A breathtaking natural harbor on the West Coast, San Diego Bay comprises three distinct islands – Harbor Island, Shelter Island and Coronado. Visitors to these spots can find sensational restaurants, a variety of hotel and resort accommodations that showcase their spectacular bayfront setting, fabulous outdoor shopping and picturesque parks and marinas from which sport fishing excursions, whale watching tours and harbor cruises depart.

The following passport to the islands of San Diego Bay provides popular places to dine, explore and spend the night.

HARBOR ISLAND

Located across from San Diego International Airport, Harbor Island packs a lot into its two miles of real estate. Large hotels, marinas and several restaurants call the island home.

Restaurants on the island boast menus as impressive as the views of San Diego Bay, Coronado and the downtown skyline:

• Set on stilts overlooking the bay, Island Prime/C Level Lounge features high-quality seafood and steaks prepared by celebrated chef Deborah Scott, plus an extensive wine list.
• The newly renovated landmark Tom Ham's Lighthouse, featuring a fully functioning lighthouse, celebrates 50 years on the island with superb seafood, American classics like steak, duck and chicken, and one of San Diego’s most popular Sunday brunches.
• During the past 30 years, the Boathouse Restaurant has built a reputation as one of San Diego’s premier seafood restaurants, which also serves steaks, pastas, and locally grown produce.

Harbor Island has two major hotels convenient to the San Diego International Airport for overnight stays:

• The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina features two high-rise towers with 1,053 guestrooms and suites overlooking the bay, three swimming pools, tennis courts, a spa, jogging trails, scheduled family activities, water sports and more. Guests can ride the Sheraton’s new Bayfront Shuttle to nearby waterfront attractions including the Maritime Museum, Broadway/Navy Pier by the USS Midway and Seaport Village. Cost is only $1 per passenger.
• Hilton San Diego Airport-Harbor Island features 211 guestrooms, a swimming pool, sauna, 24-hour fitness center, the Sierra Pacific Restaurant and Lounge and a complimentary airport shuttle.

Additionally, Harbor Island welcomes walkers, joggers, skaters and bicyclists to its shoreline paths to enjoy sweeping views of the bay. Several grassy areas provide ample picnic opportunities.

SHELTER ISLAND

A nautical and Polynesian-themed atmosphere prevails on Shelter Island, “San Diego’s Hawaiian isle” where marinas, resort hotels, restaurants and bayside parks welcome visitors.

Standout restaurants on Shelter Island include:

• Bali Hai Restaurant is a tiki-inspired landmark featuring Polynesian cuisine, famous Mai Tais, authentic South Pacific art and décor and phenomenal floor-to-ceiling views of the bay and beyond.
• The new Vessel Restaurant in the Kona Kai Resort offers New American cuisine expertly prepared by Executive Chef Roy Hendrickson, served in a chic and casual beach-inspired atmosphere.
• Fathom Bistro on the Shelter Island Pier is San Diego’s only tap house directly over the water, featuring 15 beers on tap, many of them local. Fathom is also known for its menu of house-made sausages, gourmet hot dogs like the World Famous Fathom Explodo Dog, kimchi pulled pork sandwich and the Fathom Burger.

Shelter Island’s major hotels all feature beautiful bay or marina views:

• The newly renovated Kona Kai Resort is a bayside oasis featuring 129 guestrooms, a private sandy beach with beverage service – San Diego’s only non-membership private beach – a swimming pool with Dive-In Movie nights, kayak, paddleboard, bicycle and Segway rentals, Spa Terre and new summer Music on the Marina series.
• Accented with swaying palms, lush gardens and waterfalls, Humphrey's Half Moon Inn & Suites is a tropical retreat featuring 182 guestrooms, Humphrey's Restaurant and nightly entertainment at BackStage Live Music Club. Humphrey’s is also home to Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay, which attracts nationally known musicians and comedians.
• Bayclub Hotel & Marina features a fresh nautical style, 105 guestrooms with bay and marina views, patio dining at the Quarterdeck Restaurant & Bar and a swimming pool.
• Enveloped by lush landscaping, the Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina features 227 guestrooms and suites, two swimming pools, the waterfront Blue Wave Bar & Grill serving tropically-inspired dishes and two tennis courts.

Shelter Island takes full advantage of its postcard setting with grassy parks, playgrounds, bike paths and fascinating public artworks, including the giant seashell-like Pacific Portal sculpture by artist James Hubbel, referred to locally as “San Diego’s Gaudi,” and the Yokohama Friendship Bell, housed in a pagoda structure, that was a gift from San Diego’s sister city of Yokohama, Japan.

For adventure seekers, harbor and whale watching excursions and sportfishing trips depart daily from Shelter Island-area marinas. Anglers can also cast their lines from the island’s public pier.

CORONADO

Located a bridge away from downtown San Diego, the “Crown City” of Coronado offers an enchanting island experience that has made it a popular vacation destination for more than a century. Pristine beaches, first-class accommodations, fine dining and abundant outdoor recreation activities can be found along the island’s bayside.

Coronado is home to two major resorts located on the shores of San Diego Bay:

• Situated on a private peninsula, Loews Coronado Bay Resort features 440 sea-inspired guestrooms and suites with panoramic bay views, award-winning global-fusion cuisine at Mistral Restaurant, Sea Spa, three swimming pools, tennis courts, an 80-slip marina with bike, wave runner, sailboat, motorboat and kayak rentals and romantic gondola rides. Guests can also discover the rare coastal treasures of nearby Silver Strand State Beach.  
• Coronado Island Marriott Resort features 300 guestrooms with beautiful views of the bay and San Diego skyline, three swimming pools, double-size hammocks, six tennis courts, Spa Coronado, Current restaurant serving California coastal cuisine and a private dock with water taxi service. Guests can also view a family of flamingos and small aviary on the resort grounds.

For shopping and dining in Coronado, nothing compares to the Coronado Ferry Landing, a popular outdoor retail village on the bay, featuring more than 25 unique shops and waterfront dining hotspots:

• The tropical-themed Peohe’s is popular for its Pacific Rim cuisine and large outdoor patio for al fresco bites.
• Candelas on the Bay specializes in Mexico City-style cuisine, featuring a warm and intimate dining room and two open-air terraces. 
• The elegant Il Fornaio features authentic, award-winning Italian cuisine and an inviting patio overlooking the bay.

Outdoor recreation activities abound on the scenic bayside of Coronado Island:

• For bicycle, kayak and standup paddleboard rentals, Bikes & Beyond and Bike & Kayak Tours-Coronado, featuring San Diego’s only urban kayak tour, are conveniently located at the Ferry Landing. Seaforth Boat Rentals are available from the Glorietta Bay Marina.
• Running from Coronado to downtown San Diego on the half-hour daily from the Ferry Landing pier, the Coronado Ferry is an affordable way to cruise the bay. The pier is also a prime spot for fishing and viewing the bustling waterfront.
• Beachgoers can sunbathe on two small sandy beaches at the Ferry Landing and nearby Tidelands Park, perfect for children to swim and play within the bay’s calm waters.  The bayfront Centennial Park, SDG&E Park and Shoreline Park are also great for soaking up the sun, picnicking, bicycling or flying a kite.
• Coronado Municipal Golf Course, one of the finest public courses in Southern California, is a duffer’s dream. Golfers can enjoy stunning views of San Diego Bay, Glorietta Bay and the San Diego-Coronado Bridge while teeing off from the 72-par, 18-hole course.