Point Loma is a beautiful seaside community within the city of San Diego. With lots of hills, ocean views, great restaurants, parks and marinas—there is a TON to do and explore for families in Point Loma.
A little history on the name Point Loma: Loma is the Spanish word for hill. The original name of the peninsula was La Punta de la Loma de San Diego, translated as Hill Point of San Diego. This was later changed to Point Loma.
Hi! My name is Niki Jones, and I am a single mom to a beautiful 3-year-old daughter, Kaialani. We moved to Point Loma from Mission Valley just over 6 months ago, but as a San Diego resident I fell in love with Point Loma seven years ago and frequented this area for some time. Exploring it now as a mother, I feel like there is even MORE to do. It truly is a family-friendly community and I hope you will check out some of our favorite spots!
Liberty Station
2850 Womble Road, Suite 100-312, San Diego, CA 92106 | (619) 756 – 7992
You can’t visit Point Loma without checking out Liberty Station. It literally has it all! Some of my personal favorites: The LOT Movie Theater, and the Liberty Public Market: they also host a ton of family-friendly events and are a great place to host an event. It is also a great place to walk and is also home to NTC Park (more info below).
More about Liberty Station: Liberty Station is filled with a curated mix of artisans, makers and galleries, locally-based shops, restaurants, family-friendly entertainment, cultural activities and acres of public parks and open gardens where locals and visitors alike come to discover the true spirit of San Diego.
Quick Links
Parks | Acai Bowls | Brunch | Happy Hour | Things to do with Kids
Fitness | Seafood
Shelter Island Shoreline Park
South Of Shelter Island Dr
San Diego, CA 92106
This park is Kaia’s favorite. It has plenty of parking (normally), a great walking path along the water and ocean views beyond the park. This is also a perfect place for a BBQ or birthday party with lots of picnic tables. There is also a small beach if you walk further down.
Liberty Station NTC Park
2455 Cushing Rd, San Diego, CA 92106
This park is great for playing, running/walking or working out, dog friendly (on leash) and has a great playground for kids of all ages. It is fairly busy often, but we still love it. NTC Park is the premier Point Loma location for athletic leagues, charity events, office parties, graduation ceremonies, children’s birthday parties and much more. Permits are required for many events and can be obtained through the Cabrillo Recreation Center.
Other great parks in Point Loma:
Cabrillo National Monument – 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
Stately monument honoring Cabrillo, discoverer of San Diego Bay, is located in Point Loma that overlooks the city and the Bay.
Bill Cleator Community Park – Nimitz Blvd & Famosa Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92107
Multiple softball/baseball fields are the focus of this 15.3-acre city park surrounded by trees.
Plumosa Park – 3600 Plumosa Dr, San Diego, CA 92107
Occupying just 1.4 acres, this passive park offers a simple space for dog walking & kite flying.
Collier Neighborhood Park – 2351 Soto St, San Diego, CA 92107
Compact urban green space with grassy patches for picnic opportunities but no public restrooms.
Northside Shack
1255 Rosecrans St
Point Loma, CA 92106
This is hands down one of the BEST Acai Bowls in ALL of San Diego! They have a ton of fruit available and it is so fresh. They also have a great selection of juices too! About Northside Shack: A Community Oriented, Beverage Bar in Point Loma, Specializing in Custom Blends and Creative Bowls.
Better Buzz Coffee
1480 Rosecrans St
San Diego, CA 92106
When I don’t want to get out of the car to grab a Acai Bowl and am in need of a little coffee pick me up, Better Buzz has an excellent Acai Bowl (I also love their Avocado Toast too!) PLUS a drive through. About Better Buzz Coffee: Better Buzz Coffee Company® is committed to providing consistent quality coffee beverages in a FUN atmosphere, with efficient & friendly customer service.
Other Notable Acai Bowl Locations to Try:
Portside Coffee & Gelato 2614 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
Local Krave 3642 Midway Dr, San Diego, CA 92110
The Cliffs Cafe –1830 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, Ste D, San Diego, CA 92107
Fig Tree Cafe (Liberty Station)
2400 Historic Decatur Rd Suite 103
San Diego, CA 92106
Make sure to get their early or prepare to wait just a bit for a table. This place is always packed, but I will say in my experience the “wait” always goes quicker than they tell you. I love this place for many reasons – the food is incredible. I recommend the Breakfast Sushi or the Shrimp Fritatta – Kaia loves the strawberry pancakes. CLICK HERE to see their full menu.
Swami’s Cafe
3924 W Point Loma Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110
Every Sunday after church at The Rock, Kaia and I head over to Swami’s Cafe. I love that you can bring your dog on the patio, they have a self serve coffee station (heaven!) and I am a huge fan of their Acai Bowls, Avocado Toast and Omelettes. They also have great lunch food. A perk about this location (they have 11) is they have servers, most of the other locations are walk up / counter service. More about Swamis: We are a family owned restaurant and we are pleased to have some of the best food in San Diego, we are extremely helpful as well as prompt to make your dining experience special.
Other great Brunch Locations to Try:
Breakfast Republic (Liberty Station) – 2865 Sims Rd, Ste 106, San Diego, CA 92106
Banyan Kitchen SD (Liberty Station) – 2690 Historic Decatur Rd, barracks 19, San Diego, CA 92106
Ketch Grill and Taps – 2614 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego CA 92106
Brunch on Saturday & Sunday Only 9-3pm
Ketch Grill and Taps
2614 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego CA 92106
Happy Hour 3-5pm – $2 off draft beers and cocktails, $1 off wine and $2 off cold and hot bar food menus.
Ketch is a fairly new restaurant in Shelter Island that I fell in love with when I stumbled across it coming from the Shelter Island playground. They are right on the water so it has a beautiful outdoor dining area, friendly staff (say hi to Wayne!) and a great happy hour. More about Ketch Grill and Taps: A modern eatery specializing in locally sourced dishes, top quality meats, fresh seafood & beer-friendly fare.
Dirty Birds (Liberty Station)
2970 Truxton Rd, Ste 9, San Diego, CA 92106
Happy Hour 3-6pm – 1/2 off wings and select pitchers
If you are looking for a family friendly American “bar”, Dirty Birds has great bar food, an outdoor space for kids to play, a great line up of beer and well I love their wings! More about Dirty Birds: They are A Locally Owned Restaurant And Sports Bar, Proudly Serving Some Of The Best Wings In San Diego. Their menu offers a large sampling of crafted wing sauces, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and other treats.
More great Happy Hour spots:
Charles and Dinorah – 1410 Rosecrans St, San Diego, CA 92106
Happy Hour 4-6pm
Select wines are $6, premium drinks $5 and select beers are $4.
Bali Hai Restaurant – 2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego 92106
Happy Hour 3-5pm
Discounted appetizers and Mai Tai’s and beer and wine by the glass are a dollar off.
Slater’s 50/50 (Liberty Station) -2750 Dewey Rd, Ste 193, San Diego, CA 92106 | (619) 398-2600
Happy Hour – Mon – Fri: Open – 6pm & Sun – Fri: 10pm – Close
$5 Select cocktails, $5 House Wine, 1/2 OFF bottles of wine and discounted apps
Corvette Diner (Liberty Station)
2965 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA 92106 | (619) 542-1476
With games, fun and interactive servers and loud music, kids (and adults) are bound to have a great time! Just another reason we love Liberty Station. We love their burgers and shakes, sticking with the classics. About Corvette Diner: Rock n’ Roll, burgers and shakes rule at the Corvette Diner! A ’50s throw-back, with sassy waitresses in poodle skirts and bouffant hair-dos. It’s more than just a place to eat, it’s a destination.
Kid Ventures (Liberty Station)
2865 Sims Rd, San Diego, CA 92106 | (619) 573-9625
We hosted Kaia’s 3rd Birthday here at Kid Ventures, it is THE perfect spot for a Birthday Party. The venue is super clean, staff is friendly and it is a space created just for kids! They also offer a variety of childcare opportunities for families looking to enjoy all that Point Loma, Coastal San Diego and Liberty Station has to offer. Their preschool academy is a magical place where children fall in love with learning and parents can be a part of the experience. They also offer additional childcare services including seasonal camps, drop off childcare and our fabulously fun Kids Night Out events monthly.
More great things to do with kids:
Pachis Art Studio (Liberty Station) – 2820 Roosevelt Rd, Bldg 201, Ste 102, San Diego, CA 92106
Wee Gather– 3030 Canon St, San Diego, CA 92106 | (619) 841-1018
San Diego Gymnastics (Liberty Station) – 2751 Roosevelt Rd, Ste 105, San Diego, CA 92106 | (619) 255-4277
Recreational Music Center (Liberty Station) – 2590 Truxtun Rd, Studio 100, San Diego, CA 92106 | (619) 225-9597
Club Pilates Liberty Station
2750 Dewey Rd., Ste. 102, San Diego, CA 92106
I feel Pilates should be a “required” postpartum exercise regime. I have worked out at multiple Club Pilates locations in SD and Point Loma hands down has the best and most welcoming staff (although I don’t have anything bad to say about Club Pilates!) About Club Pilates Liberty Station: They offer more than just low-impact, full-body workouts. With a range of class offerings that challenge your mind as well as your body, Club Pilates provides a path to a richer, more fulfilling life.
Mention SDMB for 10% OFF your first month and a free private lesson after 6 months of membership!
Point Loma Sports Club
2751 Roosevelt Rd., San Diego, CA 92106
If you are looking for a gym that offers really high quality amenities without the super luxurious / elite gym price or feel, PLSC is definitely a great option. I have been a member for a few weeks now, the staff and gym members are so kind and I honestly for the first time in a long time, don’t feel judged at the gym. They have incredible class options (spin, yoga, Pilates, kettle belle, cycle) and they have a Kids Club that is not over packed and stuffy. CLICK HERE to see a virtual tour of the gym.
MENTION SDMB for $100 OFF your enrollment fee and $6 OFF per month.
Other great Fitness suggestions:
If I Was a Bird Yoga Studio for Kids (Liberty Station) – 2590 Truxtun Rd. #204, Building 176, San Diego, CA 92104 | (858) 775-2913
Peninsula YMCA Family – 4390 Valeta St, San Diego, CA 92107
Orange Theory Fitness – 3980 W Point Loma Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110
Core Power Yoga – 3555 Rosecrans St #203, San Diego, CA 92110
YogaSix – 2850 Womble Rd Suite 101, San Diego, CA 92106
Spark Cycle – 2835 Perry Rd, San Diego, CA 92106 | (619) 501-2502
Mitch’s Seafood
1403 Scott St, San Diego, CA 92106
Mitch’s Seafood was established in 2008 by three families with a long history of fishing in the Point Loma area of San Diego. They specialize in fresh seafood from the waters off San Diego. They are located on San Diego’s working waterfront with a view of the fishing fleet, and we focus on simply prepared, California style seafood and craft beer & wine from San Diego and California.
Point Loma Fish Shop
1110 Rosecrans St, Ste 100
San Diego, CA 92106
I have been a fan of the Fish Shop (PB) since I moved here about 8 years ago. So I was thrilled to learn they opened one in Point Loma. I love their Fish Shop Shrimp, Mahi Taco with the Fish Shop seasoning and the Ahi Poke are my go-to’s! About Point Loma Fish Shop: The Fish Shop first dropped anchor in Pacific Beach in 2010 and in Encinitas in 2015. Since then, we’ve built a reputation for providing our customers with the freshest seafood, complemented with outstanding service in a relaxed atmosphere that is both family- and dog-friendly.
Other great Seafood suggestions:
Point Loma Seafoods – 2805 Emerson St, San Diego, CA 92106 at Scott St |
(619) 223-1109
Wicked Main Lobster (Liberty Station) – 2820 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA 92106 | (619) 888-2620
