San Diego sits at the intersection of world-class research universities, a thriving biotech corridor, and a famously temperate coastal climate — conditions that have helped the city cultivate one of the most sophisticated reproductive medicine ecosystems in the United States. Against that backdrop, San Diego Fertility Center (SDFC) has spent more than three decades building a reputation that extends well beyond Southern California. Founded in 1989, the practice has helped bring more than 20,000 babies into the world and earned a No. 1 ranking among California fertility clinics by Newsweek in 2024. Patients on Google currently rate the center 4.4 stars across 281-plus reviews, consistently praising the clinical expertise, inclusive culture, and attentiveness of the care team. SDFC operates four locations — Del Mar, Mission Valley, and Temecula in California, plus a New York City satellite office — making it one of the few independent fertility groups with a genuine bi-coastal footprint.
Physicians and Clinical Team
SDFC's physician roster of seven reproductive endocrinologists gives the practice unusual depth for a private fertility group, allowing patients to find a specialist whose focus aligns with their specific diagnosis.
Dr. L. Michael Kettel, MD is one of SDFC's founding-era physicians, having joined the center in 1996 after completing his reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) fellowship at the University of California, San Diego. He completed his OB/GYN residency at the University of Utah and graduated with honors from the University of Arizona. Before entering private practice, Dr. Kettel served on the academic faculty at UCSD and directed the institution's Infertility Services program.
Dr. Sandy Chuan, MD holds dual board certifications in reproductive endocrinology and infertility and has built a national profile around complex IVF cases and third-party reproduction. She was named America's Top Doctor from 2017 through 2019 and received the Top Doctor designation from the San Diego County Medical Society (featured in San Diego Magazine) in 2018.
Dr. Brooke Friedman, MD carries dual board certifications in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. San Diego Magazine has recognized her as a Top Fertility Doctor seven times — in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023 — a distinction voted on by peer physicians. Patients have separately honored her with a Patients' Choice Award and the Compassionate Doctor Recognition from Vitals.
Dr. Said Daneshmand, MD is internationally recognized for his expertise in third-party reproductive services, including surrogacy and egg donation. He co-developed the PTEC (post-thaw extended culture) IVF protocol, which has been cited as one of the most successful frozen-embryo transfer regimens available; his work was published in Fertility and Sterility, the flagship journal of reproductive medicine, where he also serves as a peer reviewer. Dr. Daneshmand sits on the boards of multiple surrogacy advocacy organizations.
Dr. Susanna J. Park, MD spent roughly a decade as a fertility physician at Columbia University in New York City before joining SDFC in 2012. Her academic background informs a patient-centered approach focused on individualized protocols and cutting-edge treatment options.
Dr. Valerie Flores, MD and Dr. Bryn Willson, MD round out the team, both bringing active research backgrounds to their clinical work. Dr. Flores translates reproductive science directly into treatment protocols, while Dr. Willson bridges scientific advances with compassionate, personalized care.
Services and Treatments
SDFC offers a comprehensive menu of assisted reproductive technology services across all four locations:
- IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) — conventional stimulation protocols with full embryology support
- Gentle IVF — a reduced-medication protocol designed for patients who prefer a lower-intensity approach, while maintaining the same specialist oversight
- IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) — timed insemination for appropriate candidates
- Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation) — elective fertility preservation for medical or personal reasons
- Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) — chromosomal screening of embryos prior to transfer; SDFC was the first San Diego clinic to offer PGT
- Egg Donation — fresh and frozen donor egg cycles with an in-house donor program
- Gestational Surrogacy — full surrogacy coordination including gestational carrier matching and legal support referrals
- LGBTQ+ Family Building — tailored pathways for same-sex couples, single parents by choice, and transgender patients
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) Evaluation and Treatment — diagnostic workup and targeted protocols for patients with multiple miscarriage history
- Male Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment — semen analysis, advanced sperm testing, and coordination with urology partners
- Fertility Consultations for International Patients — multilingual resources in Spanish, Chinese, French, and Korean
For patients exploring the full range of IVF treatment options, SDFC's Gentle IVF pathway is a notable differentiator that few practices offer as a formal, structured alternative.
Laboratory and Success Rates
SDFC's embryology laboratory holds accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP), placing it among a relatively small group of reproductive labs nationwide that have met the CAP's rigorous quality and safety benchmarks. CAP accreditation requires biennial unannounced on-site inspections and adherence to standardized protocols covering everything from equipment calibration to embryologist credentialing.
The center was the first clinic in San Diego County to offer preimplantation genetic testing, a distinction that speaks to the lab's early adoption of advanced technology. Dr. Daneshmand's PTEC protocol — developed and validated in part through SDFC's own clinical data — is now in use at the center as a standard approach for frozen embryo transfer cycles in appropriate patients.
SDFC participates in SART (Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology) data reporting. Prospective patients can review clinic-specific cycle outcomes through the CDC's annual Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) report, which publishes live-birth rates, transfer rates, and cycle volumes for every SART-reporting clinic in the country.
Patient Experience
With a 4.4-star Google rating built on more than 281 reviews, SDFC earns consistent marks in a few specific areas. Reviewers frequently cite the warmth and responsiveness of the nursing and coordination staff — particularly important during cycles when patients need timely answers about medication adjustments or monitoring results. The multilingual capabilities of the team (Spanish, Chinese, French, Korean) matter in a culturally diverse metro like San Diego, and the clinic's formal commitment to inclusivity is backed by data: 98% of patients surveyed reported that SDFC felt inclusive and accepting.
The four-location structure also earns appreciation. Patients in North County San Diego or Inland Southern California can access the Del Mar or Temecula offices rather than commuting to Mission Valley, and the NYC satellite clinic serves patients who need consultations or monitoring support on the East Coast during a cycle.
SDFC has been featured in major media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press, BBC, and Reuters, and was highlighted by Oprah — a breadth of coverage that reflects both scientific credibility and the human-interest appeal of its patient stories.
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 fertility insurance landscape changed significantly with the passage of SB 729, which took effect January 1, 2026. The law requires most large-group health insurance plans regulated under California law to cover a defined set of fertility treatments — including IVF — ending years of inconsistent coverage that left many California residents paying entirely out of pocket. Patients with employer-sponsored coverage through a California-regulated insurer should contact their benefits administrator to understand their SB 729-mandated benefits before beginning treatment at SDFC.
For patients whose plans are governed by federal ERISA law (most large self-insured employers), SB 729 does not apply, and out-of-pocket costs remain a significant planning consideration. SDFC works with patients to review insurance benefits and coordinates with major carriers. The practice also offers access to fertility-specific financing programs — patients are encouraged to speak with the financial counseling team at their initial consultation to map out a treatment budget, explore multi-cycle discount packages, and identify any lender-based financing options that may apply to their situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes San Diego Fertility Center different from other clinics? SDFC has operated continuously since 1989 and has one of the largest experienced physician teams in Southern California, with seven board-certified or board-eligible REI specialists. The CAP-accredited lab, the PTEC frozen-embryo protocol, and being the first San Diego clinic to offer preimplantation genetic testing all point to a culture of early adoption and rigorous quality standards. The 2024 Newsweek No. 1 California ranking and the 20,000+ babies delivered provide additional objective markers of long-term performance.
Does SDFC treat LGBTQ+ patients and single parents by choice? Yes. The center has formal programs for same-sex couples and single parents, using donor sperm, donor eggs, and gestational surrogacy as needed. The 98% patient-reported inclusivity score reflects a deliberate organizational commitment rather than a passive acceptance.
How does the Gentle IVF protocol differ from standard IVF? Gentle IVF uses lower doses of ovarian stimulation medications, which reduces side effects and injection frequency for many patients. It is particularly well-suited for patients who are sensitive to standard stimulation or who prefer a more conservative approach. Your physician will assess whether Gentle IVF is medically appropriate based on your ovarian reserve testing and personal history.
Where can I find SDFC's most current success rate data? SART-member clinics, including SDFC, are required to submit annual outcome data to both SART and the CDC. The most current published cycle statistics are available through the SART Clinic Summary Report tool, which allows you to filter by clinic, age group, and cycle type. Always compare clinics using the same patient age band and transfer type for an apples-to-apples comparison.
San Diego Fertility Center is one of the anchoring institutions in the region's reproductive medicine community. Patients evaluating their options can also browse our directory of fertility clinics in California to compare programs across the state, or review our comprehensive IVF guide to understand what a treatment cycle involves from start to finish.