Best San Diego Surrogacy Agency | Why Families Choose Surrogate Alternatives, Inc.

What Truly Makes Surrogate Alternatives, Inc. Different From Other Surrogacy Agencies?

If you are searching for the best San Diego surrogacy agency or a trusted California surrogacy agency, you have likely noticed that many agencies sound the same. Most speak about compassion, experience, and support. Many list similar services.

So when intended parents and surrogates ask,
“What makes SAI different?” they are really asking a much deeper question:

Why should I trust you with one of the most important journeys of my life?

Here is our honest answer, based on how Surrogate Alternatives, Inc. actually works every single day.

A Pioneer San Diego Surrogacy Agency Since 1998

Surrogate Alternatives, Inc. has been helping create families since 1998. We are one of the longest-standing surrogacy agencies in San Diego and across California. With nearly three decades of continuous experience, our team has helped thousands of intended parents and welcomed more than 3,500 babies into the world.

In an industry where many agencies are still relatively new, this level of longevity matters. It means:

• Proven systems refined over decades

• Long-term relationships with fertility clinics and legal professionals

• First-hand experience navigating real-world challenges across decades of surrogacy journeys

Since the earliest days of modern surrogacy, Diana has led SAI through nearly every scenario imaginable, from evolving medical protocols to changing legal landscapes and the unexpected challenges that arise during real-life journeys. That depth of experience means that when complexities appear, our team is not reacting for the first time. We are recognizing patterns, anticipating outcomes, and guiding families with calm, steady clarity. Many of the most critical moments in surrogacy never appear on a checklist or timeline, but they are exactly where true experience matters most.

As a leading California surrogacy agency, our history allows families to move forward with confidence and clarity.

Built and Led by Leaders With Lived Surrogacy Experience

Many agencies say they understand surrogacy. At SAI, that understanding comes from lived experience.

Surrogate Alternatives, Inc. was founded and is still led by women who have personally walked the surrogacy journey. Several members of our team are former surrogates themselves and others have navigated the process as intended parents within their own families. That perspective shapes how we approach every match, every screening, and every conversation.

This lived experience allows us to:

• Protect surrogate health and well-being with greater insight

• Set realistic expectations for intended parents

• Identify emotional or practical challenges early

When families speak with our team, they are speaking with people who genuinely understand what this journey feels like.

No Paid Waiting Lists. Real Access From Day One.

One of the most common frustrations we hear from intended parents who come to SAI after starting elsewhere is this:

They enrolled with an agency, paid upfront, and then discovered they were placed on a waiting list that could last many months, sometimes close to a year, before even being considered for a match.

At Surrogate Alternatives, Inc., we intentionally operate differently.

At Surrogate Alternatives, Inc., intended parents are never charged simply to sit on a waiting list. In addition, we do not require payment just to view real surrogate profiles. As a result, families who come to SAI are able to see available, fully screened surrogate candidates upfront.

Why does this matter?

Because surrogacy is already emotionally and financially significant. Adding long paid waiting periods creates unnecessary stress, delays, and uncertainty during a time that already requires patience and resilience.

Our philosophy is simple:

• If you are ready to move forward, you should not be placed behind a paywall.

• If a surrogate is available, you should be able to see that clearly.

• If timing matters for your family, your agency should respect that.

This approach allows intended parents to move forward with clarity instead of anxiety.

A True Surrogate Community, Not Just Case Management

Support at SAI goes far beyond paperwork and appointments.

We foster a genuine surrogate community through surrogate retreats, in-person gatherings, and ongoing connection between surrogates and our team. Many of our surrogates build long-term relationships with one another through SAI.

We also provide 24/7 professional support so surrogates and intended parents are never left without guidance during critical moments.

For surrogates, this means you are valued as a person, not treated as a file.
For intended parents, it means your surrogate is emotionally and practically supported throughout the pregnancy.

Rigorous Screening That Puts Safety First

In a lightly regulated industry, the quality of screening is one of the most important protections for everyone involved.

As a trusted California surrogacy agency, SAI uses a multi-layered screening process that includes:

• Criminal background screening

• Extensive medical evaluations through fertility clinics

• Comprehensive psychological assessments

• Review of financial stability

• Prior healthy pregnancy and delivery history

We accept only about 30% of surrogate applicants into our program. We also work exclusively with gestational surrogates, meaning the surrogate has no genetic connection to the baby. This is considered best practice in modern surrogacy and significantly lowers legal and emotional risk.

Financial Transparency and Escrow Protection

Surrogacy represents one of the most significant financial investments many families will ever make. For that reason, we structure the process with care, clarity, and full accountability.

At Surrogate Alternatives, Inc.:

• Intended parents can view surrogate profiles at no cost

• Independent escrow companies typically hold the funds.

• Deposits are typically made in stages rather than all at once

• Licensed reproductive law attorneys oversee legal contracts

This protects both intended parents and surrogates while allowing families to plan responsibly.

A Trusted Partner for LGBTQ+ and Diverse Families

Surrogate Alternatives, Inc. proudly serves heterosexual couples, same-sex couples, single parents, and international families.

As a long-standing San Diego surrogacy agency, we actively build our program around inclusivity and strong legal protections for all family structures. LGBTQ+ families continue to choose SAI because our team provides the same transparency, respect, and legal clarity from the very first consultation.

Our Client Services Director, Luc, is also a former intended parent who personally completed a surrogacy journey as part of a same-sex couple. His lived experience brings an added level of understanding, advocacy, and care to every family we serve, particularly for LGBTQ+ intended parents navigating this process for the first time.

A Reputation Built on Real Families and Long-Term Relationships

SAI maintains long-standing relationships with fertility clinics throughout California and the United States. These partnerships exist because of consistent outcomes, ethical processes, and long-term reliability.

Across online reviews and clinic referrals, SAI is known for responsiveness, transparency, and deep personal care. Like any agency with decades of history, there are a range of experiences, but our continued growth and referrals reflect the trust we have earned.

How SAI Stands Out in a Competitive California Surrogacy Market

California is home to many reputable agencies. What makes SAI different is not one single feature, but the complete combination of leadership, ethics, and structure:

• Nearly 30 years of continuous operation

• Women-led with personal surrogacy experience

• No paid waiting lists

• No fees just to view surrogate profiles

• Strong surrogate community and retreats

• Rigorous medical, psychological, and legal screening

• Independent escrow and staged funding options

• Deep commitment to inclusive family building

This is why many families who initially look nationwide ultimately choose a San Diego-based agency like SAI.

Why Intended Parents Choose Surrogate Alternatives, Inc.

Intended parents choose SAI because they want:

• Faster access to actual surrogate candidates

• Transparent timelines and expectations

• Personalized matching instead of mass enrollment

• Full legal and financial integrity

• A team that treats their journey as personal, not transactional

Families come to us not simply for a service, but for a trusted partnership.

Why Surrogates Choose SAI

Surrogates choose SAI because they want:

• A leadership team that understands the journey personally

• Strong legal and medical protections

• Emotional support beyond basic case management

• A real community of fellow surrogates

• Honest communication and long-term respect

Many of our surrogates return for second and third journeys because of the relationships they build here.

Is Surrogate Alternatives, Inc. the Best Surrogacy Agency for You?

There is no single perfect agency for everyone. The right choice is the one that aligns with your values, your timeline, and your expectations.

At Surrogate Alternatives, Inc., what makes us different is simple:

• We are experienced.
• We are transparent.
• We are personally invested in every journey.

If you are searching for the best California surrogacy agency or the best San Diego surrogacy agency, we invite you to speak with our team and experience the difference for yourself.

FAQ from this Blog Post

What should I look for in the best San Diego surrogacy agency?

Look for experience, transparent screening, legal and escrow protection, real access to surrogate profiles, and strong surrogate support. A long operating history in California is also critical.

Is California a good state for surrogacy?

Yes. California is one of the most legally supportive states for surrogacy, offering clear parentage laws and strong protections for intended parents and surrogates.

How do I choose the best California surrogacy agency?

The best California surrogacy agency should offer ethical screening, no paid waiting lists, legal oversight, transparent financial practices, and open communication from the very first consultation.