Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego / North

1550 S El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024

Open:

12:00 to 5:00 pm (Thursday to Sunday)
Closed (Monday to Wednesday)

ICA San Diego’s commitment to creative passion and exploration is alive and well. At the center of the community is a singular goal: to ignite curiosity!

By Amanda Rosa

Last Updated on

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ICA San Diego / North

Question. Engage. Learn.

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Exhibits & Attractions

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Question. Engage. Learn. ICA San Diego/North Challenges Visitors to Think Outside The Box

Touted as a “living laboratory of art and ideas”, The Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego / North is no stranger to experimental art.

Each season is an opportunity for the community to engage in art created by local artists and this year promises more.

Take a stroll through The Sculpture Trail. Consider your place among the community and beyond in the latest SUPERFLEX exhibit. Channel your creative spirit through a class. As the saying goes, there’s more to C at the ICA.

Once the Lux Art Institute, Encinitas’ ICA North delivers inspiration at every turn. Their five acres overlook the San Elijo Lagoon, combining natural beauty with boundary pushing artwork that draws guests in.

ICA’s commitment to engaging the community with exhibitions, installations, and workshops is a large part of what makes this museum stand out.

Surrounded by gardens filled with native plants, a wildlife preserve, and with views of the San Elijo Lagoon, ICA North also treats its visitors to some of the best natural wonders in San Diego.

The ICA North is free and open to the public. It’s time to discover something new and question everything!

I really love the way this museum pushes the boundaries with art. They always seem to wow me with something new and I think you’ll have a similar experience during your visit.

So let’s get into a bit more about the ICA. What do you want to C?

Embrace the Unexpected!

Contemporary art often challenges traditional norms and expectations, so approach each artwork with curiosity and willingness to explore new perspectives.

What to Expect When Visiting ICA North in 2024

Visitors to ICA San Diego/North can expect more classes, more family friendly activities, and more occasions to ponder our world and our effect on it. The ICA North is located at 1550 S El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024.

Admissions

ICA San Diego is free to visit. However, guests that wish to donate to support the museum and future exhibits can pay $10 for general admission and $5 for students, military service members, and seniors.

Visitors can make reservations via the ICA website from now through January 2025.

Parking

General parking is available in the Education Pavilion parking lot. Guests requiring designated accessibility can find dedicated parking in the Education and Artist Pavilion lots.

Public Transportation

The public transportation options in San Diego are quite good! Visitors can take the 304 bus towards Palomar College Transit Center to visit the museum.

Disembark at El Camino Real & Santa Fe Dr. ICA north is approximately a 15-minute walk from the entrance.

Art Lovers Bundle & SAVE!

San Diego Museum of Art

Experience art from around the world at San Diego's oldest art institution! Visitors enjoy 19th and 20th Century American paintings, in addition to Spanish, Italian and Asian artwork. Don't miss the sculpture garden and floral displays!

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The Go City San Diego pass gives visitors the ability to save up to 55% on attraction admissions.

Combine our exclusive 5% discount to save even more and consider the All-Inclusive pass to maximize your savings. Plus the pass gives you the ability to skip the line when visiting select attractions.

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Popular Hotels Nearby

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Park Hyatt Aviara Resort

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The Cassara Carlsbad

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L'Auberge Del Mar Resort and Spa

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Leucadia Beach Inn

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The ICA San Diego/North Exhibits & Attractions for 2024

Every visit seems to offer me something new! Check out the latest and greatest exhibits and attractions at the museum.

The Sculpture Trail

Wind your way across twelve site-specific installations that highlight the natural beauty of the coastal landscape that’s home to the ICA.

From playing with sunbeams and shadows to a mixed media sculpture that highlights the unique bond between San Diego and Tijuana, to cement steps that reflect upon a dark moment in our history; the Sculpture Trail is full of moments for contemplation, understanding, and fun.

SUPERFLEX: Beyond the End of the World

Created by the Danish art collective SUPERFLEX, “Beyond the End of the World”, focuses on coexistence between species. The exhibit considers the perspectives of plants and animals while emphasizing interspecies living.

The exhibit will also include:

The film, “Beyond the End of the World” - a glimpse into a post-Anthropocene future.
A site-specific ceramic installation - a physical companion to the imagery of the film.

The exhibit will run from January 20th to July 28th.

C You Saturday!

In March, “C You Saturday” is hosting “SUPERFLEX: Beyond the End of the World”.

SUPERFLEX will present their latest exhibit in this free event with live music by Shawn De Lacy.

Guests can create clay underwater scenes inspired by “Beyond the End of the World” ahead of a conservation with SUPERFLEX artist Jakob Fenger, architect Teddy Cruz, and environmental activist Adam Aron.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase during this March 16th event.

It will run from 4 to 8 PM.

Interface

This exhibit season combines both art and life sciences. It is an invitation to consider the relationship between humans, art, meditation, and the science of everyday life interconnects.

NextGen

This annual exhibit returns for the Interface 2024-2025 season. NextGen celebrates and brings to light local, emerging artists from across San Diego County and Northern Baja California.

Applications to NextGen are open. The submission period ends March 1st.

Solo Exhibition: Melissa Walter

Walter brings her grids, flowcharts, and scientific concepts to ICA San Diego. This site-specific installation will bring to life 100 Southern Blot Method drawings through experimental animation.

Her exhibit runs from August 17th to December 29th.

Solo Exhibition: Manuel Alejandro Rodríguez-Delgado

Rodríguez-Delgado’s dedication to challenging viewers to confront climate change and a planet with an uncertain future. His installation for ICA North will feature both a new and an existing sculpture plus drawings that are sure to encompass Rodríguez-Delgado’s vision for the future.

His exhibit also runs from August 17th to December 29th.

ICA North invites guests to their C You Saturday! Opening Reception on August 17th.

2024 Educational Programs & Workshops

ICA North allows students to channel their inspiration into classes that range from painting to ceramics. From beginners to advanced artists, all are welcome to these classes taught by local artists.

Ceramics Classes for Kids and Adults

These immersive experiences guide students as they turn clay into unique pieces of art. Each session runs for six weeks in order for students to fully immerse and challenge themselves while learning in a stress-free environment.

Ceramics Lab Membership

As part of the Ceramics Lab Membership, students not only have access to ICA North’s lab in order to put into practice the techniques they have learned; they also have access to property in order to hike through the gardens and Sculpture Trail.

4-Day Nerikomi Workshop - Coming Soon

ICA invites students to learn the techniques that will allow them to work with colored clay patterns and gold luster.

Give It a Spin!

Learn how to throw clay, use a wheel, alter shapes, and more. It’s the first step to gain hands-on experience.

The perfect introduction to ICA’s classes before committing to more in-depth workshops. Great for friend groups and couples.

Art Summer Camp

Calling all young artists! This six-week camp turns current art trends into classes that inspire creativity and promote mental health.

Students will also spend plenty of time outdoors hiking along the nature preserve and the above mentioned Sculpture Trail.

Registration opens March 4th for children 5-17.

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Know Before You Go

Both The Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego North and The Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego Central are free to the public, with an optional suggested donation. There’s still more to do in the San Diego Area.

Get a Go City San Diego Pass

An All Access Go City San Diego pass gives you access to over 50 attractions in the San Diego area at a discounted price.

Get your tickets in advance to activities that range from family friendly to perfect for groups to thrilling. You’ll have no waiting in line, no full price admissions, and no surprise extra fees at the door.

Visit family-friendly attractions like LEGOLAND California or make memories on a Harbor Cruise Tour. Use our exclusive discount code, GVSD5OFF, to get an additional discounted rate when purchasing passes for your entire family.

Where to Stay Near The Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego / North

Home is where the heart is. When on a vacation, however, we like to think home is where the suitcases and snacks are.

Whether you’re traveling to ICA North for the weekend or your visit is part of a longer one, there are plenty of amazing hotels to stay in.

L’Auberge Del Mar Resort and Spa

At the L’Auberge Del Mar Resort and Spa, your home away from home is by the sea. Located in the heart of Del Mar, guests can relax after a long day of inspiration in a poolside cabana.

Recently renovated, their elegant rooms feature a coastal or garden view. This award-winning luxury beach hotel is perfect for couples.

Leucadia Beach Inn

his family friendly beach hotel is in Encinitas, perfectly placed for your ICA North visit. This hacienda style hotel will have you feeling like you’ve stepped into the Southern California of a bygone era.

The Leucadia Beach Inn is located centrally between LA and Tijuana, allowing guests to access ICA North and attractions like the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, and LEGOLAND California easily.

The Cassara Carlsbad

Looking for a hotel that’s all about location, location, location? Look no further than The Cassara Carlsbad Tapestry Collection By Hilton.

This family friendly hotel features a pedestrian entrance to both LEGOLAND California and the SEA LIFE Aquarium. Now you can do more during your visit to San Diego without worrying about where to stay.

Pet friendly rooms are also available.

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort

The Park Hyatt Aviara Resort is the perfect mix of luxury and family friendly amenities.

Whether you’re looking forward to the18-hole championship golf course designed by Arnold Palmer, choosing between one of the 5 restaurants on location, or just wandering around the 250 lush acres of natural beauty, including the Batiquitos Lagoon, there’s something for every family to enjoy.