This weekend, March 25 & 26th, the San Diego Architectural Foundation presents the 3rd Annual OH! San Diego event. Over the course of the weekend, over 40 unique architectural sites throughout Downtown, Barrio Logan, Bankers Hill and Balboa Park will be open to the public for both guided and self-guided tours.

Visitors are encouraged to visit the OH! San Diego website and choose the sites they wish to see and plan out their day. All of the buildings are located within close proximity to public transportation, but for the best experience, the SDAF recommends walking to sites within each neighborhood. Some sites have tours that require advanced reservations, which can be made on the program website. The website also has a useful interactive map to help participants plan their site visits. You can also download the complete program guide here.

Hotel Churchill, Downtown

Villa Montezuma, Barrio Logan

Each one of the sites selected for OH! San Diego has its own individual mark on the history of our city. While some structures are new, others are historic landmarks with intriguing stories behind them. Many are repurposed, marrying original design elements with contemporary features for modern living. Ten of the buildings featured are winners of the prestigious Orchid Award. These awards are awarded to buildings nominated by the public as a favorite work of architecture. The program also raises awareness and encourages dialog in response to our built environment.

The Barcelona, Bankers Hill

Visitors are encouraged to take photos of their favorite elements and details and submit them to the online photo contest via social media. Photos can be submitted to Instagram: @sdarchitecture, Twitter:@SDAFinfo, or Facebook @SDAFinfo and by using the hashtags #OHSandiego2017 & #sdarchitecture. Photos must be taken this weekend and submitted by midnight on Sunday, 3/26. Need extra incentive to participate? Prizes will be awarded in three categories – Interior, Exterior and Detail. So don’t forget your camera!

Sparks Gallery, Gaslamp

On Saturday, the San Diego Central Library will be host to OH! Talks featuring lectures from local architects, urban planners, historians and more. Come by to listen to what the local experts have to say. Learn about challenging issues that face our city right now as well as in the future. After each presentation, there will be opportunity for Q&A with the speaker.

Maston House, Bankers Hill

If you would like to get involved further, you can sign up to volunteer for OH! San Diego as well as SDAF’s other architecture and design-related programs. Learn more about becoming a volunteer, a member or sponsor of SDAF. Scroll down for a few more of our favorite locations that will be featured this weekend. Be sure to share on social media all of your favorites and tag us too, @Holdithome. Enjoy!

 

The Keating Hotel, The Gaslamp

The New Children’s Museum, The Gaslamp

BNIM Office Building, East Village

La Esquina, Barrio Logan