 24-hour security, rapid registration and fast-track treatment for minor concerns.

Hotspot: Ambulatory Care Center

The Ambulatory Care Center is one of the first UCSF buildings you’ll encounter when entering campus from the east side of Parnassus Avenue. It is home to the Department of Ophthalmology, Radiology and an Acute Care Clinic. Visitors can stroll to the north-facing side of the building for an incredible panoramic view of San Francisco spanning from the Pacific Ocean to downtown.