Where can I donate blood in San Diego, and who's eligible?
San Diego Blood Bank runs donor centers across the county, including its Gateway headquarters near Mission Valley, open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. You need to be 17+, weigh 110 lbs, feel well and bring photo ID.
- Minimum age
- 17
- Minimum weight
- 110 lbs
- Open daily
- Gateway, East County
- Donor line
- 619-400-8251
7 a.m.–5 p.m.
The short version
- San Diego Blood Bank (part of Vitalant) supplies hospitals in San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange counties.
- Its Gateway headquarters at 3636 Gateway Center Ave. and East County center in El Cajon open 7 a.m.–5 p.m. every day.
- Donors must be at least 17, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and bring a photo ID with birthdate.
- Appointments are honored first, but walk-ins are welcome at every center.
- The blood bank says it helps up to 150,000 patients a year.
Most blood donated in San Diego goes through San Diego Blood Bank, a nonprofit that marked its 75th year in 2025 and now operates as part of Vitalant (also as Southern California Blood Bank). Donations stay with Southern California hospitals, including trauma centers and neonatal ICUs. The American Red Cross also holds drives locally.
| Donor center | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway (headquarters) | 3636 Gateway Center Ave., San Diego | Daily 7 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| East County | 776 Arnele Ave., El Cajon | Daily 7 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Sabre Springs | 12640 Sabre Springs Pkwy., Ste. 109 | Tue–Thu 9–5; Fri–Sat 8–4 |
| Clairemont Mesa | 3998 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Ste. A | Tue–Thu 9–5 |
| Carmel Valley | 3880 Valley Centre Dr., Ste. 209 | See schedule |
| Liberty Station | 2850 Womble Rd., Bldg. 30 | See schedule |
| North County | 358 W. El Norte Pkwy., Escondido | See schedule |
| Coastal | 1910 Via Centre, Vista | See schedule |
| Chula Vista | South Bay | See schedule |
Gateway (headquarters)
- Address
- 3636 Gateway Center Ave., San Diego
- Hours
- Daily 7 a.m.–5 p.m.
East County
- Address
- 776 Arnele Ave., El Cajon
- Hours
- Daily 7 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sabre Springs
- Address
- 12640 Sabre Springs Pkwy., Ste. 109
- Hours
- Tue–Thu 9–5; Fri–Sat 8–4
Clairemont Mesa
- Address
- 3998 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Ste. A
- Hours
- Tue–Thu 9–5
Carmel Valley
- Address
- 3880 Valley Centre Dr., Ste. 209
- Hours
- See schedule
Liberty Station
- Address
- 2850 Womble Rd., Bldg. 30
- Hours
- See schedule
North County
- Address
- 358 W. El Norte Pkwy., Escondido
- Hours
- See schedule
Coastal
- Address
- 1910 Via Centre, Vista
- Hours
- See schedule
Chula Vista
- Address
- South Bay
- Hours
- See schedule
San Diego Blood Bank donor-center pages, checked Nov. 8, 2026. Hours change; check before you go.
Can I donate?
- At least 17 years old.
- At least 110 pounds.
- In general good health, without cold or flu symptoms.
- A photo ID with your birthdate.
- Some medications, recent travel, tattoos and other factors can mean a waiting period; call 619-400-8251 if you're unsure.
Before and after
- 01
Book or walk in
Schedule online at the blood bank's donor portal. First-timers should pick a whole-blood appointment.
- 02
Eat and hydrate
Have a real meal and extra water beforehand; iron-rich foods help you pass the hemoglobin check.
- 03
Plan about an hour
Most of it is the health screening; the draw itself takes around 10 minutes.
- 04
Take it easy after
Skip heavy exercise for the rest of the day and keep drinking fluids.
1950
Founded
75th anniversary in 2025
150,000
Patients helped a year
Blood bank estimate
~650 pints
Padres summer drive
2026
Donor centers
Census geocoder, Nov. 8, 2026. Liberty Station pin is approximate.
Is this still right?
We last checked this tip against its sources on November 8, 2026, and we re-research every tip on a schedule. Things in San Diego change, sometimes overnight.
Bars, restaurants and hotels change owners, hours, menus and even team loyalties faster than anyone can keep up. Call ahead or check the place's own website or social accounts before you go.
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax, medical or safety advice.
KEEP READING
SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
- PrimaryDonor Centers
San Diego Blood Bank
Center list and addresses
San Diego Blood Bank
Hours for Gateway, East County, Clairemont Mesa; walk-ins welcome
- PrimaryCenters
San Diego Blood Bank
Sabre Springs hours; Liberty Station address
- PrimaryGateway Donor Center
San Diego Blood Bank
Age 17, 110 lbs, good health; open 7 days
San Diego Blood Bank · July 1, 2025
75 years; up to 150,000 patients a year
Patch · 2026
Padres partnership since 2017