Sprawling plans to transform busy California harbor into massive entertainment hub

The Port of San Diego has kicked off the public comment period for an ambitious redevelopment of East Harbor Island, with sprawling plans to transform the busy California harbor into a vibrant entertainment hub.

Following the release of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), the public now has until Aug. 24 to submit feedback on the project.

If approved, the massive redevelopment would transform a site across from the airport and adjacent to the Harbor Police Headquarters — currently used for surface parking, rental car operations and temporary airport construction support — into a premiere coastal destination.

The proposal features a 10.1-acre public waterfront park complete with a promenade, plazas, playgrounds, restrooms and public art, NBC reported.

Directly adjacent to the park, a 16.5-acre entertainment district is planned.

Topgolf is slated to anchor 9.8 acres in that section with its popular arcade and driving-range concept, while the remaining acreage will be reserved for future “eatertainment” venues selected through a competitive public bidding process.

To accommodate the influx of visitors, the proposal also calls for rearranging local infrastructure, including the realignment of Liberator Way, the addition of new public parking, sidewalks and planting buffers, and the reconfiguration of nearby intersections.

Port officials emphasized that no final approvals have been made yet. Comments collected during this public window will be used to shape the Final EIR.

Both the environmental report and a Port Master Plan Amendment are expected to come before the Board of Port Commissioners for a vote in late 2026, alongside a proposed lease agreement option for the Topgolf facility.

The draft EIR is available for public review online.