Tom Ham's Lighthouse

Tom Ham loved adventure. A renowned amateur historian and UCLA graduate, he came to San Diego in 1955 to build his dream. After turning Bali Hai, a struggling Shelter Island restaurant at the time, into a vibrant success, he turned his passion for great experiences toward a new venture: the Lighthouse.

It all began with a walk along Shelter Island. Tom foresaw a booming future for San Diego and envisioned a restaurant fit to savor the view for years to come.

Perhaps it was the charm of a functioning beacon along the property or just his love for ambitious projects that drew him in, in either case Tom found the perfect place to build his next dream. He infused his love of California history and adventure into the design of his restaurant, shaping it in the form of the state itself and incorporating the working Beacon #9 into the design with his very own fog bell.