Point Loma, Harbor Island & Shelter Island

A Neighborhood of Dramatic Contrasts.

West of downtown San Diego, you'll find Point Loma, Harbor Island and Shelter Island, all of which offer great restaurants and a variety of accommodations. These areas feature picturesque marinas from which sportfishing excusions, whale watching tours and harbor cruises depart. A peninsula jutting into the sea, it's easy to think of Point Loma as a dead end - "land's end" in fact. But, as the site where San Diego was discovered in the first place, it seems more appropriate to consider Point Loma as a starting point - the start of a new land, a new dream, a new way of looking at things. And that's just the place to start your own exploration of San Diego, with a voyage around Point Loma, Harbor Island and Shelter Island.

Point Loma

Point Loma encompasses at least five distinct districts. Up on The Point are beautiful, multi-million dollar mansions. Down by The Midway you'll find seedy strip shows and Kobey's Swap Meet, the city's largest weekend swap meet. On the Ocean Beach side, surf pounds the rugged coastline, while The Harbor side is a safe haven for yachts. Point Loma's fifth district is Liberty Station, the waterfront urban village in the redeveloped Naval Training Center that includes hotels, restaurants, shops, a waterfront park, the historic Sail Ho Golf Course and the NTC Promenade, home to over 48 museums, galleries, artist and design studios, dance companies and other organizations that showcase San Diego's creative community.

Point Loma is known locally as an excellent spot for tide pooling, where low tide brings a magnificent reveal of the underwater reef, exposing flowery anemones, crabs and a myriad of other sea creatures to the delight of visitors and locals who frequent these pools. And don't miss a trip to the Cabrillo National Monument home of the Point Loma Lighthouse for a look back at San Diego's nautical history and stunning views of the bay and downtown skyline. If you're looking for great surf, locals frequent a number of quality surf breaks along the western edge of Point Loma.

Harbor Island

For a thin strip of land directly south of the airport, Harbor Island packs a lot into its two miles of real estate. Large hotels, marinas and several restaurants, including Island Prime and Tom Ham's Lighthouse, call this island home. A shoreline path complete with a steady ocean breeze keeps walkers, joggers, skaters and bikers cool while they enjoy panoramic views of the San Diego skyline, Coronado Island and the Big Bay. Several grassy areas provide ample picnic opportunities. Harbor Island is also an ideal place to enjoy the city lights by night, firework shows on the 4th of July, the annual boat Parade of Lights in December and sailing races, such as the America's Cup, when they are taking place.

Shelter Island

A nautical atmosphere prevails on Shelter Island, one of San Diego's principal boating centers, where marinas, resort hotels, restaurants and bayside parks welcome sailors and landlubbers with recreational amenities. Many short and long-range sportfishing trips depart from here, catching a host of Pacific fish like Yellowtail, Albacore, Halibut, Dorado, Calico Bass and a variety of rock fish. Shelter Island is also home to Humphreys Half Moon Inn & Suites, and their summer Concerts By The Bay, which attract nationally known musicians and comedians. At the end of Shelter Island, you'll find the Yokohama Friendship Bell, a large bronze bell housed in a pagoda structure, that was a gift from the city of Yokohama, Japan in 1958 to commemorate the sister city relationship between San Diego and Yokohama.

Hotels in Point Loma, Harbor Island & Shelter Island

A selection of moderately priced hotels can be found on the eastern side of Point Loma, offering good proximity to downtown San Diego, beaches, Mission Bay and nearby attractions.  Shelter Island and Harbor Island feature several hotels to fit a wide range of budgets, as well as some of the most amazing views of the downtown skyline. Hotels on Harbor Island have the distinction of being waterfront and less than a mile from the airport.

Browse the hotel options below to find the perfect place to stay in Point Loma, Harbor Island or Shelter Island:

Point Loma, Harbor Island & Shelter Island Restaurants

The marinas and sportfishing boats on Shelter Island mean that fresh seafood is close at hand and likely to be on many of the menus in the area. From the upscale dining at Island Prime on Harbor Island and Humphreys Restaurant on Shelter Island to the family-friendly Point Loma Seafoods, you can dine with view of the harbor and San Diego skyline that rivels the fresh fish being served. If you’re looking for a seafood alternative, try Phil’s BBQ in Point Loma's Midway area. Children and adults alike will enjoy Corvette Diner. This 1950's diner famous for its Rock n' Roll vibe, burgers, shakes and sassy servers is just one of many restaurants located at historic Liberty Station on the old Naval Training Center in Point Loma.

Browse the listings and articles below to find fish fresh from the sea, among other types of cuisine in Point Loma, Harbor Island and Shelter Island.

Activities and Things to Do in Point Loma, Harbor Island & Shelter Island

There's something for everyone in Point Loma, Harbor Island and Shelter Island, from shops and restaurants to parks and marinas.

Five to Try in Point Loma, Harbor Island and Shelter Island:

1. Cabrillo National Monument
   Take "the high road" and ride out Catalina Boulevard to Cabrillo Memorial Drive. You'll pass through the Fort Rosecrans Military Reserve and National Cemetery with its orderly rows of grave markers commemorating soldiers lost in battle and sailors lost at sea. At the end of the road, on a promontory high above the water, three inspiring sights await you at the Cabrillo National Monument.
   
   • Cabrillo Monument, a simple statue honoring the momentous occasion in 1542 when European explorers discovered San Diego Harbor and set foot on the West Coast of what would later become the United States.
   • The historic, 150-year-old Point Loma Lighthouse that guided ships safely home from the sea.
   • The spectacular 360 degree view might just be the most worthwhile reason to make the trip to the tip. To the north, miles of white, sandy, San Diego beach. To the west, open ocean stretching to the horizon. To the east, sailboats racing in the protected waters of San Diego Bay. To the south, the Downtown San Diego skyline, Coronado Island and Mexico beyond.
2. Sportfishing
   Embark on a ½ day, ¾ day, twilight or 5 or 10-day long-range sportfishing trip with H&M Landing, Fisherman's Landing, Point Loma Sportfishing or any of a dozen other private charter operations. The catch can include a host of Pacific fish like Yellowtail, Albacore, Halibut, Dorado, Calico Bass and a variety of rock fish.


3. NTC at Liberty Station
   Visit a museum or art gallery, or take in a dance performance at NTC, a 28-acre civic, arts and cultural district located at Liberty Station, the redeveloped Naval Training Center. The NTC encompasses many of the historic naval buildings and throughout the area historic displays pay homage to the buildings' original use. The history of the NTC and Point Loma can be found at the command center building. While there, be sure to see the adjacent rose garden, which was planted by the wife of an early base commander.


4. Whale Watching
   From December through March, watch pods of California gray whales travel south in winter from cold Alaskan waters to the warmer waters of Baja California to bear their young and then reverse their journey in spring. Take a whale watching cruise to view these gentle giants close up, or watch them from land in a glass-enclosed platform at Cabrillo National Monument.


5. Kobey's Swap Meet
   San Diego's biggest outdoor market is a discount lovers paradise, with nearly 1,000 sellers weekly and close to 25,000 shoppers.

Events in Point Loma, Harbor Island & Shelter Island

Harbor Island and Shelter Island offer an ideal spot to watch events taking place on San Diego Bay, such as the parade of tall ships during the Festival of Sail over Labor Day Weekend and the boat Parade of Lights each December. On the first Friday of every month, Liberty Station, the waterfront urban village in the redeveloped Naval Training Center, opens its doors for Friday Night Liberty an evening of open artist studios, galleries and events.

Browse through the articles and listings below to help plan your next San Diego vacation.

Getting to Point Loma, Harbor Island & Shelter Island

Point Loma

From the North and East:
To go to the eastern part of Point Loma, take I-8 west, exit on Rosecrans St.
To go to the western part of Point Loma, take I-8 west, which turns into Sunset Cliffs Blvd.

From the South:
Take I-5 north to Hawthorn St. exit toward the airport, turn right onto N. Harbor Dr. Continue until Rosecrans St. and turn left.

Harbor Island

From the North:
Take I-5 north to Sassafras St. exit toward the airport. Turn right onto W. Laurel St. Turn right onto N. Harbor Dr. Continue until Harbor Island Dr. and turn left.

From the South:
Take I-5 north to Hawthorn St. exit toward the airport. Turn right onto N. Harbor Dr. Continue until Harbor Island Dr. and turn left.

Shelter Island

From the North and East:
Take I-8 west to Rosecrans St. exit and follow Rosecrans St. for about 2.5 miles. Turn left on Shelter Island Dr.

From the South:
Take I-5 north to Hawthorn St. exit toward the airport. Turn right onto N. Harbor Dr. Continue until Rosecrans St. and turn left. Turn left on Shelter Island Dr.