Market Guide
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, CA
Q1 2026
Office Space
Quick Facts
San Diego market quick facts
City
San Diego
CA
County
San Diego County
Regional market context
Population
3,064,435
City population context
Buildings
88
Example buildings in Rofo data
Common Space Types
4
Office Space, Retail Space, Industrial Space, Coworking Space
Nearby Markets
8
National City, Lemon Grove, La Mesa
Market Overview
Commercial real estate in San Diego
San Diego, CA is a local commercial real estate market in San Diego County where businesses can compare space needs by location, property type, and fit. Common space types include office space, retail space, industrial space, coworking space. Rofo currently includes 88 example buildings for this market. Nearby markets such as National City, Lemon Grove, La Mesa can also be useful to compare.
Market Snapshot
San Diego office space market snapshot
Average Rent
About $42 per square foot per year
Converted from $3.49 per square foot per month asking rent, based on CBRE San Diego Office Figures Q1 2026.
Market Date
Q1 2026
Snapshot for current market context
Current Trends
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.
Space Types
Commercial space types in San Diego
Office Space in San Diego
Office space can work for professional services, client-facing teams, administrative users, and companies that need private workspace.
View office space in San DiegoRetail Space in San Diego
Retail space can work for storefronts, restaurants, service businesses, wellness operators, and customer-facing brands.
View retail space in San Diego Read the retail space guideIndustrial Space in San Diego
Industrial space can work for warehouse users, logistics operations, light manufacturing, service trades, and distribution needs.
View industrial space in San Diego Read the industrial space guideCoworking Space in San Diego
Coworking space can work for flexible teams, remote workers, startups, and businesses that want shorter-term workspace options.
View coworking space in San DiegoNeighborhood Breakdown
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.
Nearby City Pages
Compare nearby commercial real estate markets
Nearby markets can be useful if you are flexible on location, commute, space type, or building fit.
National City, CA
Explore National City commercial real estateLemon Grove, CA
Explore Lemon Grove commercial real estateLa Mesa, CA
Explore La Mesa commercial real estateChula Vista, CA
Explore Chula Vista commercial real estateSantee, CA
Explore Santee commercial real estateDel Mar, CA
Explore Del Mar commercial real estateExample Buildings
Example buildings in San Diego
Space Planning
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.
Next Steps
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.
GET HELP
Tell us what you need
Help us understand your space, timing, and priorities—we’ll point you in the right direction.
Type of space
Office, retail, industrial, flex, or coworking
Size or team
A rough range or headcount is enough
Location
Your target area or nearby options
Timeline
Now, soon, or just exploring
GET HELP
Find the right space for your business
Tell us what you need — we’ll follow up with a few spaces that fit.
FAQ
San Diego commercial real estate FAQ
How do I find commercial space in San Diego?
Start by defining the type of space, approximate size, preferred location, and timing. Rofo can help compare available options in San Diego and nearby markets.
What types of commercial space are available in San Diego?
San Diego has guide or inventory coverage for office space, retail space, industrial space, coworking space. Availability varies by property and timing.
Can Rofo help me compare nearby markets?
Yes. Rofo can help compare San Diego with nearby markets such as National City, Lemon Grove, La Mesa.
How does Rofo connect me with local options?
Share what kind of space you need, your target market, and approximate size. Rofo reviews the request and helps identify relevant next steps.