About Open House San Diego

San Diego’s Largest, Free, Architectural Festival

Open House San Diego is a free, annual public showcase that promotes appreciation of San Diego’s urban environment through behind-the scenes access to and information about buildings and public spaces in San Diego neighborhoods. It’s an exciting opportunity for you to learn about the importance of thoughtful and innovative architecture, urban planning and design.

It’s YOUR CHANCE to have a dialogue with architects, design enthusiasts and neighbors about the future of our city and participate in building a more vibrant civic life. The buildings and spaces we build today – as well as those we protect and repurpose- will define the San Diego of tomorrow.

The Story of OH! San Diego

OH! San Diego was founded in 2015 by Susanne Friestedt, a native San Diegan and Point Loma resident, as her way of giving back to her hometown in a meaningful, lasting way. San Diego is the third city in the United States to become an  official Open House Worldwide City, joining New York and Chicago in this distinction. The annual event offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the iconic, cutting-edge and historical buildings that shape our city’s DNA. Each site is chosen for its unique contribution through architectural design, historic value, cultural significance, repurposing of space or environmental sustainability.

While enjoying your own custom tours of the best of San Diego’s architecture, we invite you to reflect on how these buildings and spaces reflect the challenges and opportunities presented by out history, culture and geography. It’s your city! Treasure it!

The Story of Open House Worldwide

The Open House concept began in London in 1992 with the aim of fostering a better understanding of architecture outside of the profession and providing experts and citizens a chance to learn about, discuss and debate the merits and challenges of architectural design and urban planning.

The concept resonated with cities across the globe and led to the creation of Open House Worldwide in 2010. Each Open House city if committed to the same core values and together reach across five continents with over one million people participating worldwide.

If you happen to be traveling to one off our sister cities in the future, you are invited to attend their events. Make sure to check the Open House Worldwide website for details.

Interested in Sponsorship?

OH! San Diego sponsors have the opportunity to showcase their civic pride and connect with a diverse audience of residents and visitors. Learn more about sponsorship or contact openhouse@sdarchitecture.org.