Geography Point Loma, San Diego

1 geography

1.1 geology
1.2 neighborhoods
1.3 fauna

geography
geology

turbidites, point loma formation

on west side of peninsula there sandstone cliffs along ocean, called sunset cliffs. geologically these cliffs known point loma formation. contain fossils, including dinosaur fossils, late cretaceous period, 75 million years ago. formation represents 1 of few sites containing dinosaur fossils in state of california. overlying point loma formation late cretaceous deposit called cabrillo formation, crops out in various areas of point loma.

the top of peninsula flat, reaches elevation of 422 ft (129 m), , capped younger sandstone , conglomerate deposits pleistocene era, 1 million years or less in age. these flat-lying beds lie directly on top of gently dipping point loma , cabrillo formations. gap in sedimentary record, called angular unconformity, represents 70 million years of non-deposition and/or erosion.

the cliffs on ocean side of peninsula sheer , undergoing constant erosion due wave action. on east side land slopes san diego bay more gradually, homes , developments go right water s edge. @ northern end of peninsula cliffs , hills become lower, disappearing entirely in ocean beach , midway area, san diego river flows.

much of midway area former marshland has been filled in development. in fact, san diego river used flow through midway area san diego bay, isolating point loma san diego. because of fears san diego bay might silt up, river diverted present course north of point loma levee built in 1877. parts of liberty station , point loma village fill land, reclaimed sand spits , wetlands surrounding bay. remnant of formerly extensive wetlands in point loma, aside riverbed itself, city-owned nature preserve called famosa slough, branches off river near mouth.

neighborhoods

map of point loma , ocean beach

there several distinct neighborhoods in point loma peninsula. neighborhoods in point loma consist of single family homes. commercial , retail heart of peninsula called point loma village. retail establishments serve local residents yachting , sport fishing interests. streets in point loma village lined hundreds of jacaranda trees result of community beautification efforts. newest commercial , retail area found @ liberty station, site of former naval training center san diego, has residential , educational sections. midway district @ northern end of peninsula, adjacent san diego river , i-5 , i-8 freeways, commercial , industrial few small residential developments.

connected point loma village causeway shelter island, not island former sandbank in san diego bay. shelter island developed in 1950s after built dry land using material dredged bay. under control of port of san diego , contains hotels, restaurants, marinas, , public parkland.

the bayside residential area called la playa lies north of original la playa, beach commercial , military ships anchored during days of city. la playa includes of expensive homes in san diego. bayfront homes have private piers small boats. hills above la playa known wooded area on bay side of catalina boulevard (so called because of many mature trees in area), , college area on ocean side (because of proximity of point loma nazarene college). sunset cliffs neighborhood on west side, above ocean bluffs, , known views of pacific ocean.

roseville, named san diego pioneer louis rose, encompasses oldest settled part of peninsula. roseville separate town later absorbed san diego. many portuguese fishermen , fishing boat owners settled there more 100 years ago. people refer area tunaville because of association tuna-fishing fleet. hilly area above roseville known fleetridge, named developer david fleet, son of reuben h. fleet.

the bayside hills between rosecrans street , chatsworth boulevard north of nimitz boulevard known loma portal. distinctive feature of neighborhood location of street lights in middle of several street intersections instead of on sidewalk. loma portal lies directly in takeoff pattern planes lindbergh field, making home of point loma pause conversation ceases temporarily due airplane noise. east-west streets in roseville , loma portal known alphabetical author streets . streets named authors in alphabetical order addison zola, second partial cycle alcott lytton.

the northwest corner of peninsula, san diego river flows ocean, separate community known ocean beach. southern one-third of point loma peninsula entirely federal land, including naval base point loma, fort rosecrans national cemetery, , cabrillo national monument.

fauna

the area contains multiple species of wildlife, both in federal lands @ southern end of peninsula (managed in part ecological reserve) , in developed suburban areas. mammals include raccoons, skunks, possums, bats, rabbits, california ground squirrels, gray foxes, , occasional coyotes. more 300 species of birds have been observed in point loma, lies on pacific flyway migration route.