Coronado Beach, CA: Planning Your Visit

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Coronado is one of the most charming beach communities in San Diego. It’s best known for the famous Hotel del Coronado and its beautiful beaches. If you’re planning a visit to San Diego, Coronado should be high up on your priority list of places to visit.

Personally, I think Coronado has the best beaches in San Diego. But the La Jolla beaches come in second (and sometimes have less windchill than Coronado). So, if you have enough time in town, I’d recommend checking those our too.

Here’s everything you need to know about the different Coronado beaches.

How To Get To Coronado Beach

Despite Coronado often being referred to as an island, it’s actually not. You can stay on land to get there by going south on the 5 freeway all the way to Imperial Beach, then driving on “the strand” back north to Coronado. Ocean Boulevard is a scenic route that runs along the beach and provides access to popular beach spots.

The more fun way, in my opinion, is taking the Coronado Bridge, which offers beautiful bay and downtown views while crossing the San Diego Bay to get to Coronado.

A third option is taking a 15-minute ferry ride from Downtown San Diego across the bay to Coronado. The ferry arrives at the Ferry Landing Marketplace, which features numerous shops and fine restaurants, making it a popular destination for both tourists and locals.

Beaches in Coronado

Coronado beaches are consistently voted some of America’s best beaches, and for good reason. You’ll find miles of beautiful, sandy coastline in Coronado–some that you can even camp at. There’s enough sand to play any of your favorite beach games. Coronado Beach is widely considered one of the top family-friendly beaches in America, offering a variety of fun activities for all ages. And if you’re lucky, you might even come across some sand dollars when you visit. My kids love searching for sand dollars and can often find several.

Coronado Central Beach

This 1.5-mile stretch of sand, known as the main Coronado Beach or Coronado Central Beach, runs along the Hotel del Coronado in a central location and has been voted one of the best North American beaches time and time again. It definitely tops my list of the best beaches in all of California.

Coronado Central Beach is the widest beach in San Diego County, providing ample space for various activities even on crowded days. At Central Beach, you’ll find amenities such as bathrooms, showers, fire rings, and lifeguards on duty year round. Public restrooms and showers are conveniently located near the Central Beach and North Beach lifeguard towers. You can also access food and drinks nearby at the Hotel Del.

Public beach volleyball courts are available at Central Beach for those interested in active recreation.

Parking at Coronado Central Beach consists of free street parking along Ocean Boulevard (though it fills up quickly during summer weekends). Or you can opt to pay for self parking or valet parking at the Hotel Del.

Coronado Beach is open daily from 6 a.m. to sunset and is best visited in late summer through early fall for warm water and smaller crowds. The main Coronado Beach is especially popular for families, surfers, and swimmers. And there are designated zones for swimming and surfing to ensure everyone’s safety. The calm waters here are ideal for beginner surfing lessons, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Diving is also possible, but visitors should always check with lifeguards for current safety conditions.

Coronado Shores – Our Favorite Coronado Beach

My family’s personal favorite Coronado beach is Coronado Shores. Just south of the Hotel Del, Coronado Shores is also known as South Beach. Heading south past the Del on Strand Way, you will turn right on Avenida de la Arenas. You drive past a security kiosk for the condos, and you will find a parking lot right at the beach. If that is full, there is another lot behind the condos.

We love Coronado Shores because parking tends to be a bit easier. If both of the lots are full, you can park across the street at the bay and then cross at the crosswalk. Bathrooms can be tricky, but there are some across the street by the bay.

Another bonus of this beach is that it is home to the SS Monte Carlo Shipwreck. During very low tide, you can see and explore the remnants of this floating casino ship that sank in 1936. Low tide is the ideal time for tide pooling and exploring tide pools around the wreck.

Silver Strand State Beach

Further south, on the Coronado strand, you will find the Silver Strand State Beach, an excellent place for fishing, relaxing, and enjoying a wide range of water activities. If you choose not to take the bridge into Coronado, this strand is what you will drive on to access Coronado from Imperial Beach.

Fishing is permitted at Silver Strand State Beach, and all California State laws apply to fishing activities. The beach offers a variety of activities including sunbathing, sailing, paddle boarding, kayaking, beach volleyball, and surfing, making it a versatile destination for all beachgoers. Boating activities are also available, and it is important to use boats responsibly to ensure safety for everyone.

There is camping available at Silver Strand State Beach, but reservations can be hard to get. There are also bathrooms, showers and fire pits available.

You’ll find four large parking lots at Silver Strand State Beach, but you will need to pay for parking (parking ranges from $12- $20).

Coronado Dog Beach

If you’re traveling with your 4-legged companions, you’ll definitely want to visit Dog Run Beach, located at the north end of Coronado Beach, also known as North Beach. This designated off-leash area is adjacent to Sunset Park and near the North Island Navy Base, making it a popular spot for dog owners seeking a pet-friendly beach experience.

Please note that dogs are not allowed on any other area of Coronado Beach except at Dog Beach, where they can roam off-leash. Service animals trained to provide assistance to individuals with disabilities are permitted in accordance with ADA guidelines.

Amenities at Dog Run Beach in Coronado include bathrooms, showers, and fire pits. There is also a grassy park just across the street (Sunset Park), although dogs do need to be on a leash at the park.

Free street parking is available on Ocean Blvd., and we tend to have better luck finding spots here than some of the other beaches in Coronado.

Glorietta Bay Park

Just across from Coronado Shores Beach, you will find Glorietta Bay Park, which is adjacent to Glorietta Bay Beach. Glorietta Bay Beach, located on the inland side of Coronado Island, is a popular spot to relax. And it offers stunning views of the Coronado Bridge and the San Diego skyline. Besides beautiful views, this Coronado bay offers a parking lot, restrooms, seasonal lifeguards, grass, picnic tables, a bike path and watercraft rentals.

Tidelands Park

Right after you come over the Coronado Bridge, you will find Tidelands Park. This is the largest of the San Diego Bay parks, and offers beautiful views of the Coronado bridge and downtown San Diego.

You’ll find restrooms and picnic tables at this bay park, along with nearby food and drink options. And there is a parking lot that is free for all visitors.

Coronado Beach Rules

Coronado is an entirely smoke-free city. There is no smoking in public areas anywhere on the island. There is also no alcohol allowed on the beach, although you can order adult beverages when you use a Hotel Del beach rental.

Littering is strictly prohibited on the beach, rocks, walkways, park areas, or adjacent parking areas. Certain activities are not allowed on designated walkways to promote safety for all visitors. Any gathering of more than 25 people requires a permit from the Coronado Recreation Department. It is a misdemeanor to fail to follow the lawful order of a lifeguard or to provide false information to a lifeguard. In case of an emergency at the beach, visitors should dial 911 for immediate assistance.

Because of the proximity to the Naval Base, you cannot fly any objects in Coronado, including kite and balloons.

Dining in Coronado

Coronado is a charming oceanfront community, offering a delightful mix of dining and shopping experiences perfect for families. From fine dining restaurants to grab-and-go delis, there is no shortage of dining options for after your Coronado beach day—whether you’re craving something classic or just what you’re looking for to satisfy your appetite.

Families will find plenty of options suitable for all ages, including local favorites like The Henry, known for its diverse menu, and Village Pizzeria, which serves East Coast style pizza and Italian dishes. You’ll also find plenty of places to enjoy a sweet treat. For coffee, Better Buzz is a local favorite. If you want Mexican food, check out Miguel’s Cocina where you’ll find the best queso dip (Seriously! I go just for this). And our favorite spot for a sweet treat is Moo Time Creamery on Orange Ave.

After a fun-filled day at the beach, take a relaxing stroll along Orange Avenue or the waterfront, especially at sunset, to soak in the beautiful views. Sunset Park features a playground, making it a great spot for families with children to unwind and play.

There are a ton of other San Diego family restaurants not far from Coronado, but you’d need to head back over the bridge to get there.

Shopping in Coronado

Shopping is a favorite pastime for many, and there is no shortage of it on Coronado. Orange Avenue is known for its wide selection of shops ranging from high-end boutiques to souvenir shops, and from candle shops to book stores, and more. You can find more shops inside the Hotel del Coronado as well.

Where to Stay in Coronado

Even though you won’t find any hotels with waterslides in Coronado, you have quite a few options when it comes to staying on Coronado—it just depends on how much you are willing and able to spend.

The famous Hotel del Coronado is the most obvious choice, located right next to the main Coronado Beach. This hotel is one of the best beachfront resorts in San Diego. If you stay there, you’ll be right in the heart of Coronado and have easy access to beaches, restaurants, and shopping. And if you visit in the winter time, you might get to see the Hotel Del decorated for the holidays. In fact, it’s one of the best Christmastime hotels in the U.S.

Another upscale option that tends to be a little less expensive than the Hotel Del is Loews Coronado Bay Resort. This resort is located further south on the strand, and is about a 5-minute walk to Silver Strand State Beach. It offers on-site dining, watercraft rentals, and on-site spa services.

The Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa is located near Tidelands Park, and won’t set you back as much as the first two options I listed. Or you can stay right across from the Hotel del Coronado, at the Coronado Beach Resort. The Best Western Plus Suites on Hotel Coronado Island is also a popular option.

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