Nestled along the coastline, Point Loma is a small residential neighborhood where there is a lot to do and see in just one day! It is about a 15 minute drive from Downtown, so it is the perfect place to spend the day if you are wanting to get away from the busyness of the city. If you are into cute shopping districts, local mom & pop cafes, and the most GORG beaches ever, stick around because here are some of the best things to do while spending a day in the lovely Point Loma:
Grab some brekkie to-go from Northside Shack
This is a small hole-in-the-wall spot to grab smoothies and acai bowls. For those of you who have never heard of “acai”, it is a Brazilian superfruit that has a ton of antioxidants. But also, it just tastes really good (hehe!) The way you order is super simple; first, you ask for an acai base, then you can choose from a variety of different fruits for toppings. Top it all off with hemp granola and agave- you’ll thank me later!
Wander around and sit outside of Pigment
If you are a plant-lover, you will loooove this place! Pigment is basically the boho version of a gift shop, with tons of succulents, geraniums, ferns– you name a plant, and they probably have it. There are also things like greeting cards, jewelry, women’s and baby clothes, and home decor. It’s just a really fun place to walk around, and look just for fun! They also have DIY gardening projects and activities to take home, due to COVID.
I will say though, it is impossible to leave the store without buying something, as everything here looks so tempting to get. There is also another location up in North Park, but this one, I believe, has more outdoor seating. So if you come here in the morning before they open, you could always sit around and enjoy the sunshine before it opens.
Visit the Cabrillo National Monument
After hanging out at Pigment, take a drive down to Cabrillo National Park. It is at the southernmost tip of Point Loma, and has the best views of San Diego. You may even be able to see Mexico 😉
Chill out in Ocean Beach
It’s technically not part of Point Loma, but Ocean Beach or as locals like to call it “OB” is a great spot to relax for an afternoon. You can sit and tan on the beach. There is also a pier that you could walk on, which fun fact: is the longest pier in CA! If you are looking for lunch in OB, stop by Ortiz’s on Voltaire Street.
Visit Point Loma Nazarene University
Okay, I had to put it in here because I go to school here (shout out to all of my fellow Lomans and trash pandas). PLNU is one of the most gorgeous universities in America, as many of the locations on campus overlook the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Many students who go here love to surf in their free time, which also ranks it as the #5 Surf College in the US!
Enjoy outdoor dining at Liberty Public Market
Like Grand Central Market in LA, Liberty Public Market has an array of food stalls to choose from. There’s tons of options here including Thai, Mexican, Ramen, BBQ, and and Vegan. I would personally recommend Chris’ Ono Grinds for Hawaiian food! For all of you beer lovers, there is also a place to get local craft beers and IPAs. Once you order your food, you can take it outside and eat on the patio!
Catch a sunset by the cliffs at Sunset Cliffs
The best way to end a trip to Point Loma is by driving down Sunset Cliffs. Parking is a bit tough around here, since it is a really popular spot so definitely go early! Bring a blanket to sit on, and enjoy the gorgeous sunset to close off a beautiful day.
Looking for more things to do in San Diego? Visit the archives!
