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Ocean Beach Peninsula - Central Coastal San Diego

Surrounded by the waters of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay, the Point Loma peninsula is the breezy sentinel overlooking the gateway to America’s Finest City. This beautiful seaside community combines the charm of early San Diego with the flavor of a small town seaport.

Along with its neighboring community of Ocean Beach, Point Loma has remained a haven for those seeking the sun, surf, and sailing that is quintessentially Southern California.

Point Loma's hilly coastal terrain boasts some of the best panoramas in the San Diego region. On the sunsplashed western side of the peninsula, Sunset Cliffs and Point Loma Heights provide breathtaking seascapes. These sought after locations enjoy expansive vistas along the coast to Ocean Beach, Mission Bay, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla. Areas along the peninsula’s eastern shore enjoy jawdropping views of San Diego Bay, downtown, Coronado, and the horizons of old Mexico.

Whether it’s a romantic dinner for two or a gathering of good friends and family, Point Loma restaurants make dining a pleasurable experience. The freshest of seafood is complemented with scenic water views and seaport ambience.

Looking for a place to crash? Point Loma offers several options for overnight visits. From well known hotels and easy access lodges, to resort inns and dock marinas, the Peninsula provides conveniently located accommodations to suit any traveler’s needs.

The Spanish word for hill is loma. Point Loma is aptly named considering most of its topography consists of sloping hillside terrain. Blessed with views of ocean, bay, city, and mountains, the Peninsula is one of the Southland's most unique locations. The area's natural beauty and genteel neighborhoods make Point Loma a highly desired piece of San Diego real estate.

Point Loma’s locale is ideal. Centrally located and outside the mainstream traffic of greater San Diego, this portside community is just five minutes from downtown; and two minutes from the international airport at Lindbergh Field.

The Point Loma peninsula was at one time an island off the southern California coast. Fashioned by millions of years of erosion from the present day San Diego River, a land bridge was formed to create the peninsula we now enjoy.

Once inhabited by several tribes of indigenous cultures, Point Loma is the site of the first European landing along the west coast of the United States. It was in late September of 1542 that the Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, in the service of Spain, set upon Ballast Point -- in effect discovering California.

The Peninsula’s eastern shore welcomed ships from all over the world. Soon the area began to be settled by Spanish, then Mexican, then American citizens followed by international traders, whalers, and fishermen. Although present day downtown San Diego became the main port and business center of the city, Point Loma was one of the region’s most strategic and historically significant communities. Even today, it remains an integral connection to San Diego’s seafaring tradition.

Become your own explorer by visiting the Cabrillo National Monument which is part of the National Park Service. Or if you wish to learn more about early California, read about the Spanish Rule from the San Diego Historical Society.

A rugged peninsula, known for Cabrillo National Monument

The Cabrillo National Monument Foundation (CNMF) was formed in 1955 under the name of the Cabrillo Historical Association. The name of the organization was changed to the Cabrillo National Monument Foundation in 1997 to better describe the activities of the organization.

The mission of CNMF is to “To cooperate with the National Park Service in promotion of the historical, educational, interpretive and scientific activities of the National Park Service and Cabrillo National Monument staff for the benefit and enjoyment of the public.” (Bylaws Article II Section 1.).

CNMF is a nonprofit IRS 501 organization and was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the state of California in 1956. CNMF operates the bookstore at Cabrillo National Monument. Profits are used to support special projects at the Monument. Since it’s formation nearly 50 years ago CNMF has provided over $1,500,000 to the National Park Service at Cabrillo National Monument.

CNMF has published numerous books and brochures which provide interpretive information about the history and resources of Cabrillo National Monument. CNMF is governed by a Board of Directors which serves on a volunteer basis.

The detailed history of CNMF from 1955 to 1988 has been chronicled in a CNMF publication entitiled “Cabrillo Historical Association: A History”.