San Diego: A living lab of design excellence

San Diego isn’t just the host city for AIA26, it’s part of the experience. Explore the city through architect-led tours and open studios that showcase its innovative design culture, then extend your stay to enjoy its coastal beauty, creative energy, and signature spirit of happiness.

Iconic Hotel del Coronado in San Diego

Go inside San Diego’s most inspiring architecture

San Diego’s architecture blends craft, climate, culture, and community in ways few cities can match. During AIA26, you’ll step inside landmark projects, award-winning spaces, experimental studios, and coastal icons—guided by the architects who brought them to life.

These tours and open studios are offered only during AIA26 and are not available to the general public. It’s your chance to go deeper, ask questions, and uncover the inspirations, materials, technologies, and stories behind San Diego’s most celebrated buildings.

Architect-led tours

Explore Modernist icons, civic and cultural landmarks, historic restorations, cutting-edge sustainability projects, and diverse community-focused designs. You’ll visit everything from waterfront gems and adaptive reuse projects to world-class museums and emerging studios reshaping the region.

Tour destinations include Balboa Park, the Salk Institute, Hotel del Coronado, UC San Diego, and Jacobs Music Center!

Open studios

For one night only, San Diego’s leading architecture firms are opening their doors for exclusive AIA26 access. Explore their workspaces, view current projects, meet firm leaders, and get an intimate look at their creative process.

Many studios are in architecturally significant buildings—complete with stunning skyline views, coastal breezes, and the unmistakable energy of a thriving design community.

San Diego beyond AIA25

San Diego isn’t just a backdrop for AIA26—it’s part of the inspiration. Extend your stay and enjoy a blend of business and leisure in one of America’s most design-rich cities known for its culture of happiness.

  • Savor the flavors with handpicked restaurant recommendations. AIA San Diego’s executive director curated a list of restaurant recommendations with food and design that are as inspiring as the city itself.
  • Find your passion in a city that has it all. Whether you’re into beaches, arts, road trips, nightlife, hiking, or design-driven neighborhoods, San Diego’s top things to do offer something for every pace and curiosity.
  • Explore San Diego’s iconic coastline and neighborhoods. With 70 miles of pristine shoreline and dozens of distinct districts—each with its own architectural character—there’s no shortage of places to explore.