Coronado beach in San Diego is one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States by Jules Romero.
You can find the highly-praised Coronado Beach steps away from the famous Hotel del Coronado. Located on the ocean side of Coronado Island, the beach is ideal for catching waves, going for a dip, or quietly snoozing under the sun.
Coronado Beach, consistently being ranked as one of the top beaches in America, is famous for its exquisite white sand and clear ocean waters. Its features attract both locals and tourists alike.
It’s a fantastic place to play, relax, and watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. With lots of things to do, you’ll never get bored. You can play beach volleyball and even watch whales during the winter months.
Today, we’re going to give you a full guide to everything you need to know about Coronado Beach.
Getting to Coronado Beach From San Diego
If you are not in San Diego check out the best domestic flight deals.
If you’re driving, take the Coronado Bay Bridge. It’s an extraordinarily tall bridge, built high enough to allow even the most massive military ships to pass under it. If you look out, the height may scare some people. Luckily, the trip is short. Follow the road as it curves left, then take a left turn onto Orange Avenue.
If you’d rather skip the bridge, you can take the Coronado Ferry from the San Diego waterfront to Ferry Landing. Do note that it departs from the Broadway Pier at 990 N. Harbor Drive or the San Diego Convention Center found at 600 Convention Way. If you prefer a more private trip, you can even hire a water taxi.
The walk from the Ferry Landing to Hotel del Coronado is about 1.5 miles, which shouldn’t take too long at a leisurely pace. You could also choose to rent a bike from the Ferry Marketplace if you prefer.
Lastly, the San Diego Trolley Tours stop at the Coronado Ferry Landing in downtown Coronado. It also makes stops at other city sights. It’s an excellent option to consider if you’d like to avoid driving and the hassles of finding parking.
Where to Stay
There is one definitive resort that is widely recommended by tourists: the Hotel del Coronado.
The North Island Naval Air Station occupies the upper half of Coronado. Due to its size, many may presume it is the star of Coronado. That isn’t the case. The flamboyant Hotel del Coronado is what many tourists consider to be the island’s undisputed star.
Known by most simply as “The Del,” Hotel del Coronado was built entirely of wood in 1887. The iconic red-roof rotunda of the hotel remains an architectural wonder.
Many visitors flock to the Del due to its prime oceanfront location. The 757-room hotel is an ideal spot for kicking back and enjoying some undiluted San Diego surf and sun.
The hotel connects to the vast, sandy beach of Coronado. Many guests spend their time frolicking around, soaking up the sun, and even building sandcastles.
Coronado is a public beach, meaning anyone who wants to visit can. Those who stay at the Hotel del Coronado, however, get a few extra perks such as nightly campfires for cooking marshmallows and their very own beach butler service. Seriously!
Activities in Coronado Beach
Whether you’re looking for a laid-back vacation or an action-packed weekend, there are activities for you to partake of. While you’re at Coronado Beach, these are a few things you may consider doing:
- Go for a stroll. Downtown Coronado is known as a small town with some fun stores to visit and a variety of restaurants to eat at. Take a hike through the nearby neighborhoods. Less urbanized than most cities, Coronado is filled with lovely houses and flourishing flower gardens. Once you’re done walking around downtown Coronado, the main beach is just a couple of blocks away.
- Relax at Coronado Beach. Coronado Beach is known as one of the best of San Diego’s beaches. Flat and wide, the beach is covered by clean, fine sand. Take a walk along the ocean’s edge or keep the sand out of your toes and opt to use the paved walking path instead.
- Ride a bike. Coronado Beach provides up to fifteen miles of bike paths along the ocean. It’s a beautiful sight. You can rent a bike from various places such as bike shops on Orange Avenue, the Hotel del Coronado, or at the Ferry Landing Marketplace.
- Visit the Hotel del Coronado. The Del is a landmark on its own. Even though you aren’t checked in here, you should still give it a visit. You can browse through extensive history exhibits, and photography exhibits downstairs. If you’re hungry, you can enjoy a meal at the restaurant on the hotel’s terrace.
- Take a Tour in Coronado Beach. If you’d like to get around Coronado but don’t know where to start, a guided walking tour can help you out.
- Visit Ferry Landing & Tidelands Park. The marketplace at Ferry Landing has more than 20 restaurants, shops, and art galleries. Visitors and locals can enjoy the marketplace or the views at Tidelands Park.
- Watch Dogs Surf. A favorite of most visitors is the dog surfing competitions. Yes, you can watch dogs on surfboards.
Venture Off the Island
There’s more to Coronado’s waterfront than just beach-going. On the southern end of the island, tourists can visit the Glorietta Bay Marina. It’s a one-stop-shop for boat rentals and a hub for sailing lessons, jet skiing, and kayak paddling.
References
Alex Schechter May 05, & Schechter, A. (2017, May 05). A Guide to Vacationing on Coronado Island. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/coronado-island
Coronado Beach San Diego Information Guide. (2020, February 20). Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://www.trolleytours.com/san-diego/coronado-beach
Enjoy the Small-Town Charms of Coronado. (2019, October 30). Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://www.houstoniamag.com/travel-and-outdoors/2019/10/coronado-california-beach-guide
Malloy, B. (n.d.). Plan Your Perfect Day on Coronado Island. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://www.tripsavvy.com/coronado-island-1476121
