A Local’s Guide to Mornings on Shelter Island
San Diego may be famous for its sunsets, but mornings on Shelter Island deserve a little love too. Before the day gets moving and the marinas get busy, the waterfront is quieter, the bay breeze is cooler, and it is the perfect time to grab a coffee, get outside and explore our little slice of island paradise.
So, who better to ask how to spend those early hours than the people who know Shelter Island the best?
We asked three members of our Best Western PLUS Island Palms Hotel & Marina team to share their favorite ways to spend a morning around the neighborhood and nearby San Diego spots, from waterfront walks and lavender lattes to hidden bayside views.
Here’s how the Island Palms team does mornings in San Diego.
If you had one free hour on Shelter Island before 10 AM, how would you spend it?
Our Wedding & Catering Sales Manager, Maria, would grab a coffee from Portside Coffee & Gelato- and take a walk along Shelter Island Drive. It’s a peaceful time of day before the marinas get busy. She says she would probably stop at Portside Coffee & Gelato and enjoy the waterfront views while she goes on a walk.
Our Guest Services Agent, Missael, would rather trade the walk for a bike ride along the water. Shelter Island is easy to explore at a slower pace, and a morning ride gives you plenty of bay views without having to venture far from the hotel. *Insider tip- Island Palms hotel guests enjoy two-hours of complimentary bike rentals during their stay. Give Missael’s morning routine a try, and stop by our front desk to head out on your own ride next visit!
Our Group Sales Manager, Joey, would spend his free hour on a round of Pokémon GO. There are plenty of hotspots around Shelter Island. It's a fun interactive way to explore the waterfront and take in the views along the way, especially if you are visiting with little ones!
Where do you go for coffee near Shelter Island or Point Loma?
Maria picks Moniker Coffee Co. in Liberty Station. Where her go-to order is the iced lavender latte
Missael recommends Better Buzz Coffee in Point Loma for his caffeine fix. It’s close to us here on Shelter Island, making it an easy stop before the rest of your San Diego morning gets going.
For Joey, it's Talitha Coffee at Liberty Public Market, just minutes from the hotel. This one is especially easy to make a morning out of. Grab a coffee then explore the market’s other vendors for local shopping and bites.
What’s your go-to breakfast spot on a morning off?
Maria picks Fig Tree Café also located in Liberty Station. A popular menu item is the Berry Sweet French Toast with a side of bacon. If you’re looking for a sit-down breakfast before exploring Liberty Station, or heading out to explore the waterfront, this is her go-to.
Missael heads to Cocina 35 Brunch in Liberty Station for Mexican food and brunch. The restaurant specializes in authentic Mexican breakfast favorites, making it a good stop when you want something a little different from the usual pancakes-and-eggs morning. (And you can’t beat a good order of chilaquiles when enjoying brunch in San Diego!).
Joey recommends Hash House A Go Go in Hillcrest or Breakfast Republic in Liberty Station. Both restaurants are located in walkable areas with plenty of shops and sites to explore before and after your meal. Either way, he likes starting somewhere that gives you more to explore once breakfast is over.
What morning walk or outdoor activity would you recommend?
Maria would head to Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma. It’s one of those places where you can get a little San Diego history and a lot of scenery in the same morning, with sweeping views of the harbor, skyline and Pacific Ocean along the way.
If you are looking for a true local’s secret spot, Joey recommends Kellogg Beach. This small, quiet stretch of shoreline feels much different from San Diego’s bigger beach neighborhoods, making it a good pick when you would rather slow down and watch the sailboats than look for a busy beach scene. *You can even walk here from the hotel!
What’s one morning view around Shelter Island that guests might not know about?
Maria shares an insider tip: Head toward the far end of Shelter Island. Where you will find benches to sit and watch the boats coming in and out of the marina, with views across the bay toward the Point Loma cliffs. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of Navy helicopters taking off in the distance.
For a chance to spot some marine life near the hotel, Joey recommends walking to the public dock at the end of Shelter Island, near the Harbor Police Station. Keep an eye around the docks and water and you may spot sea lions soaking up the morning sun or crabs closer to the shoreline.
If you were planning the perfect morning for an Island Palms guest, what would it look like?
Missael would start early with a coffee and take a waterfront stroll to enjoy the sunrise on Shelter Island. After all, one of the best parts about staying here on Shelter Island is that a pretty great San Diego morning starts right outside our doors.
Maria’s perfect morning is simple, a waterfront walk from our hotel, grab coffee at Portside or Moniker, then breakfast and a little exploring at Liberty Station. If there’s more time, she would continue toward Ocean Beach for the coastal views.
Wake Up to More Shelter Island Mornings
Ready to plan your own Shelter Island morning? Stay three or more nights and save up to 18% with our Stay Longer & Save offer! A longer stay means more time to enjoy waterfront walks, neighborhood favorites and a few of our team’s go-to San Diego spots.
