20 Attractions to Explore Near Shelter Island

Sunset Cliffs Park is a 68-acre park that extends 1.5 miles along Point Loma peninsula's western shoreline.The park's topography includes intricately carved coastal bluffs, arches and sea caves. It affords inspiring panoramic ocean views.There are surfing spots below the cliffs. The cliffside trails are popular for walking and for watching the sunset, but are undeveloped and can be dangerous.

A 7-day a week Public Market and event venue offering the best of what the region has to offer. Showcasing a rustic environment with prepared foods, beer, wine, specialty cocktails, produce, fish, desserts and pastries, pastas, arts and crafts, a test kitchen, pop up dinners, and educational driven events.

This is one of the most visited landmarks in San Diego County. The pier extends 1971 feet into the ocean and is purported to be the longest concrete fishing pier on the west coast.

Southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula. It commemorates the landing of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542. This event marked the first time a European expedition had set foot on what later became the West Coast of the United States.

This is a historic lighthouse located on the Point Loma peninsula at the mouth of San Diego Bay in San Diego, California. It is situated in the Cabrillo National Monument. It is no longer in operation as a lighthouse but is open to the public as a museum. Visitors may enter the lighthouse and view parts of the living quarters there

A beautiful beach popular with families and couples alike thanks to its miles-long shoreline, clean sands, peaceful atmosphere and idyllic location in the "Crown City. This wide family-friendly beach gets crowded, but it is wide enough that you can find a place to spread out comfortably. Sometimes near the hotel there are elaborate large sand castles to view and photograph – the creators love donations. Get there early to park nearby and secure a good spot on the sand.

A historical naval aircraft carrier museum. The museum consists of the aircraft carrier Midway. The ship houses an extensive collection of aircraft, many of which were built in Southern California.

Established in 1948, it preserves one of the largest collections of historic sea vessels in the United States. The centerpiece of the museum's collection is the Star of India, an 1863 ironbark.

Star of India is an iron-hulled sailing ship, built in 1863 in Ramsey. After a career sailing from Great Britain to India and New Zealand, she was renamed, re-rigged as a barque, and became a salmon hauler on the Alaska to California route. Retired in 1926, she was restored as a seaworthy museum ship in 1962–3 and home-ported at the Maritime Museum of San Diego in San Diego, California. She is the oldest ship still sailing regularly and also the oldest iron-hulled merchant ship still afloat.

San Diego Waterfront Park is a 12-acre open space park surrounding the San Diego County Administration Center. Numerous walkways with intermittent benches wind through the gardens. There are six large civic green lawns, and a long row of reflecting pools with interactive spray fountains.

Seaport Village is a waterfront shopping and dining complex adjacent to San Diego Bay in downtown San Diego. It houses more than 70 shops, galleries, and eateries on 90,000 square feet of waterfront property. The Village contains several freestanding buildings in an assortment of architectural styles, from Victorian to traditional Mexican.

This is the world's largest accredited model railroad museum. This unique museum contains five enormous scale model layouts depicting railroads of the Southwest in O, HO, and N scales. Its mission is to collect, preserve and present the heritage of American railroading using educational programs, displays, toy trains, and scale models of California railroads.

A majestic Sea port in San Diego. In addition to port activities, the Port District controls San Diego Bay and owns and manages the Bay's immediate waterfront under the state's Tidelands Trust. The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics has ranked the Port of San Diego as one of America's top 30 U.S. containership ports bringing in nearly 3 million metric tons of cargo per year through the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and the National City Marine Terminal.

This is an 1857 Greek Revival style residence, a California Historical Landmark,[2] and museum located in Old Town, San Diego. From its rich Greek Revival architecture style and authentic decor to its mysterious past and unrivaled haunted pedigree, it’s no wonder this home attracts visitors from all over the world. Besides being the Whaley family home, it was also San Diego’s first commercial theater, the county courthouse, and a general store.

A state protected historical park commemorating the early days of the City of San Diego and includes many historic buildings from the period 1820 to 1870.

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego offers access to the very best art of our time at two iconic locations. While the La Jolla location is currently closed for a major renovation and expansion project, the downtown location serves as MCASD's primary hub of activity. The Museum of Contemporary Art has a nearly 5,500-object collection of post-World War II art that includes key pieces by color field painter Ellsworth Kelly.

Old Town San Diego features acres of Mexican heritage, historical sites, colorful shops, eclectic restaurants, a theater and tons more to explore.Old Town has over 30 restaurants, most with great outdoor dining, and a quaint atmosphere plus there are more than 75 unique places to shop. This historic area is situated next to the State Park with 32 historic sites and shops.

Coronado Ferry Landing has everything you can ask for in a first-class shopping village. It is one of the iconic location for spending your beautiful day with your family. Enjoy exquisite fine dining at one of our three premier waterfront restaurants. Romantic, birthday, anniversary or business celebrations have never been more special. Savor seafood at newly remodeled Peohe's.

An animal theme park, oceanarium, outside aquarium, and marine mammal park. Popular for their animal exhibitions and shows.

A resort city in San Diego. Coronado is consistently voted best beach in the U.S. by Dr. Beach. With gentle surf, sparkling wide-sand beaches, charming main street and great hotels, including the famous Hotel del Coronado, this island paradise is perfect for a family vacation or romantic getaway.