San Diego Architecture: 15 Exquisite Buildings That Capture the City’s Charm

There has always been a wide variety of architectural styles and spaces to explore when looking at San Diego architecture. The beautiful and varied buildings of America’s Beautiful City are among our favorites. You can find anything from stunning Spanish architecture to one-of-a-kind Brutalist buildings.

There is a lot to see in San Diego, so we’ll take you on a tour of the city’s architectural past, present, and future by highlighting our top 15 architectural masterpieces.

The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. ©Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

San Diego Architecture History

San Diego’s longstanding love affair with architecture is plain to see in any of the city’s structures. The original San Diego residents may be long gone, but their legacy lives on in the city’s culture and the creative imprint they left behind, which can be seen in every structure.

Ancient San Diego architecture may be traced back to the city’s first inhabitants, the Spanish missionaries. In the same way that cultural norms and values have evolved, so too have architectural styles. Prominent architects, be it, Queen Victoria or Frank Lloyd Wright, have always taken cues from their forebears in architecture to incorporate their ideas into society.

You only need a quick look around the Gaslamp or Old Town areas to reveal the diverse styles influencing San Diego architecture. These styles frequently overlap to provide a look that is as distinct and varied as our city.

Also Read:- Miami Architecture Handbook: 17 Must-See Places for a Memorable Vacation.

Gas Lamp Plaza Suites ©gaslampplaza.com

San Diego has grown and changed over the decades. Still, its historical architecture remains a testament to its past inhabitants, whether it’s the original Mission-style homes at Mission San Diego de Alcala, the grand Victorian mansions at the turn of the century in Mission Hills, or the striking Midcentury Modern homes of La Jolla, San Diego’s architectural treasures never cease to amaze and delight.

What is the Architectural Style in San Diego?

The buildings in San Diego have a rich heritage that reflects the city’s diverse cultural background. Some are grand houses in the Mediterranean style, while others are modest craftsman residences for middle-income households.

• Victorian Style

San Diego features many Victorian-style buildings, given that this is one of many styles that springs to mind when considering Southern California. The Hotel Del Coronado is arguably San Diego architecture’s most recognizable landmark. This stunning historic hotel is a beloved landmark of Hollywood’s A-listers and a prominent icon of San Diego and Coronado Island.

Hotel Del Coronado. ©hoteldel.com

Heritage Park Victoria Village. ©Hidden San Diego

• Mission Style

No other architectural movement can be directly compared to the distinctive mission style that sprang out of the Spanish missions and monasteries. Below is a photo of the first mission, San Diego de Alcalá, founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1769. The Spanish established missions in California with the dual purposes of converting the indigenous population to Catholicism and establishing a foothold in the region to discourage settlement by Spain’s rivals.

San Diego de Alcalá. ©California Missions

• Craftsman 

Craftsman houses, widely associated with the term “California bungalow,” originated in San Diego as a reaction to the mass-produced, uniform architecture of the day. It would be difficult to describe them in a few words, but “cozy” comes closest.

Even though many of these residences were on the smaller side, there was no upper size limit for these adorable dwellings. Between 1905 and 1930, the number of newly built Craftsman-style homes increased dramatically. Craftsman homes are easily recognizable by their low roof pitches, large hanging ceilings, and front porches supported by square columns.

Also Read: 10 Iconic Buildings That Demonstrate Modern Architecture at Its Finest

©The San Diego Union-Tribune

• Mediterranean

San Diego’s numerous Mediterranean Revival houses took design cues from various historical periods and styles, specifically the Gothic and Italian Renaissance. Although Mediterranean-style homes began appearing in the late 1800s, they only became popular in San Diego in the 1970s.

While not as typical in San Diego architecture, this home style may still be seen across the city and county. Traditional features of Mediterranean architecture include an exterior of brickwork, a roof of red tiles, carved wooden doors, high ceilings, and wooden or wrought-iron terraces.

©Luxury Architecture

• Ranch Style

There was a surge in the popularity of ranch-style homes after the introduction of the vehicle. These low, wide houses were constructed in the city’s rural enclaves before World War I due to the increasing mobility made possible by autos.

These homes, which are low and wide, have a variety of distinctive characteristics that make them stand out from other styles of architecture, such as an asymmetrical façade, a sizable picture window at the front, and an off-centered gateway.

©The San Diego Union-Tribune

15 Sensational Structures that Deftly Reflect San Diego’s Charm

San Diego is a melting pot of cultures, but its Mexican and Spanish influences are most evident in the city’s architecture. We’ve compiled a list of fifteen landmarks that epitomize San Diego’s architectural style so you can experience the rich cultural diversity and history found in San Diego’s architecture

1) San Diego California Temple

©Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

The enormous white spires of this beautiful cathedral make it easy to recognize from the highway. This building, dedicated in 1993, was the 47th temple erected by the Latter-day Saints. The San Diego Times reports that the 7.2-acre facility is illuminated during the holiday season by thousands of lights.

2) Casa de Balboa

©uschools/Getty Images

Balboa Park is home to San Diego’s historic Casa de Balboa. Like many other local landmarks, this one dates back to 1915 when it was constructed for the Panama–California Exhibition. After the old building was destroyed by fire in 1978, a duplicate was built in its place. The building houses various museums and galleries, such as the San Diego Railroad Museum, the Museum of Photographic Arts, and the Museum of San Diego History and Research Archives.

3) Hotel del Coronado

Hotel Del Coronado. ©hoteldel.com

The majestic Hotel del Coronado has been a San Diego landmark since its opening in 1888. Famous actors, musicians, and even presidents have all stayed here at one time or another. With a spa and restaurants, it maintains its status as a five-star establishment.

4) Congregation Beth El

Beth El / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects. ©Stanley Saitowitz

This temple, designed by Stanley Saitowitz and constructed by Natoma Architects in 2000, features elements of both Eastern and Western architecture. The synagogue called “a box of light,” is bathed in natural light from every angle thanks to its skylight, spacious façade, and interior. The natural setting of this place of worship is emphasized by the presence of olive trees and a green lawn.

5) San Diego Central Library

©Darren Bradley

Is that…a hat? That’s the first question that comes to mind when you look at the structure. The city’s main library is cutting-edge in design and construction, and it stands out from the crowd in more ways than one, thanks to the steel and mesh lattice canopy that crowns it.

The architect Rob Quigley designed a nine-story concrete and steel building, widely regarded as an architectural marvel. It opened to the public in 2013. There’s just as much beauty on the inside. An enormous arch and a free-floating staircase characterize the vast central area.

San Diego Central Library’s Interior. ©Rob Wellington Quigley Architects.

6) Salk Institute for Biological Studies

©GroW Annenberg

Salk Institute for Biological Studies, located in San Diego’s La Jolla neighborhood, is known for its striking Louis Kahn architecture. There are three distinct areas on this 27-acre campus, each separated by open space to represent the freedom artists enjoy in today’s world.

The laboratory group, consisting of two blocks of identical buildings separated by a thin, linear water fountain stretching to the ocean’s edge, is still San Diego architecture’s most iconic and prominent aspect. The institute, designed by the winner of the American Institute of Architecture’s 25-year award, Louis Kahn, is a must-see for art-loving travelers because it was built in a style that may even impress Pablo Picasso.

7) Superior Court of California

©Bruce Damonte

The Superior Court is not the city’s highest building, just 22 stories. Even so, the distinctive canopy sheltering its eastern flank makes it a prominent feature of the city’s landscape. Sculpted aluminum panels that bounce light onto the canopy’s bottom celebrate the distinctive San Diego light. Javier Arizmendi of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP was the architect responsible for the courthouse’s 2017 completion.

8) San Diego Convention Center

©San Diego Convention Center

The San Diego Convention Center is a rare architectural gem among conference centers and a tribute to San Diego architecture. Some views evoke a boat’s oar plunging into the sea, while others recall a ship’s sails at full height. A wave lapping at the shore inspired the design of the front extensions. Light is let inside thanks to the barrel-vaulted, see-through ceilings. The center, dedicated to San Diego’s maritime past, opened in 1989 as a collaborative effort.

9) UC San Diego Geisel Library

©Darren Bradley

The brutalist style of the Geisel Library at UC San Diego was intentionally meant to evoke images of a Lorax tree. The main library of the university was named after Dr. Seuss’s creator, Theodor Geisel, and his wife, Audrey. The eight-story structure was constructed in 1970. It was designed and built by William L. Pereira & Associates to hold seven million documents, which include diaries, sketchbooks, and other personal mementos.

10) Point Loma Nazarene University Science Complex

©Point Loma Nazarene University

The new PLNU science building is a stunning example of modern, cutting-edge San Diego design. Carrier Johnson + CULTURE was responsible for its design and 2017 construction. The complex is dazzling, but the grooved panels that wrap along the exterior stand out for their brilliant juxtaposing of the structure’s otherwise straight and smooth surfaces. As you ascend to the rooftop patio, you’ll be awed by the breathtaking panorama of La Jolla below.

La Jolla’s Spectacular Scenery. ©Point Loma Nazarene University

11) The Q

©Jonathan Segal FAIA

This seven-story dwelling, workplace, and business complex was completed in 2010 and successfully combined the old with the new in Little Italy. The building incorporates the most senior residence in Little Italy, a Gothic Victorian mansion built in 1889 that is awkwardly but tastefully exhibited. The building’s 27 homes and communal areas run from solar energy collected by panels installed on the roof and designed by Jonathan Segal FAIA.

12) San Diego – Coronado Bridge

©Art Wager, iStock

This stunning bridge connects Coronado and San Diego across San Diego Bay. The Chicano mural-adorned pillars of a concrete and steel bridge that mark the beginning of State Route 75 are complemented by a breathtaking panorama of the city below. The view from across the road is spectacular at night when the lights adorning this 5-lane bridge reflect off the river and amplify its visual appeal. Although stopping on the bridge is prohibited, taking a slow drive across it allows one to enjoy a beautiful view of the water that surrounds the city.

Related Article: 19 of the Most Beautiful Bridges Worldwide You’ll Ever See.

13) California Tower

©Balboa Park

The California Tower is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, thanks to its distinctive mix of Spanish colonial style and bright Mexican hues. It is part of the Museum of the United States, including the California Building. The tower has three distinct sections: a square base, an octagonal center, and a circular apex.

From the top level of this Spanish colonial building, you can take a breathtaking panorama of San Diego, from the ocean to the Cuyamaca Mountains. You can hear the carillon throughout Balboa Park, so it’s no surprise that it’s a popular tourist destination.

©Balboa Park

14) UCSD Price Center East

©Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign

The student center at UC San Diego, which stands next to the Geisel Library, is almost as striking. After opening in 1989, the Price Center underwent several renovations and additions that have greatly improved the building’s appearance. The Price Center has something for everyone, not just students, with its many dining options, retail stores, relaxing areas, and cinema.

15) Santa Fe Depot

©Amtrak

Over a century has passed since the Santa Fe Depot opened its doors to train travelers. The Bakewell & Brown-designed station first opened in 1915 and was preserved from destruction in the 1980s. Original features, such as passenger waiting seats, are held as part of the building’s rich history.

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