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Looking for coastal living in San Diego without sacrificing the convenience of urban living? Point Loma is a picturesque neighborhood known for its stunning views, rich history, and endless options for recreation. It’s one of the best neighborhoods in San Diego if you want to live near the beach, with many subdivisions and small communities to choose from.
Here's what living in Point Loma San Diego is really like and everything you have to look forward to!
Table of Contents
Where Is Point Loma? – Where the Pacific Ocean, San Diego Bay & San Diego River Meet
Point Loma San Diego is a picturesque neighborhood located on a peninsula that separates the Pacific Ocean to the south and west from San Diego Bay and the Old Town neighborhood to the east. To its south lies the grand entrance to the bay, a strategic location that includes the Cabrillo National Monument. To the north is the San Diego River which flows out to the ocean.
Point Loma is on the west side of the city and just west of downtown San Diego across the water from the Coronado Naval Air Station.
The Point Loma peninsula extends into the ocean, curving slightly inward to form a natural harbor that has been pivotal to San Diego’s history and development. The Point Loma peninsula and the Silver Strand / Coronado peninsula together create the San Diego Bay and separate it from the ocean.
Point Loma San Diego Map
Point Loma History
Originally inhabited by the Kumeyaay people, Point Loma peninsula was the landing place of the first European expedition to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States. Led by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542, it marked a significant moment in history, laying the groundwork for future exploration and settlements.
Over the centuries, the Point Loma area evolved from a remote peninsula into a key military base, especially during World Wars I and II. The area was called Fort Rosecrans and used by the military beginning in the mid-19th century. The former Naval Training Center San Diego, closed in 1997, is now the site of Liberty Station, a mixed-use development with commercial, educational, and hotel districts and a residential neighborhood.
Today, Point Loma is home to two major military bases, San Diego International Airport, and two historic sites: the Cabrillo National Monument and Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. This area serves not only as a historical landmark but also as a beautiful reminder of San Diego's rich cultural and military past.
You can visit the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park to learn more about the history of the Point Loma Peninsula.
Point Loma CA offers residents the perfect blend of scenic beauty, historical significance, and Southern California living. While living in Point Loma, you'll love waking up to the sweeping views of the downtown San Diego skyline, complemented by the tranquil setting of the surrounding open ocean and bay.
The idyllic Point Loma area offers a mix of established residential subdivisions with tree-lined streets, urban areas with dining and recreation, and exclusive waterfront communities with beautiful estates.
Point Loma is a close-knit community with tons of recreational activities, particularly hiking, fishing, sailing, with picturesque beaches and tide pools to explore. Residents enjoy easy access to downtown San Diego and the airport which is on Point Loma peninsula.
Point Loma Neighborhoods
The San Diego Point Loma neighborhood is made up of several distinct neighborhoods, most of them residential single-family home communities. Here are just some of the most popular Point Loma neighborhoods:
Point Loma Village is the retail and commercial center with jacaranda tree-lined streets. It’s also a hotspot for sports fishing and yachting.
The Shelter Island San Diego neighborhood is connected to the Village by a causeway. Despite the name, Shelter Island isn’t an island; it’s a former sandbank that was developed in the 50s and is now home to parks, hotels, restaurants, and marinas. Shelter Island Marina is a popular destination for superyachts as one of the only marinas in the bay deep enough, and it hosts YachtFest every year.
Liberty Station is a mixed-use development with districts for culture and the arts, education, shopping, office space, and housing. It’s home to a nine-hole golf course and a large waterfront park.
Point Loma Heights is a mostly residential community with multi-family housing in the northern section and commercial areas. It’s divided into several subdivisions like Loma Alta and Loma Palisades.
Loma Portal is a hilly community overlooking the bay known for street lights in the middle of some intersections and streets named for authors.
La Playa is a bay side community and one of the most expensive neighborhoods in San Diego. Many bayfront Point Loma estates here have their own private piers.
Sunset Cliffs is an iconic community known for its sweeping views of the ocean above the sandstone cliffs.
Ocean Beach or O.B. is in the northwest section of Point Loma peninsula where the San Diego River meets the ocean. It’s often considered a separate neighborhood and known for the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier, leash-free Dog Beach, and local events like the Ocean Beach Street Fair.
The Midway District at the northern section of the peninsula is a mostly commercial and industrial area along the San Diego River, I-5, and I-8.
What to Do in Point Loma San Diego
Ready to explore the top Point Loma attractions? Here are just some of the best things to do in the area.
Cabrillo National Monument & the Old Point Loma Lighthouse
At the Cabrillo National Monument, visitors can step back in time and learn about the early discoveries that shaped the West Coast of the United States. The monument offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego's sprawling coastline, making it a perfect spot for sightseeing and photography.
Adjacent to the Cabrillo National Monument, the old Point Loma Lighthouse is another historic site that cannot be missed. Restored to its original condition, the lighthouse transports you to the life of a lighthouse keeper in the 1800s. It's an educational experience, offering insights into how lighthouses played a crucial role in maritime navigation.
Make sure you visit the national monument at low tide to explore tide pools below the cliffs!
The Ocean Beach Pier is one of Point Loma's must-visit attractions, especially for beach lovers. The pier extends gracefully into the Pacific, providing a serene walkway for fishing, strolling, or simply soaking in the panoramic views of the ocean. Below the pier, the tide pools emerge at low tide, uncovering a hidden world of marine life.
Sunset Cliffs is one of San Diego’s most picturesque natural parks. The 68-acre hillside park includes dramatic sandstone cliffs stretching along the peninsula for panoramic ocean views and the occasional sighting of California gray whales.
This daily marketplace in a former Navy building is part of the new Liberty Station development. The Liberty Public Market is a bustling destination packed with specialty foods, vendors, bars, and eateries!
Mitch’s Seafood at the Fisherman’s Landing marina is one of the highest-rated seafood restaurants in Point Loma! Enjoy locally caught fish and fantastic harbor views. Fig Tree Cafe in Liberty Station is a great spot for breakfast or cocktails. Humphreys SoCal Dining & Music is one of the top Shelter Island things to do with live music and amazing California cuisine.
Most shopping destinations are in the Midway District and Loma Portal areas. Loma Square is anchored by an organic grocery store with casual restaurants and a few chain stores. Another major mall is Sports Arena Shopping Center. On weekends, the Kobe Swap Meet is held here.
Living in the Point Loma neighborhood means the peninsula’s fantastic beaches and bays are always at your fingertips. While there aren’t sandy beaches or swimming here, you’ll love exploring the tide pools at low tide at the Cabrillo National Monument and the Ocean Beach Pier. Take in the views at the Sunset Cliffs, or head to Ocean Beach for surfing. Sport fishing and whale watching are great excuses to get out on the water!
Point Loma Schools
After moving to Point Loma, you will be served by Point Loma Cluster Schools within the San Diego Unified School District. The Cluster serves about 6,400 students in nine schools:
Cabrillo Elementary (K-4)
Loma Portal Elementary (K-4)
Silver Gate Elementary (K-4)
Sunset View Elementary (K-4)
Ocean Beach Elementary (K-4)
Dewey Elementary (K-4)
Dana Middle School (5-6)
Correia Middle School (7-8)
Point Loma High School (9-12)
Point Loma High School is one of the top ten high schools in the San Diego Unified School District.
The Point Loma area is also served by Point Loma Nazarene University, a Christian liberal arts college with about 3,500 students.
Here are year-to-date Point Loma crime statistics and the number of offenses by neighborhood during the first three months of 2024.
Point Loma, San Diego Crime (as of April 25, 2024)
Neighborhood
Crimes Against Persons
Crimes Against Property
Crimes Against Society
YTD
Q1 2024
YTD
Q1 2024
YTD
Q1 2024
Midway District
95
71
407
292
251
193
Ocean Beach
79
59
101
67
99
73
Point Loma Heights
39
31
141
92
43
32
Roseville
16
15
45
31
11
9
Loma Portal
4
2
31
24
10
9
La Playa
2
2
9
5
1
1
Sunset Cliffs
0
0
26
15
2
1
Wooded Area
0
0
15
11
2
2
Point Loma Real Estate – Rentals & Point Loma Homes for Sale
Point Loma housing includes a diverse range of apartments, condos, modest single-family homes, and large estates. The median price of Point Loma homes for sale is $1.3 million. Sunset Cliffs is the most expensive neighborhood for buyers, with a median sale price of $2.9 million. Two other neighborhoods have median prices over $1 million: Roseville ($1.34 million) and La Playa ($1.575 million).
Loma Portal is the best place to live in Point Loma if you’re looking for affordable home prices. The median home price is $693,000 or $655 per square foot. In Point Loma Heights, you’ll pay a median $882,500.
Planning to rent after moving to Point Loma San Diego? Average rent ranges from $2,400 to $2,925 depending on the neighborhood according to Rentcafe. The Midway District has average rent on the high end of this range which is almost the same as the San Diego average rent of $2,935. In Loma Portal and Point Loma Heights, you’ll pay an average of $2,650.
The desirable Sunset Cliffs and Ocean Beach communities have average rent of $2,555. The most affordable neighborhoods for renters are Roseville and La Playa at $2,400 per month.
Ready to enjoy Point Loma living year-round? The 5-star Point Loma movers at Republic Moving & Storage are standing by to deliver the top-notch customer service and stress-free moving experience you deserve. Give us a call today at (619) 591-0079 to get started with a free moving quote!
Bill Lovejoy
Bill Lovejoy is the president of Republic Moving and Storage. Purchasing the assets of Republic Relocations in May 2008. In 2008, Republic did $700K of business and today is over $15 Million. Republic was named AMSA’s 2010 Agent of the Year for Service Excellence after only two years in business.
Bill is proud that he grew up doing every facet of the business from a local mover, over the road driver, salesperson, operations manager, and general manager. (and just about everything else in between) Before purchasing Republic, Bill was with Bekins Moving and Storage where he served as a Senior Vice President and was a partner. He was responsible for three HHG companies as well as two logistics companies.
A proud Father of six children, and a lovely wife, Carol, Bill constantly works to keep a balance between work and family Life. Bills “stress relieving” hobbies include racket ball, basketball, tennis, and golf.
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