ESTABLISHED 1971

History of Tom Ham

 

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.

Now one of San Diego’s most recognized architectural landmarks, Tom’s legacy lives on. Today, his children run the restaurant and pursue Tom’s vision of capturing the California spirit with excellent dining, exceptional service, and unforgettable experiences.

tom hams
1955

Tom Ham arrives in San Diego. Fresh out of UCLA he rescues Bali Hai, a Shelter Island Restaurant struggling to make ends meet, and turns it into a success.

Tom hams 2
1969

Tom served as chairmen for San Diego’s 200th anniversary celebration.

Tom Hams ariel view
1971

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse opens in 1971. Drawing guests in from across the county with eye-catching views and big-band entertainment.

Outside of building with palm trees
1973

The family carries on the business after Tom’s passing.

Group of people in san diego by the ocean
2014

The restaurant undergoes a full renovation guided by the late architect, Graham Downes building upon Tom’s original vision. The first floor is turned into an event space and the seaside dinning patio is added.

Family Heritage

Tom created a tradition of passionate restauranteurs.  Suzie, his daughter, serves as CEO with Tom’s grandsons serving as general managers, overseeing daily operations and instilling the values Tom passed on within the life of our restaurants.

a building with a lighthouse attached and palm trees around it
USCG LIGHTHOUSE

Beacon #9

Having acquired the property to build the restaurant, Tom found himself facing the challenge of working around a functioning buoy on the easement. What would have caused many to abandon ship gave Tom a vision for the restaurant and an opportunity to explore. Tom visited lighthouses across the East Coast for inspiration and purchased his own fog bell to build incorporate the navigational beacon into his restaurant. To this day, our restaurant proudly features the USCG Beacon #9 in its architecture.