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
Market context for office space 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 space 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 space do you need?
Most businesses start by estimating team size, operational needs, customer access, storage needs, and future growth. If you are unsure, compare a few size ranges before narrowing the search.
- Under 1,000 sqft can work for smaller teams, service businesses, or focused local operations.
- 1,000-5,000 sqft often fits growing businesses that need a practical mix of work, customer, or support areas.
- 5,000+ sqft is usually evaluated around layout, operational flow, and future expansion needs.
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.