Aerial view of Best Western Island Palms Hotel and Marina
01 Mar 2026

Get Out on the Water in San Diego this Spring

By Best Western Island Palms Hotel

Looking for the perfect spring escape with lots of outdoor activities, near-perfect weather, and plenty of time on the water? Grab your swimsuit, sunglasses, beach towel, and sunscreen; it’s time to have some fun in the sun during your waterfront San Diego vacation adventure!

Our tropically inspired Shelter Island hotel puts you right on the water for your stay in San Diego. You’ll be surrounded by stunning bayfront views and the tranquility Shelter Island offers away from crowds. Our stunning location, combined with our convenient on-site marina, makes us the perfect choice for those looking to spend some time on the water in San Diego.

You’ll also enjoy a variety of exciting coastal-inspired spring activities in San Diego that all start with our onsite resort-style amenities for guests that include two pools and a hot tub, a poolside bar, waterfront dinner and drinks, tennis, and pickleball courts…and more.

Are you ready to make a splash this spring in San Diego? Here are some of the best water-oriented adventures to experience in San Diego near the Best Western PLUS Island Palms Hotel & Marina.

Have Fun on the Water in San Diego This Spring

Whale Watching in San Diego

a whale's tail breaching the water with the San Diego skyline in the backgorund

Next Level Sailing, conveniently located onsite on our private marina, offers an amazing San Diego whale watching experience you won’t soon forget! Enjoy a 4-hour whale-watching tour in San Diego aboard the 141-foot sailing yacht ‘America.’ You will learn so much with the Next Level Sailing guides who have been exploring local waters for over 15 years. If you haven’t spent some time out on the water in San Diego whale watching, now is the perfect time! Spring is upon us, which means it’s the perfect whale watching season. The San Diego waters are a popular feeding spot for these amazing creatures, which are often seen offshore traveling in pods with more than 2,500 whales! Book your adventure on the water with Next Level Sailing for spring fun whale watching in San Diego.

Hit the Beach in San Diego

people running into the surf

San Diego is the place to be this spring for some serious beach time at our world-famous beaches! Whether you are looking forward to swimming, sunbathing, surfing, beach combing, exploring, or watersports, San Diego has the perfect beach for you! We here at Island Palms are conveniently located near a variety of popular San Diego beaches that all have their own unique charm. Choose from nearby Ocean Beach, Coronado Beach, and Mission Beach, as well as the Shelter Island Shoreline Park & Beach just steps from your suite at our San Diego hotel!

Catch a Waterfront Concert

humphreys concerts by the bay from boats

Photo: @bradycoolingisnotcool

Located just down the street at our sister hotels’ venue, Humphreys Concerts by the bay is the perfect place to see your favorite band or artist in San Diego. Their waterfront venue is one of the most popular in the area and is a great way to get out on the water like the locals do when they arrive at the concert on their boats, kayaks, and even paddleboards to watch their favorite performers live in action!

Rent a Jet Ski

jet ski

Get out on the water and have some fun this spring with a jet ski rental from Jet Ski San Diego. Just minutes from Best Western PLUS Island Palms Hotel & Marina, this popular rental company is owned by a USCG Master Captain with over 50 years of boating and skiing experience, ensuring your safety and fun is a priority. You will have so much fun exploring the local waters of San Diego Bay in the California sunshine on a top-of-the-line jet ski!

Parasailing San Diego

parasail

Thrill seekers will enjoy an exciting day on the water in San Diego with San Diego Parasail Adventures. This unique experience is the perfect choice for an exhilarating adventure during your San Diego spring vacation. Parasailing combines the thrill of a power boat ride, parachuting, hot air ballooning, and hang gliding in one unique air-based experience! San Diego Parasail Adventures has been serving locals and visitors of San Diego for over 33 years and uses only state-of-the-art technology for the best and safest parasailing in San Diego. Book your San Diego parasailing adventure today for the thrill of a lifetime!

Rent a Hot Tub Boat

You haven’t fully lived until you experience cruisin’ on a hot tub boat along the California coast! Share a unique experience on Mission Bay with an exciting hot tub boat rental in San Diego. Hot Tub Cruisin’ offers a one-of-a-kind hot tub boat rental experience that is perfect for a group of friends, a family adventure, or a romantic cruise in San Diego. This leisurely boat ride includes a comfortable hot tub soak along with a music system that connects to your favorite devices. You’ll also have a cooler, extra seating, and a swim ladder for a dip in the bay!

Take a San Diego Dinner Cruise

Get out on the water in San Diego this spring with an exciting San Diego Dinner Cruise. CityCruises offers an amazing experience with an evening on the bay in San Diego. Enjoy delicious cocktails and a chef-prepared menu while sailing along the Southern California coast. You will have unforgettable views, dance to music from a DJ, and see all the most popular San Diego sights and landmarks from the rooftop deck or climate-controlled interior.

San Diego Boat Tour  

san diego harbor from the water

Enjoy a narrated San Diego boat tour with Flagship Cruises and Events for a fun experience on the water in San Diego. The narrated tour takes you past more than 55 popular San Diego sights and landmarks while you enjoy snacks and drinks, free Wi-fi, and amazing 360-degree views! Choose from climate-controlled inside seating or a top deck view for your adventure! Tours are offered every day from experienced local guides with tons of knowledge about San Diego and our history.

Learn to Snorkel and Kayak in San Diego

kayaking

If you want to get out on the water and enjoy some of the most popular water activities in San Diego, head over to the Mission Bay Aquatic Center. You can take lessons to learn a new water sport from experienced professionals and learn how to snorkel and kayak! You can also rent the coolest things, like sailboats, snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, and surfboards! You will find everything you need for a day on the water in San Diego at the Mission Beach Aquatic Center.

Take Surf Lessons in Pacific Beach

Surfer teaching a kid to surf

Ready to hang 10 during your San Diego spring vacation? Visit the San Diego Surf School for surfing lessons from a seasoned pro! Everything you need is provided, including all the equipment like a wetsuit and surfboard. Choose from private one-on-one surf lessons or group surf lessons at this popular San Diego surfing school near Island Palms. Experience San Diego like a local by catching your first wave and enjoying the laid-back surf culture that makes the city famous.

Take a Gondola Ride on the Bay

If you’re looking for a unique experience during your stay at Best Western Island Palms this spring, try an authentic gondola boat ride in San Diego from The Gondola Company. Take a relaxing cruise through the canals and waterways of the Coronado Cays. Day, sunset, and night tours are available. Sip on your favorite wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and nibble on assorted chocolates as you enjoy a unique experience of a gondola ride during your visit to San Diego.

Make a Splash This Spring on the Water in San Diego

swimming pool at night

It is time for some fun in the San Diego sun, and the Best Western PLUS Island Palms Hotel & Marina on Shelter Island is the best hotel for all the most exciting water-oriented activities you are looking forward to during your San Diego getaway. It’s finally time to book your spring getaway! If you want to have the best spring vacation in San Diego with all the most exciting opportunities to get out on the water, book your bayfront guest room or suite today. Not only is our hotel packed with fun activities and amenities for guests, but we are also close to all the exciting things to do in San Diego, including fun activities like boat tours, kayaking, snorkeling, whale watching, and so much more!

aerial view of marina
01 Jun 2021

What to Do on Shelter Island & Point Loma

By Best Western Island Palms Hotel

There are an endless number of beautiful spots in our home of sunny San Diego. Stunning sunsets, breathtaking beaches, and impressive architecture are nearly everywhere you look. That said, we’ll admit to a bit of personal bias in opining that our home of Shelter Island may just be the loveliest of them all. Shelter Island is marked by tranquil skyline, ample green space, and very little of the bustle that’s found in other parts of the city. It may not boast the energetic excitement of Mission Beach or the Gaslamp Quarter, but sometimes peace and quiet is what you really need. Read on for our take on the best things to do on Shelter Island in Point Loma, San Diego.

Biking

Cycling has proven to be one of the most popular activities on Shelter Island, and for good reason. The island’s circumference-circling bike is perfect for visitors looking to get in some physical activity while sightseeing. Whether you want to go farther out into Point Loma or are just looking for a short spin around Shelter Island, you can look forward to a pleasant ride. San Diego is a very easy city to navigate on two wheels.

Walking/Jogging

two people walking next to a marina full of sailboats

The path that runs the length of Shelter Island and back isn’t just open to cyclists. Those wishing to traverse the route on foot are also welcome to do so, and at their own pace. Whether making the trip for fitness reasons or simply as a relaxing sightseeing trek, visitors will be welcomed by ideal weather, idyllic marina views, and endless sunshine.

Fishing

a fishing boat

Looking to get a little angling in? Shelter Island has just the place for you. The Shelter Island Pier is a scenic point to take in the view and drop your hook for a variety of catches, including bonito, barracuda, calico bass, and halibut. The pier opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 10:30 p.m., and no fees are required. Finding yourself a little light in the tacklebox? No problem. Just stop by Fathom Bistro Bait and Tackle and load up on food for yourself, and the fish.

Shoreline Park

A serene swath of green space complete with a playground, Shoreline Park is always a great option for families with kids. In addition to lush picnic areas and abundant space to stretch, visitors can enjoy several slides, a swing set, and a climbing structure, plus the views of the water. Take it easy while the kids play, and don’t forget to bring your sunscreen.

Boating

people on a sailboat

Shelter Island is home to one of San Diego’s top marinas, so there are always amazing watercraft coming and going. As the point of departure for many short and long-range sportfishing trips — plus the constant presence of cruise liners — Shelter Island visitors have a lot of maritime activity to check out on the horizon. And if you’re interested in getting out on the water yourself, you’re always welcome to charter a fishing or sightseeing cruise.

Public Art

a large sculpture of three fishermen

Kidasion Boat Rafting in Mission Bay

Thanks to its scenic location, Shelter Island is home to quite a few captivating pieces of art for visitors to enjoy. At the south end of the island, you’ll discover several beautiful and moving works, including the Yokohama Friendship Bell (gifted to the city in 1958), the Tunaman’s Memorial, and the Pacific Rim Park mosaic — including the Pearl of the Pacific. Learn about their history and enjoy your journey.

Water Sports

a marina at sunset

Thanks to the abundant amount of shoreline here (and the calmer inland waters), Shelter Island is a great place to partake in your favorite water sports. Kayaking, surfing, parasailing, swimming, kiteboarding, and sport boating are all extremely popular thanks to the warm, sapphire-blue waters of San Diego Bay. There are also many locations up and down the island where equipment is available for purchase or rental. So get out there and enjoy a day on the water!

Live Music

Humphreys entrance

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of an energetic concert featuring your favorite artists, and Shelter Island is one of the best places in San Diego to see them live. Our sister property Humphreys Half Moon Inn hosts one of the best concert venues in all of “America’s Finest City” — Humphreys Concerts by the Bay. Their stage will once again be welcoming world-class bands back over the summer, so you won’t want to miss dropping in and rocking out!

Whale Watching

a whale breaching

San Diego is one of the best spots along the West Coast to spot pods of gray whales as they make their annual 10,000-mile migration to cooler northern waters. December is the beginning of the season, but the migratory patterns of these majestic ocean behemoths can last for months. Spotting whales from shore is not uncommon, but Shelter Island visitors can also charter tour boats that get them up close to our marine neighbors.

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Island Palms entry at sunset

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