Besuch in Salk

The Salk Institute is an active scientific research facility. To maintain the research environment while ensuring a meaningful visitor experience, campus access is available through registered docent-led architectural tours or official Institute business only.

Visitors may access the Institute through public architectural tours offered Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., unless the Institute is closed for a holiday or private event. Tours are approximately one hour long.

Visitors may also access the Institute by booking a Private Group Tour in advance.

Klicken Sie hier to book both types of tours.

No. The Salk Institute campus is closed on weekends, holidays, and for private events.

The iconic courtyard and “River of Life” water feature are located within the Institute grounds and may only be viewed as part of a registered tour. Visitors may still enjoy exterior perimeter views from surrounding public roads.

Public tour tickets may be purchased online. Public tours are generally available Wednesdays through Fridays at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Click here to book a public tour

Private Group Tours may be requested for Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Private Group Tour requests must be submitted at least 10 business days prior to the prospective tour date.

Click here to register for a private tour

Public tours: Klicken Sie hier to check availability and purchase tickets

Private tours: Klicken Sie hier to complete the request form.

The Institute typically schedules tours 3 months in advance for both public and private tours.

No. Tour capacity is intentionally limited to provide the best visitor experience.

No. All visits take place as part of a docent-led tour to protect the active research environment and ensure a consistent visitor experience.

Both public and private tours take one hour, follow the same outdoor route and include the same architectural highlights, history, and docent commentary. Private tours are reserved exclusively for your group of guests, while public tours include individual visitors from the general public. Access to the labs and other interior spaces is prohibited on all tours.

Tours work best with a limited number of visitors in each group, so very large private tours will be split into separate groups – each led by an individual docent.

Click here to register for a private tour

The Institute does not offer any sunset tours.

If you are an educator looking only for an architectural tour for your students, Klicken Sie hier to request a private tour.

If you are an educator who wishes to visit a Salk lab with your students or learn more about our science, Klicken Sie hier.

Architectural tours (public or private) last approximately one hour.

Public tours run generally every Wednesday through Friday at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Private tours must be arranged in advance for specific times between 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

No. Tours remain outdoors and do not include access to laboratories or restricted interior areas.

Yes. Tours can accommodate guests with accessibility needs in accordance with ADA standards.

Service animals trained to do work or perform tasks related to a person’s disability per California law, are permitted on tours. The service animal must be harnessed, leashed or tethered (unless these devices interfere with its work), and must remain under the owner’s control at all times.

The tour experience is designed primarily for adults and visitors with a strong interest in architecture and design. Because tours are approximately one hour long and focused on architecture, younger children may find the experience less engaging. Strollers are not permitted on the tour.

Tours take place entirely outdoors and include stairs and some uneven surfaces. Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, hats, and layered clothing are recommended.

The Institute does not provide interpreters. If you or your group require an interpreter, you must bring your own, and either purchase an additional public tour ticket for that person, or include them as part of the headcount in planning for your private tour.

All tour guests should check in at the Security/Reception entrance located in the southern front building of the campus. Klicken Sie hier for a map of the Salk campus, which identifies the visitor entrance with a red dot.

There is no public parking available on the Salk Institute campus for tour attendees. Paid parking is available across the street at the Sanford Consortium for $4.50/hour. Limited public parking may be found along Torrey Pines Scenic Drive or Torrey Pines Gliderport parking lot, although the latter is unpaved and not suitable for some vehicles.

If you plan to drive your own vehicle, please allow an extra 15-20 minutes to park.

Klicken Sie hier for parking map.

Ride-share services and taxis are recommended. Public transit options include local bus service and the UC San Diego Blue Line trolley. For the schedule, visit San Diego’s MTS trip planner.

Please leave all strollers, luggage, or any other large or bulky items at home or in your vehicle, as there are stairs on the tour route and no place to store items. If you do bring large items, Salk is not responsible for storing, securing, or watching these belongings.

No. Tours operate rain or shine.

If you or your group is running late for a tour, please email Salk Tours at tours@salk.edu. We will do our best to accommodate you.

Tours begin promptly. Guests arriving more than 10 minutes late may not be able to join the tour to avoid disruption to the group. If you aren’t able to join your scheduled tour, you may request a refund of the cost of the ticket.

If you need to cancel or reschedule tickets for a public tour that you purchased online, please email Salk Tours at tours@salk.edu for assistance.

If you need to cancel or reschedule a pre-arranged private tour, please email Salk Tours at tours@salk.edu. Private tour cancellation requests must be received at least two business days prior to the scheduled tour date for a full refund.

Refunds for public tour tickets are available if you find yourself unable to attend the tour you booked online, with 24 hours advance notice.

Refunds for private tours must be requested at least two business days prior to the scheduled tour date for a full refund. After that, the tour payment will be considered a donation that supports the preservation and maintenance of the Salk Institute buildings.

Contact Salk Tours at tours@salk.edu for another copy of your confirmation or tickets.

Yes, the Salk Café is open to visitors from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Access to the Café is on the perimeter of the building and we recommend that you plan your meal for before or after your visit. Seating is available on the Lower West Courtyard for Café patrons.

Show your tour confirmation at the Café and enjoy 10% off—a tasty reward for joining the tour!

Salk Institute merchandise and branded items are available online through the Salk Store. Visit www.salk.edu/store.

Yes. Please click on the donate button to make an online donation.

Casual personal photography and brief videography is permitted during tours as follows:

• Guests are limited to one hand-held camera/phone without the use of any additional photo/video equipment.
• Tripods, selfie sticks, lighting set-ups, drones, props, costumes and other equipment are prohibited.
• Formal, staged and commissioned photography or videography is prohibited.
• Taking photos of the laboratories is strictly prohibited.
• Tour groups may not be delayed or interrupted for extensive photography.
• When taking photos, please follow all instructions from docents, and respect other visitors and Salk staff.

Klicken Sie hier for additional photo guidelines.

For additional questions or assistance, please contact us at tours@salk.edu.