Tours & Attractions in Point Loma — Top Local Picks (2026)

Shelter Island and the sportfishing docks along Scott Street make Point Loma the most active fishing departure point in San Diego. H&M Landing runs half-day, full-day, and multi-day trips targeting yellowtail, yellowfin tuna, calico bass, and seasonal bluefin, with a public fish-cleaning station at the dock for anglers returning with a catch.

Shore anglers cast from the Shelter Island fishing pier, a public pier where no California fishing license is required. Beyond the pier, dozens of charter operators work the sportfishing basin—from private boats for small groups to open-party vessels that sell individual spots. The rocky shoreline near Cabrillo National Monument on the south tip of the peninsula also draws regulars who target sheephead and calico bass from the jetties.

How long does it take to see Cabrillo National Monument?

Most visitors spend two to three hours at Cabrillo National Monument, which is enough time to tour the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, walk through the visitor center exhibits, and take in the panoramic views from the upper overlook that stretch from Mexico to the Channel Islands on a clear day.

Adding the Bayside Trail hike extends the visit by roughly an hour. The tide pools on the western shoreline require a separate drive down to the lower parking area and are best visited during low tide—checking the tide charts before you go saves a wasted trip. A thorough visit that includes the trail, tide pools, lighthouse, and whale watching overlook can stretch to four hours or more, so arriving by midmorning is the safest plan.

What is the best month for whale watching in San Diego?

The gray whale migration runs past Point Loma from mid-December through April, with January and February producing the highest concentration of sightings along the coast. The overlook at Cabrillo National Monument sits 400 feet above sea level and offers a free shore-based vantage point during the migration window—bring binoculars and patience.

For closer encounters, whale watching cruises leave from H&M Landing and other docks along the Shelter Island sportfishing basin. Most operators run three-to-four-hour trips with naturalist narration on board. Blue whales and humpbacks pass through later in the season, typically June through September, making Point Loma a nearly year-round whale watching departure point outside of the quiet stretch in October and November.

When is Kobey's Swap Meet in Point Loma?

Kobey's Swap Meet sets up every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the Pechanga Arena parking lot on Sports Arena Boulevard in Point Loma's Midway District. It is one of San Diego's longest-running outdoor flea markets, filling hundreds of vendor stalls with clothing, electronics, furniture, tools, vintage finds, and collectibles across the asphalt.

Friday hours typically run shorter than the weekend sessions, and early arrival gets the best pick of the vintage and antique dealers who set up along the outer rows. Admission runs a few dollars cash, with free parking in the surrounding Sports Arena lots. The weekend crowds and vendor variety have kept Kobey's a Midway institution since the 1970s. Over in Ocean Beach, the OB Farmers Market on Newport Avenue fills a similar community-market niche on Wednesday evenings, just across the Voltaire Street border.

What can you see at Cabrillo National Monument?

Cabrillo National Monument covers the southern tip of the Point Loma peninsula with views reaching from the Mexican border to the Channel Islands on clear days. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse, built in 1855 and decommissioned in 1891, is the centerpiece—a small whitewashed tower open for walk-throughs with period furnishings and interpretive displays about the lighthouse keepers who lived there.

The visitor center covers the Kumeyaay people, Spanish exploration, and the military history that shaped the peninsula over four centuries. The tide pools along the rocky western shore expose anemones, hermit crabs, sea hares, and small fish at low tide. From the upper overlook, the whale watching platform faces the open Pacific—binoculars and a clear January morning are the best combination for spotting gray whale spouts on the horizon.

Where can I rent a kayak in Point Loma?

Kayak rentals in Point Loma launch from the calm waters of San Diego Bay, where the protected harbor basin along Shelter Island makes conditions manageable for beginners and families. Eco Boat Rentals offers electric-powered boats and pedal craft alongside traditional kayaks, with self-guided routes that follow the shoreline past yacht marinas and the sportfishing docks.

Tandem and single kayaks are available by the hour, and most operators supply paddles, life vests, and a waterproof bag for phones and keys. Morning sessions before the afternoon wind picks up offer the smoothest paddling on the bay. For a guided experience, several Point Loma outfitters combine kayaking with snorkeling near the sea caves along the Cabrillo coastline, though conditions there require more experience and depend on weather and swell.

How much does a fishing charter cost in Point Loma?

Fishing charter pricing in Point Loma depends on the trip length and whether you book a private boat or buy an open-party spot. Half-day open-party trips on boats leaving from H&M Landing are the most affordable entry point, typically selling individual tickets for morning or afternoon departures that target nearshore species like calico bass, rockfish, and sculpin.

Full-day and overnight charters run higher and target offshore species—yellowfin tuna, bluefin, and yellowtail during the summer and fall runs that draw anglers from across Southern California. Private charters for groups of four to six cost more per trip but split well among friends. Triton Charters and Sail San Diego offer packages that combine fishing with harbor cruises for groups that want variety on the water.

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Tours, Attractions & Things to Do in Point Loma 92106

All Tours & Attractions

Lara's Labyrinth

Eco Boat Rentals

Sail San Diego

Malarky Charters

Bella Luna Yacht

Athena Boat Rental

Wild Pacific Whale Watch

Legacy Cruises and Events

Champagne Yacht Rental and Charter

Boundless Boat Charters

San Diego Yacht Charters

Pacifica Sailing Charters

Triton Charters and Yacht Rental

Alana Yacht Rental

Tiki Time Bay Tours | San Diego Boat Cruise

Next Level Sailing - San Diego Whale Watching & Private Yacht Charters

West Coast Paddle Board Rentals

Pink Duffy Party Boat cruises in San Diego

Nautilus Sportfishing

Cabrillo National Monument

Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center

Point Loma Tide Pools

Bluebill Charters

Nautilus Liveaboards

Rise and Shine Play

Mockingbird Improv

Sauerfish Charters

Silver Gate Yacht Club

Kate and Faces (Face Painting and Glitter Bar)

Patriot Sportfishing

Osprey Yacht Charters

San Diego Boat Cruise

Torqued Sportfishing

Cerulean Sea Charters | San Diego Yacht Charter

Liberty Public Market

Point Loma Marina

Naval Training Center Park

Shoreline Park

San Diego Yacht Club

Southwestern Yacht Club

Wonderboats

Searcher Sportfishing

Maverick Luxury Yacht Charter

CDM Yachts

Pacific Dawn Sportfishing

Yacht America

Shelter Island Marina

San Diego Boat Tours

Carefree Boat Club of Southern California

Long Range Sport Fishing

Beyond Land Adventures

Shelter Cove Marina

Daiwa Pacific Sport Fishing

Islander Charters Inc

Searcher Natural History Tours

Koehler Kraft Charters

Spirit of Adventure Charters

New Lo An

Wild Goose Fishing Charters

AF Sportfishing

Pacific Queen Sportfishing

San Diego Deep Sea Fishing

Shelter Island San Diego

Six Pack Fishing

Arts District Liberty Station

Scavengers Beer & Adventure Tours

Excel Sportsfishing

America's Sportfishing Boat | San Diego Sportfishing Charters

Baja Sportsfishing

Constitution Sportfishing

Disco Boat Rentals

RockStar Yacht Charters San Diego

American Angler Sportfishing

Game Changer Sportfishing

Japanese Friendship Bell

Daily Double Sportfishing

Batters Box Batting Cages

BayWatch Boat Charters