Housing & Dining
Comfortable, convenient housing and meal plan options foster community, collaboration, and creativity in the heart of the city.
Campus Living
Connect, create, and thrive in CCA housing
A community of creative collaborators
The CCA student housing community empowers creativity. Your next door neighbor could be your next big collaborator. That’s why our social, educational, and professional residential programming is committed to helping you settle in and connect with your peers. Whether you’re a first-year, transfer, graduate, international, or continuing student, living in CCA residence halls can enhance every aspect of your college experience.
- Participate in workshops and activities geared toward wellness and holistic development
- Find and connect with a diverse group of friends
- Meet and network with future collaborators and colleagues
- Live at the center of the Bay Area’s art and design communities
- Access amenities with peace of mind, thanks to front desk staff, 24-hour guest check-in, and regular safety walk-throughs
Undergraduate student housing
All undergraduate students are required to live on campus their first two years and can apply to live on campus for their entire time at CCA. With on-site social events, mental health support, and residential programming—as well as a meal plan centered in Makers Cafe, our dining facility—CCA’s affordable living options make it easier to get to know your peers, your neighbors, and yourself.
Graduate student housing
Our graduate student housing options in Blattner Hall provide a unique living experience tailored to your academic and professional journey. With this flexible apartment-style housing, you’ll find both independence and community in a space that supports your growth—all while living in the heart of the city at a more affordable price. Graduate student housing at CCA averages 36% lower monthly rent compared to average 9-month leases in surrounding neighborhoods.
Blattner Hall is located just a five-minute walk from campus in the vibrant Design District, offering unmatched convenience and accessibility. A range of meal plan options makes dining convenient and adaptable to your needs, whether you want every meal on campus or just enough for coffee and a bite between classes. The community atmosphere is enriched by networking events, professional seminars, and social gatherings. These opportunities allow you to connect with other graduate students and future colleagues, creating a collaborative and supportive environment to enhance your experience at CCA.
Life in the Bay Area
Your location today makes a big difference in where you land tomorrow, and inspiration is always just around the corner in our San Francisco residence halls.
CCA housing is located in neighborhoods that are at the helm of cultural transformation. Live near contemporary galleries, world-renowned museums, cool collectives, and organizations driving design and technological innovation. Student housing—either on or near campus—is strategically set up to help you succeed as you navigate an urban landscape unlike anywhere else in the world.
Home is where the art is
Calling a CCA residence hall home is the surest way to feel connected to campus, your community, and the entire city. A range of amenities are designed to enhance your living-learning experience. With your classes and studios just minutes away and access to transportation easy to find, the city is your classroom.
Take advantage of BART public transportation, walkable and bikeable routes, and secure bike storage. Use a CCA Pass for unlimited rides on SFMTA buses, streetcars, and Muni Metro. Or try the free Mission Bay Shuttle, which provides direct service to and from campus during peak hours, making your commute around the city convenient Monday through Friday.
Residence Halls
New spaces for learning and living
Join a community of thinkers and creators
We’ve seen how the support system of your campus community can help fuel creativity. That’s why, over the past few years, we’ve built custom residences to house more than 700 students in the heart of San Francisco’s dynamic DoReMi art and design district as part of our ambitious 82,000-square-foot campus expansion. This multi-year plan to expand our San Francisco campus benefits students in every discipline and at all academic levels.
Founders Hall
Our newest residence hall in the center of CCA’s campus, Founders Hall is home to most of CCA’s first- and second-year resident students.
The residence features sculptural glass and red gridwork that frame a ground-level gallery, community gathering space, and a cafe where students can use their meal plan. Above, four floors are connected by an open-air indoor courtyard, common spaces, and corridors with student rooms on either side. The compact and efficient rooms come with storage, beds, and desks, as well as a separate sink, toilet, and shower stall to minimize morning traffic while students get ready for class. The top floor has single rooms for upperclassmen and graduate students, as well as a terrace overlooking San Francisco’s iconic skyline.
Blattner Hall
Just two blocks from campus, Blattner Hall offers apartment-style living specifically designed for graduate students seeking a dynamic and supportive community. A variety of living options are available—from single rooms with scenic views to shared double rooms—all equipped with full kitchens, living spaces, and dedicated study areas outside the bedrooms. Graduate students also have the flexibility to choose their roommates as well as lease term options that align with their program duration.
These modern apartments provide an ideal environment for both focused academic work and creative collaboration while living in San Francisco. Blattner is designed to emphasize environmental sustainability and community connection. Featuring a solar panel-covered roof that generates renewable electricity and hot water, the building has achieved the highest GreenPoint rating of Platinum. The adjoining courtyards and large ground-floor spaces are perfect for hosting networking events, professional seminars, and social gatherings, giving students ample opportunities to engage with peers and future colleagues. Its prime location in the heart of the Design District offers easy access to high-profile art venues, nearby grocery stores, cafes, and parks, making it an inspiring and convenient place to live while pursuing your graduate studies.
Dining
Fuel your day conveniently on campus
Makers Cafe in CCA's Founders Hall.
Flexible dining at Makers Cafe
Makers Cafe, located on the ground floor of our newest residence, Founders Hall, opened in fall 2020. The cafe is designed to accommodate the wide-ranging needs of our diverse campus community and neighbors. Enjoy seasonal menus and daily specials made with local and organic ingredients when possible, made-to-order hot and cold items, and fresh coffee and espresso from a full-service counter. An adjacent convenience store will keep hours for late-night needs.
Committed to sustainability
CCA’s dining venues are managed by Bon Appétit, a James Beard-award winning food service management company that shares CCA’s sustainability values. Bon Appétit, which is based in Palo Alto, is recognized as an industry leader in environmentally and socially responsible practices, cooking made-from-scratch menu items with seasonal ingredients from local food growers. It was the first food service company to advocate for farmworkers’ rights, switch to cage-free eggs, strive to serve only sustainable seafood, and many other initiatives that aimed to tackle food’s role in climate change and pioneer environmentally sound sourcing policies. Together we’re developing a robust operations plan that ensures our food program is as sustainable as possible.
Save with a student meal plan
New CCA meal plans will create significant savings in the total cost of living for all eligible students. Students who live in Founders and Blattner halls will be required to choose from a selection of tax-free, declining-balance meal plans; the meal plan baseline will be based on whether a student lives in a unit with or without a kitchenette. Students who live off campus will have the opportunity to purchase a meal plan.
Social Events
Residence hall programming
Socialize right outside your room
Living in a CCA residence hall community makes it easier to connect with peers, push creative boundaries, and reach your goals. Your neighbors are like-minded makers who understand your priorities and schedule. They’re also great people to grow alongside and get to know at housing hangouts that happen all semester long, such as:
- Movie, karaoke, and game nights
- Community service opportunities
- Professional and counseling meetups
- International and holiday potlucks
- So much more
Help on-hand when you need it
CCA’s Housing, Dining, and Residential Education team members are always close by for mentorship and 24/7 assistance. In each hall, professional staff members, graduate interns, and trained student Resident Advisors provide a welcoming environment and guidance in your personal and artistic pursuits outside the classroom. (They can also tell you where to get discount art supplies.)
FAQ
Information for incoming students
Can I request a roommate?
Yes, you can request roommates on your housing application. We honor all mutual requests if each student has participated in the roommate matching process by the priority deadline. Please refer to our roommate grouping instructions for the latest protocols on shared spaces.
Can I live with a roommate of any gender?
Yes. To foster a welcoming and inclusive campus environment for all students, CCA offers gender-inclusive housing, allowing students to share rooms, suites, or apartments with others regardless of legal sex or gender identity. Gender-inclusive housing is open to all students during the housing application process and is designed for friends, not romantic partners. Learn more about our gender-inclusive housing policy and process.
Where will I do my laundry?
Each residence hall is equipped with a laundry room on every floor for residents to do their laundry.
Is a meal plan available?
Yes, every resident assigned to Founders and Blattner Halls will have a meal plan included as part of their housing agreement
Can Makers Cafe accommodate dietary needs?
Yes, Makers Cafe offers meals that meet a wide variety of dietary preferences, and many meals can be customized to meet specific dietary needs. Plentiful vegetarian and vegan options are available at every meal.
Bon Appétit, the food service company that manages CCA’s dining venues, takes food allergies very seriously. They carefully train staff on food allergy awareness issues and use descriptive menuing to call out foods that use the eight major allergens. They are happy to assist those with food allergies or who are on special diets in identifying the right choices or even preparing foods to meet their needs.
What can I expect in terms of building security?
CCA utilizes state-of-the-art key fobs or a one-card access system to gain entry to our residential buildings. All residence halls have 24/7 security cameras at entrances and lobbies, front-desk staffing, and emergency protocols and procedures in place overseen by CCA Public Safety.
Can I live in my housing community during winter and spring breaks?
Yes, all housing license agreements provide residents the ability to live in their housing community during winter and spring breaks.
Can I bring a car to CCA?
Public parking is extremely difficult to find and can be expensive. The college doesn’t provide designated student parking lots and assumes no responsibility for students’ vehicles. Students may have vehicles at their own discretion and cost.
Will I live close to campus?
Founders Hall is located on campus, directly across from our main building. The first-year studios are located in the building adjacent to Founders, which means new, incoming first-year students will not have to travel far to get to class.
Blattner Hall is also conveniently located a short walk from CCA—just two blocks from campus—making it easy for students to access classes, studios, and campus resources.
How will I get around the city?
Public transportation is nearby each residence hall:
- The bus stop near Blattner Hall, which is only a five-minute walk to campus, is on Connecticut and 17th or 16th and Wisconsin. BART stations nearby are at 16th and Mission Street or Civic Center station on Market.
- The bus stop near Blattner Hall, which is only a five-minute walk to San Francisco campus, is on Connecticut and 17th or 16th and Wisconsin. BART stations nearby are at 16th and Mission Street or Civic Center station on Market.
- CCA Pass gives students unlimited access to SFMTA buses, streetcars, and Muni Metro (excluding cable cars) through the MuniMobile App, activated with a CCA email address. Available for a required fee each semester, the pass is designed to enhance students' experiences by providing affordable, convenient transportation around San Francisco. Learn more about CCA Pass.
- Our San Francisco campus is served by a free, dedicated shuttle route to downtown from Mission Bay TMA. The Mission Bay Shuttle provides free, direct service to CCA from BART during peak commute hours, Monday through Friday, with stops conveniently located near campus. Running approximately every 20 minutes, the shuttle also offers bike racks and live GPS tracking for easy planning, making it a great option for commuting students. Read more about Mission Bay Shuttle.
How to Apply
CCA housing requirements
Spring 2025 campus housing is available
CCA’s live-on residency policy requires incoming first-year and transfer students enrolled full-time in spring 2025 to live in CCA housing. After admitted students submit an enrollment deposit and create their CCA account, they can complete their housing application anytime after October 15.
Need help? Reach out at [email protected].
Live near campus in a community of artists and designers like you