Point Loma is the jewel in San Diego’s seaside crown. The historic village offers locals and visitors community hubs filled with places to eat, play, and get to know your neighbors.
Whether you’re visiting San Diego or you plan to stay a while, a visit to one of the Point Loma neighborhoods is always worth your time.
Read on to discover Point Loma and our local’s guide to what you can do in the Point Loma neighborhoods.
Where is Point Loma
Point Loma is the peninsula that juts out from the northwestern edge of San Diego and separates the Pacific Ocean from the San Diego Bay. The area offers access to some of the cities best beaches and neighborhoods, and it offers a unique history.
Historians like to refer to Point Loma as the place “where California began.” It was the first west coast landing place of Spanish Explorers. On September 28, 5142, Juan Cabrillo took shelter on the eastern side of Point Loma after sailing from Mexico.
Naturally, Cabrillo didn’t discover California. The Kumeyaay people had lived and thrived in the San Diego area long before the Spanish arrived in North America. Still, Point Loma was the first point of contact with Europeans. Cabrillo’s expedition lives on today with the Cabrillo National Monument, located on the southern edge of the peninsula. From this lookout point, you’ll enjoy unobstructed views of the Pacific. You can see as far as the Coronado Islands in Mexico and even out to Catalina Island in the north.
Drive to the very end of the peninsula and you’ll find yourself at the most southwesterly point of the United States!
Point Loma Neighborhoods
Although it’s a small, surf-side community, Point Loma is home to several distinctive neighborhoods.
La Playa
La Playa is Point Loma’s bay-side neighborhood. This neighborhood is home to Shelter Island, which is where San Diegans go to head out on the town. If you’re looking for a hot new restaurant, hotel, or entertainment venue, then you’ll find it in La Playa.
Fleetridge
Roseville-Fleet Ridge is north of La Playa and is one of Point Loma’s historic neighborhoods. Fishermen first settled this village nearly a century ago, and for a while, it was its own municipality. The growth of San Diego swallowed it up, but the district continues to retain its historic charm.
Wooded Area
Wooded Area lies between La Playa and Sunset Cliffs. It’s primarily a residential neighborhood, and it’s also home to some of the nicest houses in the whole of Point Loma. The architecture of the area is matched only by the breathtaking ocean views, which are available in all directions.
Looking for new neighborhoods? Liberty Station is a newly constructed hub for living, eating, and playing. Loma Portal is another unique, historic neighborhood. Point Loma Heights lies in the center of all the best communities, giving you equal access to each of the best parts of Point Loma.
Everything There Is to Love About Point Loma
Point Loma is a paradise for those who love the amenities of a big city but don’t like the crowds. In each of the characterful Point Loma neighborhoods, you’ll find parks, trails, and water activities. Each area has an incredible list of places to eat, drink and shop.
We’ve put together our favorite places to eat, shop and play. Read on to discover a few of our favorite, local Point Loma activities!
Get Outdoors
The entire peninsula is an outdoor paradise with activities on both land and sea. For fun for the whole family, drive down to the Cabrillo National Monument, which offers hiking and history tours to suit all interests. Some of the points of interest in the park include the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, the army bunkers, and the Bayside and Coastal Tidepool Trails. You can also visit Sunset Cliffs Natural Park on the southwest edge of the peninsula. At this gorgeous, coastal park you’ll find trails, cliffs, caves, and plenty of places to relax and enjoy the unspoiled views.
Head back up the peninsula to La Playa, and you’ll discover Shelter Island, the village’s sea hub. The city’s best marinas are here, and any fishing or boating expeditions leave from these docks.
Shelter Island isn’t only for the adventurous. It’s also home to some of the best local bars and restaurants. Humphrey’s By the Bay, one of San Diego’s most famous concert venues, is also nearby.
Prefer to spend your free time with your feet on solid ground? Head down to the Loma Club, a century-old 9-hole golf course favorited more than a few professional golfers.
Go Shopping
You’ll find that San Diegans do their shopping by neighborhood. Californians and recent transplants looking for hippie chic clothing, jewelry, and homeware will find everything and more in the Ocean Beach neighborhood. Art lovers should visit Liberty Station for galleries and exhibitions. Liberty Station also puts on regular art events for those who enjoy the crowd and even those who’re just there for the free bubbles.
Dine Out
There’s no shortage of fantastic places to eat in Point Loma. You’ll find many of the restaurants clustered in Liberty Station or Shelter Island. If you’re going to enjoy one meal out in Point Loma – make it brunch. The area is home to some of the best brunch menus in the whole of San Diego, so don’t be afraid to make breakfast an all-day affair. Like the rest of San Diego, Point Loma also boasts some of the best Cali-Mex food in the state – and the country. Mike’s Taco Club (5060 Newport Ave) is one of the best in town.
For seafood, head to Point Loma Seafoods (2805 Emerson St). Situated along the bayside, it’s both a fish and chip stand and seafood market. If it’s on your plate, then it was freshly caught that morning. It may sound simple, but you don’t need much when you’re enjoying the freshest catches of the day. Cafes-turned-community-spaces are a California specialty, and you’ll find these here, too. Visit the Lazy Hummingbird (4876 Santa Monica Ave) or Jungle Java (5047 Newport Ave) for a good cup of coffee and even better conversation.
A visit to any of these Point Loma neighborhoods is bound to put an exclamation point on your San Diego experience.
If you enjoyed this post, you may also want to read: “Top 5 Things to Do in Point Loma This Summer“.
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