Virtual Campus Tour — All Scenes

Welcome to Soka University of America, a liberal arts college and graduate school in Aliso Viejo, California. Our 103-acre campus is styled after an Italian hillside village, with red-tile roofs and stone courtyards bordered on three sides by a wilderness park.

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   Your First Look at Our Campus

   Founders Hall, named after the donors and alumni who shape the university's legacy, faces the main campus entrance and overlooks Peace Lake. Housing admissions, financial aid, and several other administrative offices, Founders Hall was one of the original campus buildings when SUA opened in 2001.

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   Founders Hall Atrium

   The atrium inside Founders Hall is often the first interior space visitors see on a campus tour. The world map on the floor and the flags on display honor SUA's international student body and serve as a reminder of the university's mission to foster global citizens.

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   Founders Hall Art Gallery

   This two-level gallery space inside Founders Hall features work by visiting artists. See if you can find “Blue Jules,” the blown-glass chandelier by artist Dale Chihuly, hanging from the gallery ceiling.

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   Founders Walk

   The main route from lower to central campus, Founders Walk features two converging paths that run on both sides of the green space between Marie and Pierre Curie Hall (left) and the Soka Performing Arts Center (right).

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   Marie and Pierre Curie Hall

   Inside Marie and Pierre Curie Hall, SUA's sciences building, which was completed in 2020. Home to five teaching labs, 14 research labs, and a lecture hall, Curie Hall offers state-of-the-art facilities for Soka students to acquire practical laboratory experience.

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   Soka Performing Arts Center

   The Soka Performing Arts Center is a 1,000-seat concert hall that hosts SUA student showcases, commencement ceremonies, and an entire season of world-class performances that are open to the public. Dedicated in 2011, the facility's acoustics were designed by Yasuhisa Toyota, known for his work on Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

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   Campus Green

   A popular gathering spot for campus events and downtime between classes, the Campus Green is surrounded by Ikeda Library and the Student Center, which includes the Soka Bistro, where SUA students have the majority of their meals. Looking back toward lower campus, the lily ponds sit between Gandhi Hall and Pauling Hall.

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   Recreation Center and facilities

   Home to the Lions, the Recreation Center sits in lower campus near the main entrance, across Peace Lake from Founders Hall. Its grounds include a 50-meter pool, an eight-lane certified track, six lighted tennis courts, and a sports medicine complex, supporting the 11 NAIA teams that compete in cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, track and field, and volleyball.

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   Gymnasium

   The 18,000-square-foot gymnasium anchors Soka's Recreation Center, with a full basketball court and retractable bleacher seating for games and campus events. It's open to student-athletes, faculty, and staff for training, recreation, and fitness alike.

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    Weight Room

    Fully equipped with squat racks, free weights, and strength-training machines, the weight room supports Soka's student-athletes in their training. It's also open to students, faculty, and staff for general fitness use.

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    Residence Halls

    On-campus housing includes a variety of social and recreational spaces within walking distance of academic buildings, dining, and the library. The Luis and Linda Nieves Observatory, located at the south end behind the basketball court, gives students access to hands-on learning in astronomy. Tap the photo icon for more scenes of student life in the halls.

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    Soka Bistro

    Located on the second floor of the Student Center, the Soka Bistro serves made-to-order dishes from exhibition stations spanning American and international cuisine. A custom deli, an extensive salad bar, and soups made from scratch round out the options. Tap the photo icon for more scenes from the Bistro.

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    The Athenaeum

    Beyond the residence halls at the top of upper campus, the Athenaeum and its garden open onto a 180-degree view of Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Often used for conferences and special events, it's one of SUA's most distinctive settings.