List of tallest buildings in San Diego

San Diego, a major coastal city in Southern California, has over 200 high-rises mainly in its central business district. The city currently has 50 buildings that stand taller than 300 feet (91 m), the third-most in California after San Francisco and Los Angeles. In the 1970s, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began restricting downtown building height to a maximum of within a radius from San Diego International Airport. As a result, Downtown San Diego has no buildings beyond that height, and only three buildings are taller than 492 ft (150 m). The tallest building in the city is the 34-story One America Plaza, completed in 1991 which stands at tall.

The history of skyscrapers in San Diego began with the completion of the U.S. Grant Hotel in 1910. Standing at 211 ft (64 m), it was the tallest building in the city for 17 years, symbolizing early 20th century economic growth and urban development. In 1927, the El Cortez Hotel surpassed it with a height of 310 ft (94 m), becoming a prominent landmark and reflecting the city's expanding ambitions during the Roaring Twenties. For much of the mid-20th century, high-rise development in San Diego remained modest compared to other major American cities, largely due to the city's size and geographic constraints. A significant shift occurred in 1969 when 530 B Street was completed, reaching 388 ft (118 m) and holding the title of tallest building for two decades. This period marked the beginning of more modern office towers and a move toward vertical urbanization.

An uptick in construction took place from the 1980s to the early 1990s, which saw the emergence of major skyscrapers such as the Symphony Towers, completed in 1989 at 499 feet (152 m), and One America Plaza, which overtook it in 1991. All three buildings that surpassed 492 ft (150 m) in height were completed between 1989 and 1992. The late 1990s and 2000s onwards saw a surge in new high-rise construction, particularly residential skyscrapers, which introduced twin tower designs and modern architectural styles to the city. This era coincided with broader urban renewal efforts aimed at revitalizing downtown neighborhoods and accommodating a growing population seeking urban living. In contrast to Los Angeles and San Francisco, over half of the city's 300-foot buildings were completed after 2000.

The FAA's height restrictions created a skyline that is relatively uniform in height, compared to other American cities. As a result, San Diego's skyline is often noted for its integration with the natural coastal environment, preserving sight lines to the bay and surrounding hills. While most tall buildings are located in the downtown area, there are also a number of residential high-rises in the University City neighborhood. South of the Mexico–United States border is the Mexican city of Tijuana, which has a significant skyline of its own. San Diego and Tijuana form the San Diego–Tijuana trans border agglomeration, which together has nearly 50 buildings taller than 100 m (328 ft).

History

After the completion of Cortez Hotel in 1927, it remained the tallest building in San Diego for 36 years, until it was surpassed by the Executive Complex in 1963.

The FAA's height restrictions—introduced in the 1970s due to the proximity of San Diego International Airport—limited downtown building heights to a maximum of 500 feet (152 m). This restriction has significantly influenced the architectural character and scale of San Diego's skyline, resulting in a cluster of buildings that generally adhere to the 500-foot limit. This has created a relatively uniform skyline height compared to other major cities, with an emphasis on horizontal spread and mid-rise development in surrounding neighborhoods. The late 1990s and 2000s saw a surge in new high-rise construction, particularly residential skyscrapers, which introduced twin tower designs and modern architectural styles to the city. This era coincided with broader urban renewal efforts aimed at revitalizing downtown neighborhoods and accommodating a growing population seeking urban living.

, there have been 10 buildings that have been proposed, approved, undergoing review, or are currently undergoing construction which will join the tallest buildings in San Diego (over 300 feet).

Cityscape

Map of tallest buildings The map below shows the location of buildings taller than 300 feet (61 m) in San Diego. Each marker is numbered by height and colored by the decade of the building's completion.

Tallest buildings

This list ranks San Diego skyscrapers that stand at least tall as of 2026, based on standard height measurement. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts. The "Year" column indicates the year in which a building was completed

+ Rank Name Image LocationHeightft (m) Floors Year Purpose Notes 1 One America Plaza 34 1991 Office Tallest building in the city since 1991; tallest building in California outside of Los Angeles and San Francisco. 2 Symphony Towers 34 1989 Mixed-use Tallest building in San Diego from 1989 to 1991. Mixed-use office and hotel building. 3 Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego 40 1992 Hotel Tallest building on the waterfront on the West Coast of the United States. Tallest hotel building in San Diego. 4 Pinnacle on the Park I 45 2015 Residential Tallest residential tower in San Diego together with the Pinnacle II tower. 5 Pinnacle on the Park II 45 2019 Residential Tallest residential tower in San Diego together with the Pinnacle I tower. Also known as Spire San Diego. 6 Electra 43 2008 Residential 7 Pacific Gate by Bosa 41 2017 Residential 8 Pinnacle Marina Tower 36 2005 Residential9Emerald Plaza301990Mixed-useMixed-use office and hotel building with retail. 10 Manchester Grand Hyatt Seaport 34 2003 Hotel 11 The Torrey–342026 Mixed-use 12 Diega South Tower– 412020 Residential13800 Broadway–402024ResidentialContains retail units.14West–372024Mixed-useMixed-use residential and office building with retail. The project also included $80 million tunnel. Also known as Courthouse Commons. 15 Harbor Club West 41 1992 Residential 16 Harbor Club East 41 1992 Residential 17 The Grande South at Santa Fe Place 39 2004 Residential 18 The Grande North at Santa Fe Place 39 2005 Residential 19 Vantage Pointe Condominium 41 2009 Residential 20 Savina San Diego Condominiums 36 2018 Residential21The Lindley–372024ResidentialContains retail units. 22 655 West Broadway 23 2005 Mixed-use Formerly known as Advanced Equities Plaza from 2007 to 2012, and First Allied Plaza from 2012 to 2024. Mixed-use residential and office building with retail. 23Simone Little Italy–362023 ResidentialAlso known as Union & Ash.24Park 12362018ResidentialAlso known as Ballpark Village. Contains retail units. 25 Bayside at the Embarcadero 36 2009 Residential 26 530 B Street 27 1969 Office Tallest building in San Diego from 1969 to 1989. Formerly known as the Union Bank of California Building until 2022.27San Diego Central Courthouse222017Office 28 Hilton San Diego Bayfront 32 2008 Hotel 29 The Mark 33 2007 Residential 30 1 Columbia Place 27 1982 OfficeAlso known as First National Bank Center.31Sapphire Tower322008Residential 32 Omni San Diego Hotel 34 2004 Hotel 33 Meridian Condominiums 28 1985 Residential 34 Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina Tower I 25 1984 HotelCompleted three years earlier than its twin counterpart. Operated as the Inter-Continental San Diego until 1987. 35 Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina Tower II 25 1987 Hotel 36 The Merian– 34 2020 Residential 37 Imperial Bank Tower 24 1982 Office 38 Tower 180 25 1963 Office Tallest building in San Diego from 1963 to 1969. 39 101 W Broadway 20 1982 Office Formerly known as the AT&T Building. 40 600 B Street 23 1974 Office Formerly known as the San Diego Union Tribune Building until 2023. 41 James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep United States Courthouse 16 2012 Office 42 Wells Fargo Plaza 23 1984 Office 43 525 B Street 22 1969 OfficeAlso known as the Procopio Tower and formerly known as Golden Eagle Plaza. 44 11th and Broadway Tower 2 – 32 2024 ResidentialPart of the Broadway Towers development. Contains retail units. 45 El Cortez 14 1927 Residential Tallest building in San Diego from 1927 to 1963.4611th and Broadway Tower 1–312024ResidentialPart of the Broadway Towers development. Contains retail units. 47 Rise– 15 2024 Office Part of the IQHQ's Research and Development District (RaDD) 48 225 Broadway 22 1975 Office 49 The Rey – 25 2016 Residential50Marriott Vacation Club Pulse271990HotelFormerly the Sheraton Suites. Part of the Symphony Towers complex.

Tallest under construction or proposed

Under construction This lists buildings that are under construction in San Diego and are planned to rise at least 300 feet (91 meters) as of 2026. The "year" column indicates the estimated year of completion. Name Coordinates Heightft (m) Floors Year Purpose Notes Andia 40 2027 Residential Andia will be a 40-story luxury condominium tower with 393 units and ground-floor retail. Will become the tallest building in San Diego upon completion. Le Méridien 39 2027 Mixed-use Le Méridien will be a 39-story condo and hotel tower.

Proposed This lists ranks proposed buildings in San Diego that are planned to be taller than 300 ft (91 m). A dash "–“ indicates information about the building is unknown or has not been released. Name Coordinates Heightft (m) Floors Year Purpose Status Notes 1st and Island 35 – Residential Under Review Planned 35-story residential tower, replacing a parking lot in the Gaslamp Quarter. Will be situated next to the Harbor Club towers. 444 West Beech – 39 – Mixed-use Under Review 444 West Beech is a proposed 39-story mixed-use tower by Endeavor Real Estate Group, planned for the north side of Beech Street between Columbia and State in downtown San Diego. The project would include 491 apartments (37 affordable units) and about 6,938 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail. Kettner Crossing Phase 2 – 33 – Residential Under Review Phase 2 of Kettner Crossing is the next development stage of a mixed-use project in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood. This phase includes additional residential units and retail spaces. 1950 India Street – 26 – Residential Under Review A planned mixed-use tower in Little Italy, expected to bring 444 units of residential space and 33,752 sq. ft. of retail space. The spot is currently a vacant building. Après Little Italy – 25 – Residential Under Review Another planned mixed-use tower coming to the Little Italy area. It will feature over 150 apartments and 9,289 sq. ft. of retail space.

Timeline of tallest buildings

These are the list of buildings that have held the title of tallest building in San Diego.

Name ImageHeightft (m) Floors Years as tallest Notes U.S. Grant Hotel 11 17 years (1910–1927) El Cortez Hotel 16 36 years (1927–1963) Tower 180 25 6 years (1963–1969) 530 B Street 27 20 years (1969–1989) Symphony Towers 34 2 years (1989–1991) One America Plaza 34 years (1991–present)

Notes

List of tallest buildings in San Diego

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