Looking for commercial real estate in San Diego?
Hustler’s Library has curated the top experts in commercial real estate in San Diego to help you find the perfect office, retail, or industrial location.
San Diego is a world-class hub for biotechnology, defense, and tourism. Navigating commercial real estate in San Diego requires an understanding of the city’s unique clusters—from the lab-heavy canyons of Sorrento Valley to the bustling retail corridors of the Gaslamp Quarter. These top-rated firms provide the specialized data and negotiation leverage needed to succeed in “America’s Finest City.”
Hughes Marino
Exclusive Tenant Representation Headquartered right here in San Diego, Hughes Marino is the gold standard for conflict-free representation. They never represent landlords, ensuring their loyalty remains 100% with the business owner. They are particularly famous for their expertise in the San Diego life sciences and tech sectors.
Great for: Biotech startups, corporate headquarters, and any tenant wanting aggressive protection against landlord-biased terms.
Voit Real Estate Services
Industrial & Multi-Tenant Office Voit is a Southern California institution with a massive footprint in San Diego. They are highly rated for their “entrepreneurial” culture, meaning their brokers often think like business owners. They excel in the industrial and R&D sectors, which are the backbone of San Diego’s manufacturing and defense economy.
Great for: Manufacturers, defense contractors, and small-to-mid-sized businesses seeking industrial or flex space.
CBRE – San Diego
Comprehensive Market Intelligence As one of the world’s largest real estate firms, CBRE’s San Diego office offers unparalleled data. Their “San Diego Life Sciences Group” and “Retail Services” teams provide deep-dive analytics that smaller firms simply can’t match. They are often the listing agents for the most prestigious Class A office towers in Downtown and UTC.
Great for: Large-scale retail operations, international corporations, and investors seeking high-yield commercial assets.
Commercial real estate in San Diego is defined by geographic specialization. Submarkets such as Sorrento Valley (Biotech Central), UTC (Class A Office), Kearny Mesa (Industrial), and Downtown each serve specific business needs. Entrepreneurs exploring the city broadly may also find value in our Doing Business in San Diego: A Complete Guide, which outlines the economic trends and local business infrastructure of the county.
Office properties range from the high-rises of the Financial District to the “low-rise” corporate campuses in Carmel Valley. San Diego’s office market is increasingly leaning toward “lifestyle” amenities to attract top tech talent.
Businesses evaluating traditional office space often pair this with hybrid solutions, which we break down in our guide to the best coworking spaces in San Diego.
Retail in San Diego thrives on tourism and local “village” culture. From the high-end boutiques of La Jolla Prospect Street to the revitalization projects in North Park, retail operators must navigate high demand and limited supply.
Mixed-use developments are increasingly popular in areas like Little Italy and East Village. Retailers should also consider the City of San Diego’s specific permitting requirements, which are covered in our business licensing resources.
Industrial real estate is one of the most competitive segments of commercial real estate in San Diego. Logistics hubs near Otay Mesa and light manufacturing in Vista are in high demand due to cross-border trade and the city’s robust defense industry.
San Diego remains a high-target market for commercial real estate investors. With low vacancy rates in the industrial and life science sectors, property values remain resilient. Investors may also benefit from understanding local capital access, as outlined in our San Diego Tax and Financial Services resources.
Leasing is the preferred route for San Diego’s many “Scale-ups” that need the ability to move as they secure new funding rounds.
Buying property is a strategic move for established San Diego companies looking to hedge against rising rents, particularly in the industrial sector. With SBA 504 loans, many local business owners can purchase their own facility with as little as 10% down.
Entrepreneurs buying an existing operation may encounter this decision immediately, which we explore further in our How to Buy a Business in San Diego guide.
Zoning and “Permitted Use” play a significant role in commercial real estate in San Diego. Before signing a lease or purchasing property, business owners should confirm that their intended use complies with the City of San Diego’s Land Development Code or specific community plan regulations.
Local considerations such as Coastal Commission requirements (for beach-area properties), parking ratios, and “Special Use” permits for breweries or biotech labs should be reviewed early in the process. Businesses navigating these steps often coordinate with local legal consultants and financial professionals, which we outline in our San Diego tax and financial services resources.
The most effective realtors in San Diego understand the region’s specific “canyon-and-mesa” geography and industry clusters:
A realtor who knows the “pocket” listings in Sorrento Mesa can save a biotech firm millions.
Industrial brokers in Otay Mesa have a vastly different skill set than retail brokers in the Gaslamp.
Commercial real estate decisions impact cash flow, operations, and long-term strategy. Realtors who regularly work with business owners and investors tend to structure deals with these realities in mind.
Commercial transactions are complex. A reliable realtor explains terms clearly, flags risks early, and maintains consistent communication throughout the process.
Navigating the municipal requirements of the San Diego Development Services Department (DSD) is critical to avoiding move-in delays.
In addition to working directly with a commercial realtor, many business owners and investors begin their search using online commercial real estate platforms. These marketplaces provide visibility into active listings across multiple property types and submarkets. Common platforms used in San Diego include:
LoopNet: One of the largest commercial real estate marketplaces, offering publicly listed office, retail, industrial, and investment properties throughout San Diego
Crexi: A data-driven platform frequently used by brokers and investors, particularly for industrial assets and income-producing commercial properties.
CommercialCafe: Often used for office and retail leasing, with tools that allow users to compare spaces by size, amenities, and submarket.
Brokerage firm websites: Many commercial brokerages like the ones mentioned at the beginning of the page publish listings directly on their own sites, including opportunities that may not yet appear on larger marketplaces.
Hustler’s Library: In addition to public listing platforms, Hustler’s Library operates at the intersection of business ownership, investment, and local market intelligence. Through its city guides, consulting relationships, and operator-focused network, the platform occasionally surfaces off-market or early-stage commercial real estate opportunities that never reach traditional listing sites.
Public platforms are a strong starting point, but they rarely capture the full picture of what is available in a market like San Diego.
Some of the most compelling commercial real estate opportunities in San Diego happen off-market. These deals may involve owners quietly testing demand, businesses preparing to relocate, or investors repositioning assets without public exposure.
Off-market opportunities are most often discovered through:
direct relationships with commercial brokers
local business owners and professional advisors
private investor and operator networks
Hustler’s Library plays a unique role in this process by maintaining close relationships with business owners, consultants, bankers, and investors operating throughout San Diego & California. Because the platform sits upstream of many business decisions; such as expansion, relocation, acquisition, and restructuring – it occasionally becomes aware of commercial real estate opportunities before they are formally listed.
Decisions regarding commercial real estate in San Diego often shape a business’s trajectory for years. By understanding the local submarkets and working with experienced San Diego professionals, founders can position themselves to operate efficiently and grow sustainably.