Shelter Island was a post-WWII sandbar with a city mandate requiring Polynesian architecture on all new buildings. Tom Ham took over a struggling tiki spot called Christian’s Hut in 1954, renamed it Bali Hai after the song from South Pacific, and built a legend. The restaurant quickly attracted Hollywood: Polynesian floorshows, Mai Tais so strong the house limit is two per person, panoramic views of San Diego Bay and the city skyline. The Mai Tai recipe hasn’t changed since the 1950s: no juice, no fluff, just Coruba dark rum, light rum, orange liqueur, orgeat, and sweet and sour. Bali Hai served its three millionth Mai Tai in 2024. Still family-owned by the third generation of the Baumann family, with the famous “Goof” tiki head presiding from the roof. Dock-and-dine access on the largest bayside dock in San Diego.
