Vaccines and Vaqueros
2026-03-25 08:15 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Festival of Arts 650 Laguna Canyon Rd., 650 Laguna Canyon Rd, LAGUNA BEACH, CA, 92651, United States
Vaccines & Vaqueros — New Tour!
Salk Institute and Mission San Luis Rey
Wednesday March 25: 8:15 AM – 4:00 PM – $89/94
“A Modernist Masterpiece with the King of the Missions”

This tour pairs one of the world’s most famous modernist designs with the largest of the California Missions . The contrast is enormous – a world-famous scientific research facility with a 235-year-old historic landmark. The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, founded in 1960 by the developer of the polio vaccine, consistently ranks as a top 5 research facility focusing on healthy aging, cancer, immunobiology, neuroscience, and plant science. The stunning, brutalist architectural design by Louis Kahn is considered one of the world’s best examples of modernism and has won numerous awards from the American Institute of Architecture. The guided tour will highlight the collaborative spirit of the design with open laboratory spaces with no walls separating the labs on each floor.
Lunch will be on your own at the trendy Westfield University Town Center. With over 22 eateries, from sushi to cheese steaks, you’ll enjoy the lively atmosphere, and well-designed public space. This part of San Diego is fun to explore and has some really interesting architecture (and good food!).
Our next stop will be at the beautiful Mission San Luis Rey, an active Franciscan Missionand National Historic Landmark, in Oceanside. Here we will have lunch and tour the only California Mission whose large church is designed in the cruciform (cross) shape. With its intricate baroque facade, beautiful courtyards, excellent museum, period rooms, restored “lavanderia” (sunken, outdoor laundry), and historic cemetery, it’s no wonder that Mission San Luis Rey was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1970. The story of the Missions is fascinating, complex and often tragic.
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