The cragged peninsula jutting out to form the upper boundary of the San Diego Bay, Point Loma runs parallel to Coronado and the Silver Strand portions of the city. Among the hilly terrain, a small seaside community with charming suburban vibes rests like a sheltered diamond along the coast. Close enough to downtown to enjoy the trappings of city living, Point Loma residents have the best of California at their disposal: metropolitan entertainment, beach living, and abundant nature preserves for outdoor recreation.

 

While the southern part of Point Loma consists of parks and military spaces — the peninsula is adjacent to the North Island Air Station — the northern section is composed of tidy residential streets. Historically, Point Loma is known as “where California began” and was the first landing site for European explorers in 1592. 

 

There are a number of distinctive neighborhoods contained within Point Loma, and the residential real estate varies greatly throughout. Architectural styles span throughout the centuries, and the area is a mixture of historic Mediterranean estates overlooking the bay, adorable mid-century Craftsman bungalows dotting arbored streets, lavish multimillion-dollar new-builds overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and everything in between.

 

 

Living in Point Loma means access to the quintessential aspects of Southern California. Beachgoers need only head to the western coast for dramatic bluffs and sugar-soft sand. Anglers and boat enthusiasts can find both at the many marinas of the bay. Nature-seekers are surrounded by preserves, and those searching for a bustling nightlife are minutes from downtown.

 

Liberty Station is the place to be in Point Loma, and it serves as one of San Diego’s liveliest hubs for entertainment, both cultural and commercial. Along manicured streets and swaying palm trees, wafting aromas from the myriad of eateries beckon to the foodie in everyone, while show-stopping works of local art draw the eye in every direction. 

 

Head south of Liberty Station to America’s Cup Harbor for sumptuous fare at Point Loma Seafoods. This casual hotspot is a purveyor of the town’s freshest catches, prepared immaculately and served with a side of gorgeous bay views. Just down the street, the invigorating flavors of Bali Hai await. Polynesian cuisine is the star of the show at Bali Hai, second only to the legendary Mai Tai drinks. 

 

An icon of Point Loma, Tom Ham’s Lighthouse is a revered eatery with a full menu of seafood and California-inspired meals set inside a landmark building. As the name suggests, Tom Ham’s does feature a fully-functioning lighthouse. This and its immaculate vistas have established Tom Ham’s Lighthouse as a popular wedding and event venue, as well.

 

Point Loma is a historian’s daydream, and not just for its status as the state’s first European landing point all the way back in the 1500s, though that certainly helps. To memorialize the landing of the first settler, Juan RodrÍguez Cabrillo, the verdant slice of land at the tip of the peninsula was established as the Cabrillo National Monument. 

 

Along with an array of natural resources to explore, the park houses the historic Old Point Loma Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1855 upon California’s entrance to statehood, and after years of service, was restored and converted into a museum. Also, in the area, the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery serves to commemorate and pay homage to the lives lost by military servicemen and women. 

 

More than just its history, Point Loma is a place to embrace the simple pleasures of life, too. Get out onto the waters and spend your time adventuring aboard vessels of the famous Point Loma Sportfishing group. To truly keep things simple yet radiant, take a blanket and find the perfect picnic spot among the sands and cliffs of Sunset Cliffs Park. Those who favor community events will adore the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. This annual Christmastime festival involves boaters lighting up the bay with ornate displays, which draw in over 100,000 spectators.

 

Point Loma is home to several excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include: