COVID-19: Learn the precautions Scripps is taking for safe, in-person visits

Primary Care

Curbside arrival is available

Your safety, and that of our physicians and staff, is our top priority. Scripps now offers curbside arrival for most scheduled appointments at Scripps Clinic and Scripps Coastal Medical Center locations to keep you healthy and safe.

Find a primary care doctor in San Diego convenient for you

Dr. Rio Dickens- Celestin, Internal Meidicne, Scripps Clinic, smiling while talking to a patient.

Dr. Rio Dickens-Celestin, Internal Medicine, Scripps Clinic

Find a primary care doctor in San Diego convenient for you

Finding the Scripps primary care physician in San Diego who is right for you and your family has never been easier. We have hundreds of primary care physicians from internal medicine, family medicine and pediatrics. Plus, Scripps doctors accept a growing list of health plans and have locations throughout San Diego County.

Family medicine

Dr. Mark Shalauta examining a young patient.

Family medicine

Internal medicine

Dolly Doctor, MD, internal medicine physician at Scripps Coastal Medical Center in Encinitas talks with a patient.

Internal medicine

Pediatrics

Pediatrician Dr. Daniel Lichtmann makes mom and infant feel at home.

Pediatrics

Primary care at Scripps

Scripps primary care physicians provide comprehensive and compassionate care throughout San Diego County, focusing on preventive services. For your convenience, our doctors offer several options for ongoing care, including extended office hours and Video Visits. Walk-in, same-day care is available seven days a week for minor illnesses and injuries at 14 Scripps HealthExpress clinics and three urgent care centers. 


When you choose a Scripps primary care physician, you may also have access to nationally renowned specialty care and award-winning hospitals and programs. Ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report, Scripps offers personalized primary and specialty care. 

What is primary care?

Primary care physicians focus on preventive medicine and care for a wide range of conditions and diseases. If you need specialized care, your primary care doctor can refer you to a specialist and coordinate your care. 


Your relationship with your primary care physician is an important one that can span decades. Your primary care physician is the doctor you will visit for most medical needs, including routine screenings and annual check-ups, as well as non-emergency illnesses, such as ear infections and viruses. Primary care doctors also help manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. 


If you have an HMO or a managed health care plan, your primary care physician will be the doctor who refers you to a specialist, if needed. You will need to choose a primary care physician when you enroll in an HMO or managed health care plan.

Where can I get primary care at Scripps?

Scripps offers more care in more places, with primary care offices located throughout San Diego County from North County to South Bay. With multilingual physicians and staff at many locations, Scripps has the primary care physician who’s right for you. When you choose a Scripps primary care doctor, you also have access to nationally renowned specialist and hospital care. 


From Chula Vista and La Jolla to Encinitas and beyond, our extensive network includes:


Which medical groups have Scripps-affiliated primary care doctors?

Scripps offers hundreds of primary care physicians at locations throughout San Diego County. Some of these doctors have private offices conveniently located in your neighborhood. When you choose a doctor from our affiliated medical groups, you have access to a broad network of specialists.


You may choose a primary care physician from a wide array of locations and medical groups, including:



Learn more about Scripps Clinic and Scripps Coastal primary care and Scripps-affiliated primary care. 

Why is primary care important?

Choosing a primary care physician is an important first step in managing your health care. Family medicine physicians, internal medicine physicians and pediatricians are all considered primary care physicians, but there are some differences.



Your primary care physician acts as your personal physician and is usually the first doctor you see for any health problem. As the quarterback for your health care, they help you get and stay healthy and they’ll coordinate any specialty care you might need. If you’re considering an HMO or managed health care plan, you’ll need to choose a primary care physician as part of your enrollment.

How do I find a primary care physician?

To help you choose the best primary care physician for you and your family, check our Doctor Finder. Whether you’re looking for a physician who speaks a certain language or has specific expertise in nutrition, women’s health or sports medicine, our Doctor Finder can help.


The Doctor Finder tool can be used to search for a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant by name, specialty, hospital affiliation, gender, language and practice location. Many of our physicians have videos online to help you get to know them.


Find a doctor

What is curbside arrival?

Curbside arrival tells us when you’ve arrived and lets you wait in your vehicle until your exam room is ready. This service is available through the MyScripps mobile app for patients with scheduled appointments at our Scripps Clinic and Scripps Coastal outpatient locations. Learn more about how to use curbside arrival for your next appointment.

How can I get more help?

You can call our physician referral specialists at 800-727-4777 for more information about our doctors, services and classes.


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