MovingSD.com

San Diego is home to many interesting areas and places, some with names that often hide their true nature, like a surprise just waiting to be discovered. One such place is Shelter Island, a neighborhood located in Point Loma.

Shelter Island has quite a misleading name, as the area is not actually an island, because it is connected by a narrow piece of land to the mainland. Originally a sandbank in San Diego Bay that was only visible at low tide, it has been developed into a bustling neighborhood filled with Shelter Island hotels, restaurants, marinas, and even a park.

In the early days of Shelter Island, it was actually considered to be a “mudbank” on the U.S. coast and geodetic map. Over many years, it was formed by the San Diego River’s soil and sand deposits, forming a suitable area where materials dredged out of San Diego Bay for the U.S. Navy’s requirements in World War II could be dumped. Through the 40s and into the 50s, the San Diego Harbor Commission continued a dredging program that gave an entrance to the yacht basin, as well as provided more material to connect Shelter Island with Point Loma. Once the project was completed in the 1960s, many media outlets praised the creation of Shelter Island, describing it as “something from nothing,” and a “testimonial to human ingenuity” that created “a man-made wonderland of sub-tropical splendor”.

Today, Shelter Island is owned and regulated by the Port of San Diego. The Port also provides Shelter Island with other public services like the police. When it comes to San Diego real estate, residences are forbidden from being built there. But there are many public attractions and notable businesses, as well as venues for art and culture.

There’s The Tunaman’s Memorial, a large bronze sculpture made to commemorate the tuna fishermen of years past. Then there’s the large Yokohama Friendship Bell housed in a pagoda, a gift given by Yokohama to their “sister city”, San Diego. Between June and September, Shelter Island is also home to an outdoor concert event for nationally known musicians, and is also a popular spot for viewing the Fourth of July fireworks display over San Diego Bay.

One key feature of Shelter Island, however, is its marina. Shelter Island is a prime destination for large sea-faring vessels known as superyachts, and it is home of the Silvergate Yacht Club, as well as the San Diego Yacht Club and Southwestern Yacht Club. There’s even an event, known as YachtFest, held during September to focus on superyachts, as well as to show mock gunbattles of two 19th-century battle ships from the San Diego Maritime Museum.

Shelter Island is the premiere destination in San Diego for boat lovers, as well as overall lovers of the sea. It is a must-see spot!