San Diego County has a growing fertility clinic landscape, but few practices match the clinical depth offered at Southern California Fertility Center (SCFC). Located in La Jolla — the biomedical hub of greater San Diego — SCFC is a boutique practice built around a single founding physician whose credentials are nearly unmatched in reproductive medicine. For patients navigating infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, or complex genetic conditions, SCFC pairs deep expertise with the individualized attention that larger networks often struggle to deliver. If you are comparing fertility clinics in California, SCFC is a standout choice for anyone who wants to see the same doctor at every appointment.
Physicians and Clinical Team
Southern California Fertility Center was founded by — and centers on — Dr. Nastaran Foyouzi, MD, FACOG, FACMG, a triple board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and medical geneticist. That combination is extraordinarily rare: she holds certifications from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics, and is fellowship-trained in both reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and medical genetics. By the clinic's own reckoning, she is among only a small handful of physicians in the entire United States to hold all three boards.
Her training reflects the same selectivity. Dr. Foyouzi completed her internship at Yale, residency at Washington University in St. Louis, and two back-to-back fellowships — Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at UCSF, then Medical Genetics at UCLA. She has published in Fertility and Sterility, Human Reproduction, and Obstetrics & Gynecology, presents at ASRM annually, and holds committee positions with the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics.
Her recognition includes the Frontiers in Reproduction Award, the Charles A. Hunter Prize, and an NIH Travel Award. She is fluent in English and Farsi, broadening access for San Diego's diverse patient population.
Services and Treatments
SCFC offers a comprehensive range of fertility treatments, with a notable depth in genetic and specialized services that most single-physician practices do not offer:
- IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): Described as the "gold standard" in advanced fertility care, IVF is the clinic's core offering and is available with full genetic screening integration.
- IUI (Intrauterine Insemination): A lower-intervention first-line treatment for many diagnoses. Learn more in our IVF guide for a side-by-side comparison of IUI and IVF.
- Egg Freezing and Fertility Preservation: Available for elective preservation, as well as for patients facing cancer treatment (oncofertility).
- Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): Given Dr. Foyouzi's genetics background, PGT is a particularly strong competency here — offered for chromosomal abnormalities, inherited single-gene disorders, mitochondrial disease, and even HLA typing for patients conceiving a sibling donor for an existing child with a serious illness.
- Gender Selection and Family Balancing
- LGBTQ+ Fertility Services: The practice has built specific pathways for same-sex couples and single intended parents, and the clinic's inclusive definition of infertility aligns with California's newer insurance mandates.
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A specialized program drawing on Dr. Foyouzi's genetics training to diagnose and address underlying causes.
- Egg Donation and Surrogacy/Gestational Carrier Services
- Ovarian Rejuvenation and Tubal Ligation Reversal
- Military Fertility Care: Specific services for active-duty military families, with locations serving the Coronado and South Bay communities.
Laboratory and Success Rates
SCFC reports a 70% live birth rate and a 95% positive pregnancy rate, figures that reflect both Dr. Foyouzi's clinical approach and the quality of the embryology program. The clinic operates as a solo-physician practice with a high-touch model, meaning patient volume is deliberately kept at a level where quality is not sacrificed for scale.
The genetics integration is a distinguishing feature of the lab program. Because Dr. Foyouzi is board-certified in medical genetics, PGT protocols — including PGT-A (aneuploidy), PGT-M (monogenic disorders), and PGT-SR (structural rearrangements) — are interpreted by the same physician overseeing the IVF cycle. This continuity is particularly valuable for patients with known heritable conditions.
Patient Experience
SCFC carries a 5.0-star rating, and patient feedback consistently points to a few recurring themes. The solo-physician model means patients see Dr. Foyouzi — not a rotating roster of associates — at every monitoring visit, retrieval, and transfer. She personally calls with fertilization and embryo updates, something patients frequently single out as meaningful during an anxious process.
On Zocdoc, she holds a 5/5 rating with top marks for bedside manner and wait time. Patients describe her as calm under pressure and adept at translating complex genetic information into plain language. Saturday hours (10 AM to 2 PM) ease the scheduling burden for working patients — a practical touch that high-volume clinics rarely offer.
Considering At-Home Insemination?
Not every fertility journey begins in a clinic. At-home intracervical insemination (ICI) is a lower-cost, private option that suits patients with no known fertility diagnosis — including single parents by choice, same-sex couples, and people who want to try a few cycles before committing to clinical treatment.
At-home insemination kits like those from MakeAMom come with step-by-step instructions designed for donor or partner sperm. Kits are a one-time purchase that can be reused until conception succeeds, require no clinic visit, and arrive in plain, discreet packaging. Many patients use them as a first step while working toward a fertility consultation — or alongside ovulation tracking while they wait for an appointment slot.
If you have a known fertility diagnosis, have been trying for 12 months without success (six months if you're over 35), or your physician has already recommended IUI or IVF, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist is the right next step.
Insurance and Financing
California's SB 729, effective January 1, 2026, represents a significant shift for fertility patients in the state. The law requires fully insured large group health plans covering 101 or more employees to include coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment — including IVF, IUI, fertility medications, and monitoring. The law uses an inclusive definition of infertility that explicitly extends to LGBTQ+ individuals and single intended parents who require medical assistance to build a family.
Importantly, the law does not apply to self-funded employer plans (which are governed by federal ERISA rules, not state mandates) or to smaller groups. Patients should review their summary plan description or contact their HR department to determine whether their plan is subject to SB 729.
SCFC accepts a broad roster of major insurers including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross of California, Cigna, Health Net, MultiPlan, United Healthcare, Maven, and WIN Fertility. The clinic offers complimentary Verification of Benefits (VOB) to help patients understand their coverage before treatment begins.
For out-of-pocket costs, SCFC works with six financing partners: Avant, Carrot, CapexMD, Elsa Fertility, LeadingClub, and Resolve. This breadth of options gives patients flexibility across different credit profiles and treatment scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Southern California Fertility Center different from other San Diego fertility clinics? The defining difference is Dr. Foyouzi's dual expertise in reproductive endocrinology and medical genetics — a combination held by very few physicians in the U.S. Patients with genetic risk factors, recurrent pregnancy loss, or complex chromosomal issues benefit from having that expertise integrated into their IVF care rather than coordinated across multiple providers. The solo-physician model also ensures that the same doctor manages every stage of treatment.
Does SCFC treat LGBTQ+ patients and single parents? Yes. The practice has pathways for same-sex couples, single men and women, and anyone using donor gametes or a gestational carrier. This aligns with California SB 729's expanded infertility definition, which now covers LGBTQ+ individuals and single intended parents under qualifying large-group plans.
What genetic testing services are available through SCFC? The clinic offers PGT-A (aneuploidy), PGT-M (single-gene disorders), PGT-SR (structural rearrangements), and HLA typing for sibling-donor matching. Results are interpreted by Dr. Foyouzi directly, given her medical genetics board certification.
How do I get started as a new patient? Call (858) 260-3721 or request an appointment through the SCFC website. The La Jolla office is open Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 2 PM. Initial consultations typically include a full fertility evaluation and review of any prior records.