Welcome to Point Loma
A historic beach community that feels like a small town
Point Loma is uniquely entwined with California’s origin. In 1542, Explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo landed on this peninsula that separates San Diego Bay from the Pacific Ocean. He was the first European to set foot in what eventually became California. The La Playa quarter of the neighborhood was the site of the first settlement and the city’s port until 1870. Charles Lindbergh conducted test flights with the Spirit of St. Louis from a dirt airstrip near today’s Midway Drive.
Though it is just minutes from downtown San Diego, Point Loma feels more like a suburb or even its own small town. It has a laid-back beach town vibe with plenty of mom-and-pop-style seafood restaurants like Point Loma Seafoods. Point Loma residents love boating and fishing and the peace and quiet that makes it feel like it is a world apart from bustling downtown San Diego. While Point Loma has some modest bungalows, the area is known for high-value real estate and luxury estates. There are also some historic homes, mostly in the California Craftsman or Spanish colonial style. Some homes offer private docks or access to the many marinas nearby. There are some new developments of luxury condominiums around Liberty Station as well. With good schools and easy access to downtown and the outdoors, it is one of San Diego’s most desirable neighborhoods.
What to Love
- Close to downtown but feels like a world apart
- Easy access to the bay with many marinas
- Great, fresh seafood
- Full of history
Local Lifestyle
Point Loma offers a suburban lifestyle in San Diego. Some of the freshest seafood in San Diego can be found in Point Loma, and the neighborhood has a relaxed and laid-back vibe. Boaters love Point Loma for its many marinas and yacht clubs. There are several commercial districts on the peninsula, all are quiet and uncrowded.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
The Liberty Public Market houses a variety of hip and specialty eateries and craft vendors. The adjacent Liberty Station waterfront village houses a variety of galleries, museums, shops, and cafes at the site of a formal naval base.
Things to Do
There are a variety of activities available to residents of Point Loma. The marinas and the San Diego Yacht Club offer great access to the water. Nearby Kellogg Beach is rarely crowded and has a view of the city and the Bay.
You can also visit the Cabrillo National Monument, where there are a number of hiking trails, tidal pools, and the historic Old Point Loma Lighthouse. Higher up the peninsula, you’ll find the Sunset Cliffs with the most stunning sunsets in all of California. It’s also a great spot for surfing.
Humphrey’s Concerts is a favorite long-running concert venue located right on the bay. The community also hosts a summer concert series. There is an annual parade for the Portuguese Feast of the Holy Spirit in May. Some of the most elaborate Christmas decorations in San Diego are in Point Loma along Garrison Street and are lit every year on Thanksgiving.
Schools
