TL;DR Travels

Your TL;DR Guide to San Diego’s Liberty Station Public Market & Shopping Center

TL;DR: Located in Point Loma, Liberty Station is a commerce and arts center with plenty of outdoor spaces, dining vendors, and an active art scene. With free parking, Liberty Station is easy to access throughout the week.

1. What Makes Liberty Station Special?
2. The Logistics
   1. At a Glance
3. What to Do at Liberty Station
   1. Public Market
   2. Arts District
   3. Shopping
   4. Golfing
4. The Verdict: Is Liberty Station Worth It?
5. Explore More

Whenever people ask me for San Diego recommendations, I typically encourage them to visit Liberty Station’s Public Market and Shopping Center. A comfortable collection of miscellaneous buildings and businesses, Liberty Station is an easy place to get lost.

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What Makes Liberty Station Special?

Opened in 1923, Liberty Station was once known as San Diego’s Naval Training Center. The facility continued to grow throughout World War II and the Cold War. However, it eventually closed in 1997, before re-opening in 2000 as a center for arts, community, and commerce.

When I think of Liberty Station, I think of the word “approachable.” Full of various activities and shops but spread out enough that you can enjoy the peaceful outdoor public spaces, Liberty Station has cemented its spot on my “favorite places” list for the city. Below, I’ll go through a few things to check out on your next trip. Keep in mind, however, that there are so many great things that won’t make it onto the list (fitness classes, the waterfront, and more!) – maybe I’ll have to do a part 2 to cover everything!

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The Logistics

Liberty Station is a hub of activity, from community events, dining, arts and more. With several free parking lots throughout the center and paved, maintained sidewalks, navigating Liberty Station is fairly straightforward.

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What to Do at Liberty Station

Public Market

Address: 2820 Historic Decatur Rd, Suite 140, San Diego, CA 92106

Hours: 11AM-7PM Daily

Open 7 days a week from 11am-7pm, the Public Market is the BEST reason (in my opinion) to visit Liberty Station. With so many unique food vendors – from savory meals to delicious sweets – as well as a few artisans, it’s a great area to wander around and satisfy your tastebuds. I usually stop by for a taco (or two), but there are so many fantastic places to check-out. On my last visit, I also tried some ube pandesal – with ube butter! And as always, it was all delicious.

Arts District

After eating at the Public Market, you can stroll deeper inside Liberty Station. A short walk away brings you to the heart of the Arts District. With changing exhibitions, galleries, and approachable art classes, the Arts District is a unique way to connect with San Diego’s art scene. Stop by the first Friday of the month to meet the artists and see some special art installations.

If you’re interested in immersing yourself in the arts while here, take a look at The Hot Spot for pottery and candle making.

Shopping

Golfing

Near Corvette Diner, it’s not unusual to see people putting across the lawn. Thanks to the Loma Club, visitors can now hangout, golf, try out the newly opened mini-golf court, or check-out one of the special events.

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The Verdict: Is Liberty Station Worth It?

Yes – Liberty Station’s Arts District is definitely worth it. Perfect for foodies and groups, Liberty Station is the ideal place to spend an afternoon in the sun. With an array of coffee shops and outdoor seating, Liberty Station is also great for individuals looking to spend some solo-time reading, studying, or relaxing.