San Diego Office Space Guide
San Diego offers a diversified office market shaped by life science, healthcare, defense, technology, professional services, and local business demand. Tenants often compare coastal, downtown, and inland submarkets based on employee access and business needs.
San Diego office space market snapshot
Converted from $3.49 per square foot per month asking rent, based on CBRE San Diego Office Figures Q1 2026.
Snapshot for current market context
Traditional, flexible, and team office options
What tenants are seeing now
- San Diego office demand showed signs of stabilization in early 2026 after a softer 2025.
- Pricing has remained resilient even as availability varies by submarket.
- Life science, healthcare, defense, and professional services users continue to influence office demand.
- Tenants often compare downtown options with University City, Sorrento Mesa, and suburban business corridors.
Where to compare office options
Downtown San Diego
A central option for professional services, law, finance, public sector, and customer-facing office users.
University City / UTC
A major business district for technology, life science-adjacent firms, healthcare, and professional services.
Sorrento Mesa
Often considered by technology, life science, and engineering companies seeking campus-style or flexible office options.
Mission Valley
A central inland option for companies prioritizing regional access and practical commute patterns.
Carlsbad / North County
A common comparison market for companies serving North County or seeking suburban office access.
What size office do you need?
Most teams start by estimating headcount, workstyle, meeting needs, and whether they need private offices, open workspace, or a flexible layout. If you are unsure, compare a few size ranges before narrowing the search.
- Under 1,000 sqft can work for small teams, private offices, or focused client meetings.
- 1,000-5,000 sqft often fits growing teams that need a mix of desks, meeting rooms, and shared areas.
- 5,000+ sqft is usually evaluated around department layout, collaboration needs, and future growth.
Compare office space in San Diego
Use Rofo to compare current office space options in San Diego or step back to the broader city market.