Architecture Tours

Please use the system on the right-hand side of this page to select a date and guest options for your Salk Architecture tours.

Tours begin at Noon and take about 1 hour. Please plan to arrive 10 minutes early to accommodate free parking. Tour are conducted rain or shine. All tours reservations must be cancelled at least 2 business days before the scheduled tour date for a full refund.

Each weekday at 11:30 a.m., the Salk Institute is pleased to offer a complimentary "Meet a Scientist" talk. All tour guests are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy an interesting and educational chat about the latest discoveries at the Institute with a Salk researcher.

Please expect to see some scaffolding around the building and construction during tours occurring between March 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017. The Salk Institute is more than 50 years old now, a historic milestone for a campus that is revered around the world as a modern architectural treasure. The buildings are generally in terrific condition, but the teak is the weakest component of the materials used in its construction and thus aging the most quickly. The Salk Institute has partnered with the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) to develop the Teak Fenestration Conservation Program, which will follow international best-practices in conservation, restoration and replacement of the building structures. The project offers Salk an opportunity to be proactive in maintaining and conserving the teak for the next 50 years. We thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to conserve the integrity of the Salk Institute.

For additional information please see our FAQ or email tours@salk.edu or call Salk Tours at 858-453-4100, ext. 1287 Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. If you would like to reserve a private tour for a group or cannot make the daily noon tour, please see our information about private group tours.