25+ Things to Do Near Naval Base Point Loma in Pacific Beach, San Diego, and La Jolla!

Naval Base Point Loma may not have as many on-base recreational facilities as others in the San Diego Metro area, but don’t fret if you’ve just gotten orders there. You’ll still have unbeatable access to America's Finest City, San Diego! With tons of fantastic restaurants and attractions for all ages to enjoy, you’re in for a fun few years while you’re stationed at Point Loma.

5 Military-Friendly Activities Near Naval Base Point Loma

Kicking things off, these five activities are military-friendly, meaning they offer military discounts or are Veteran-owned! Some of the other restaurants and recreation activities in this guide are also military-friendly, but here we highlight a few you definitely won’t want to miss.

Explore Cabrillo National Monument

In 1542, the first European set foot on the United States’ West Coast right here on the Point Loma peninsula. This area is now known as Cabrillo National Monument.

With its location on the point of the peninsula, those stationed at NAVBASE Point Loma have the best access to this historic site, with its beautiful oceanside trails and tide pools where you can see marine life up close. The National Park Service offers a variety of discounts for service members, Veterans, and their families.

Take a Thrill Ride at Belmont Park

Belmont Park is a classic coastal amusement park, with roller coasters and many other classic rides, games, laser tag, an arcade, and more. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a thrill or something a bit more relaxed. Members of the US Military can get discounted tickets with GOVX.

See San Diego From a New Point of View

Take an aerial tour of San Diego in a classic bi-plane with San Diego Sky Tours! Not only was this business founded by Veterans representing three different branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, but many of their pilots giving tours are current or former service members.

Go to a San Diego FC Match

Not every city is lucky enough to have a professional football (aka soccer) club, but San Diego is! The San Diego Football Club plays Major League Soccer at San Diego’s own Snapdragon Stadium.

Service members and Veterans can get discounted tickets to San Diego FC games, and the club also hosts a variety of military appreciation events at games throughout the season.

Grab a Bite at Bonehead Burger Co.

Visit the Bonehead Burger Co.'s Old Town location for next-level burgers made by a team focused on community and led by a former member of the US military. Satisfy your burger craving while supporting a Veteran-owned business!

10 Restaurants Near NB Point Loma You Won’t Want to Miss

The San Diego restaurant scene is absolutely teeming with fantastic restaurants, offering cuisines from all over the world. We’ve got a few great ones to recommend, but these are just the tip of the iceberg. If you find any other gems as you explore San Diego, let us know in the comments!

Fig Tree Cafe - Great spot for breakfast or brunch, offering sweet and savory options!

Rosemarie’s Buns & Brews - Head over to Rosemarie’s for the best sliders in San Diego!

Mitch’s Seafood - Quaint spot serving up fresh, locally caught seafood right on the water.

Asado Gaucho - Make memories at this restaurant serving delicious, slow-roasted meat dishes made the authentic Argentinian way.

Cesarina - This stylish Italian eatery would be great for a date night.

Restaurants for the Whole (Furry) Family

Dog-lovers stationed at Naval Base Point Loma will also find some great restaurant options with outdoor seating where their furry family members can join them for a meal.

Pacific Beach Fish Shop - This fin-tastic fresh seafood restaurant has a large, pet-friendly outdoor space.

Pomodoro - This rustic Italian restaurant has outdoor tables where Fido can join you.

Woody's Breakfast and Burgers - This beloved breakfast and dinner joint is right on the ocean. Pets are allowed at outdoor tables during dog-friendly boardwalk hours.

Daybreak Island Grill - Grab breakfast or brunch at this Hawaiian-inspired eatery on the dog-friendly patio and order something from their doggie menu for your pooch!

Newbreak Coffee and Cafe - This dog-friendly cafe has plenty of outdoor seating.

What Are Some Pet-Friendly Places Near Naval Base Point Loma?

Beyond great pet-friendly restaurants, San Diego has many fantastic places to bring your dog for off-leash play or a long walk.

Fiesta Island Park

Location: 1590 E Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA, US, 92123

Fiesta Island Park is a large sandy island dedicated entirely to outdoor recreation. The entire park is leash-free, but there’s also a fenced area for off-leash play if that’s your preference.

Capehart Park

Location: Soledad Mountain Rd & Felspar St, San Diego, CA, US, 92109

Capehart Park features two fenced-in play areas for small and large dogs, plus water fountains, picnic tables, and benches.

Dusty Rhodes Park

Location: 2469 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA, US, 92107

Dusty Rhodes Park has a large dog park that is fully fenced, has doggie water fountains, and lots of wide-open space for dogs to run and play.

The Original Dog Beach

Location: 5156 W Point Loma Blvd, San Diego, CA, US, 92107

The Original Dog Beach is the first beach in San Diego welcoming off-leash dogs. There’s even a nearby dog wash where you can rinse your dog off after an afternoon in the sand and surf.

4 Great Date Ideas Near NB Point Loma (For Couples or BFFs)

Whether you’re looking for a fun way to spend the afternoon with your girls, going for a guys' night out, or planning a romantic date with your special someone, San Diego has many options you’ll want to explore.

Stroll the Mission Beach Boardwalk

If you’re looking for a great place to spend the afternoon before grabbing dinner on the water, you’ll want to head to the Mission Beach Boardwalk.

You can stroll through local shops, take in beautiful ocean views, and stop by Belmond Park if you’re feeling adventurous, all before grabbing dinner at one of the fantastic oceanfront restaurants.

Take to the Skies at the Torrey Pines Gliderport

If you live for an adrenaline rush, paragliding might be the perfect weekend activity for you. Luckily, San Diego is home to Torrey Pines Gliderport, North America's Premier Paragliding Flight School.

The gliderport offers tandem flights and training programs so you can eventually go out for flight on your own!

See a Show at the Old Globe Theater

Since 1935, the Old Globe Theater has been bringing quality live theater to the San Diego area. The theater puts on about 15 productions a year and offers a variety of arts programming throughout the year as well.

Did we mention the theater is a recreation of the famous Globe Theater in London? It’s the perfect place in San Diego to see a performance of Shakespeare.

Visit the Comic-Con Museum

Comic-Con only comes around once a year, but you can relive the fun any time you like at the Comic-Con Museum.

Celebrate and share your passion for comics, film, television, cosplay, science fiction, fantasy, books, video games, anime, and other related popular arts through a variety of interactive exhibits, activities, panels, programming, and more.

Bring your military ID for a discounted ticket!

4 Places Kids Will Love Near Naval Base Point Loma

Families with young children will find plenty of fun activities to do together as a family in the area around Naval Base Point Loma.

The Birch Aquarium

The Birch Aquarium at UC San Diego is a destination your whole family will love. With seasonal programs for all ages, events, and special activities that vary by the day, you'll want to return to the Birch Aquarium again and again

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? Yes

Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rise & Shine Play

Rise & Shine Play is an indoor play facility designed specifically for families with young children. While the facility does have separate games and activities for children 6 and up (intended for older siblings), the primary play space is limited to children 5 and under to ensure maximum safety for toddlers.

Ages: 5 and under

Military Discount? None advertised

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

KidWonder

San Diego's KidWonder is a small chain of local gyms where kids can play in American Ninja-style obstacle courses, take gymnastics lessons, participate in summer camps, or just use Open Gym time to practice at their own pace.

They also offer a special program, called Kineissori, which is designed to support learning and development for kids 6 and under.

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? None advertised

Hours: Varies by program

Slime Kitchen

At San Diego's Slime Kitchen in Mission Valley, your child can have messy fun that you don’t have to clean up! Make your own slime or sign up for a STEM-focused Mad Scientist Workshop!

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? None advertised

Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Don’t Miss These Seasonal Activities Near NB Point Loma!

While many of the activities and attractions we’ve turned a spotlight on so far are accessible all year-round, there are also some great seasonal activities near Naval Base Point Loma that you’ll want to mark your calendars for. We’re highlighting one for each season.

Art Without Walls by La Jolla Playhouse

Each spring, the La Jolla Playhouse takes art outside with the Without Walls (WOW) program. The festival is a four-day celebration of immersive, interactive, and surprising art experiences directly in the La Jolla community, outside the walls of the theater.

Bike the Bay

Rather than a race, Bike the Bay is a community bike ride designed to raise money for The San Diego County Bike Coalition, an organization that strives to make San Diego streets safer for cyclists. After the ride, enjoy a festival complete with food, activities, and live entertainment.

San Diego Restaurant Week

Fall is one of the best times of year for San Diego foodies because it’s when San Diego hosts its biannual Restaurant Week. Grab discounted meals off of specially curated menus at over 100 of the best restaurants in San Diego!

Jingle Jets Holiday Lighting Celebration

Each December, the USS Midway Museum hosts its annual Jingle Jets Holiday Lighting celebration. The decks of the USS Midway are covered in dazzling holiday lights, and you can get tickets to spend the evening exploring the display and taking part in fun holiday activities.

Check Out These Nearby Day Trips and Weekend Getaways

On your next long weekend or day off, you might want to plan a quick getaway. Hit the road to one of these nearby cities and explore all that Southern California has to offer!

Laguna Beach, CA

Drive time: 90 minutes

• Hike to the Top of the World at Alta Laguna Park for panoramic views of the beautiful SoCal coastline and surrounding mountains.
• Take in the local arts scene by visiting the Laguna Art Museum or see a show at the Laguna Playhouse.
• Window shop your way through the charming boutique stores of Downtown Laguna Beach.

Santa Clarita, CA

Drive time: 2 - 2.5 hours

• Go for a thrill ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and don’t forget to grab your tickets at a discount through the IT&T office.
• Visit the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum, the only active paleontological research site in the world located in a major urban area.
• Step back in time as you board the historic Queen Mary for a guided tour, special event, or even an overnight stay!

Don’t Miss Out on These Fun Things to Do Near NB Point Loma

Orders to Naval Base Point Loma are something to celebrate. Located right on the coast in sunny San Diego, California, the location simply can’t be beat.

Plus, you’ve got unlimited access to all that San Diego and the rest of Southern California have to offer, from fantastic restaurants to tons of fun attractions. We hope this guide has inspired you to get off base and explore!