The museum complex incorporates the original Ellen Browning Scripps residence, designed by pioneer modernist architect Irving Gill.
The 2022 expansion project doubled the museum's gallery space and increased the total area to over 46,000 square feet.
The museum's collection emphasizes art from the 1950s to the present, with a specific focus on the San Diego-Tijuana border region.
The architecture features extensive use of glass to provide panoramic views of the Pacific coastline from within the gallery spaces.
The institution holds a prominent collection of California Light and Space movement works, which rely on environmental sensory perception.
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) in La Jolla occupies a landmark site overlooking the Pacific Ocean, recently expanded by Selldorf Architects to feature glass-walled galleries. The institution specializes in art created after 1950, with a focus on regional artists and minimalist movements. Its physical footprint integrates the historic 1916 Irving Gill-designed residence with modern, subterranean and elevated exhibition wings. Visitors can access a specialized bookstore and retail space featuring art-focused literature, unique jewelry, and design-led objects. The museum holds a significant collection of site-specific installations, including works by Robert Irwin and Richard Serra. The current site acts as a focal point for the La Jolla cultural district.
The upper terrace level, which captures the intersection of minimalist architectural lines and the Pacific horizon.
Check the online calendar for recurring free community days or guided architectural tours.
Prioritize walking the outdoor terraces, which offer significant vantage points of the La Jolla Cove coastline.
Visit the retail store at the end of your tour for curated design objects not available in standard gift shops.
Do not attempt to park in nearby residential streets, as permit restrictions are strictly enforced; use designated coastal parking lots.
Closed on Wednesdays; generally open daily otherwise.
Photography is generally permitted for personal use without flash; large bags and backpacks must be stored in provided lockers.
