Coronado Beach

Coronado Beach is the perfect beach to spend an entire day or weekend sprawled out under an umbrella until the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean. Swim, bodyboard, or just fall asleep in the sun. Other activities include beach volleyball, tide pool exploration, and kite flying. A short distance from the beach is a bike path that begins just south of the Hotel Del Coronado and continues down the Silver Strand all the way to Imperial Beach. Watch for migrating whales January through March. Coronado Beach is also a great family beach with a wide expanse of sand and mostly calm surf that is perfect for youngsters to splash around in. Couples like this beach for long romantic walks at sunset followed by drinks at the Hotel Del Coronado.

For some, the elegant Hotel Del Coronado— a cultural centerpiece of San Diego — is the primary reason for visiting Coronado Beach. But this tiny upscale island city, separated from downtown San Diego by bridge, also boasts stately homes, upscale boutiques, trendy restaurants, and breathtaking views of Point Loma, the Pacific Ocean and downtown San Diego.

Coronado is also home to the U.S. Naval Amphibious Base and the North Island Naval Air Station. And don’t miss the July 4th festivities including fireworks and a hometown parade. And the town square frequently hosts art, music and food festivals.

Coronado Beach Insider Tips

To help plan your Coronado visit, stop by the Coronado Visitor Center located in the lobby of the
Coronado Historical Association and Museum of History & Art 1100 at Orange Ave. Coronado, CA 92118.

The Visitors Center is open Monday – Friday, 9am - 5pm and Saturday – Sunday, 10am - 5pm or call (619) 437-8788 and Toll-Free (866) 599-7242.

For walking and biking, visitors will discover that Centennial Park (near the ferry landing at the north end of Orange Avenue) is an excellent starting point. A wide concrete pathway runs east-west, affording dramatic views of downtown San Diego. You can rent bicycles near the Coronado Ferry Landing. Bike riders looking for a more challenging route can follow the same path south and east. At Tidelands Park, follow the pathway under the bridge, continue to Glorietta Boulevard, turn left, and continue until you see Pomona Avenue. Turn left on Pomona and continue to Silver Strand Highway, where you’ll soon see an asphalt pathway on the bayside. This pathway runs all the way to Imperial Beach! Riders of all abilities will enjoy this path. Stop along the way at Silver Strand State Beach. Round trip is over 20 miles, so be prepared with water and snacks.

Glorietta Bay Beach, south of the Hotel Del Coronado, is a nice alternative for families, offering the choice of both beach and playground in a park-like setting, with views of San Diego and the Coronado Bridge.

While visiting Coronado, be sure to take a stroll through the downtown village area to enjoy the upscale restaurants and shops at the corner of Orange and C Avenues… and if you’re not already staying at the Hotel Del Coronado, drop by at sunset for drinks on the ocean view terrace.

Coronado Beach Directions (Coronado Map)

Coronado is a short ferry ride or car trip across the San Diego Bay Bridge from downtown San Diego. From the Bay Bridge, travel several blocks on Third Street. Turn left onto Orange Avenue. Turn right onto R.H. Dana Place, which will take you to Ocean Boulevard. Coronado Municipal Beach runs along Ocean Boulevard from Avenida Lunar in the south to Naval Air Station North Island Gate 5 to the north. For those making their way leisurely across the bay, the ferry departs from downtown San Diego at the Broadway Pier. Bicycles are allowed onboard. You can get to Silver Strand State Beach by traveling south on I-5 from San Diego and exiting at Palm Avenue / Highway 75. Then go west on Palm and follow signs to Highway 75 and Silver Strand State Beach.