Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Salk Institute
A modernist masterpiece by architect Louis Kahn, with concrete buildings framing a central courtyard and a water channel running toward the Pacific. A must-visit for architecture fans.
The Salk Institute was founded by Jonas Salk, inventor of the polio vaccine, and completed in 1965. Louis Kahn's symmetrical concrete buildings and central travertine courtyard are minimalist and striking, with a narrow water channel pointing straight at the Pacific. The courtyard is free to enter during the day, and the institute also offers a paid architectural tour (reservations required). This is a working research institution, so please keep your voice down. Next door, the Torrey Pines Gliderport is a good place to watch hang gliders.
Opening hours
Courtyard approx. 08:00–17:00 (Mon–Fri)
Nearby sights
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps
- Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
- La Jolla Cove
- Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial
- Children's Pool Beach
- Pacific Beach & Crystal Pier
- Mission Beach & Belmont Park
- SeaWorld San Diego