The legendary Hotel del Coronado in San Diego

Things to do in Coronado San Diego

By Stuart Bak

Connected to the California mainland by a sandy isthmus and (since 1969) a road bridge, Coronado is a sunny island resort nestled in the heart of San Diego Bay, just across the water from downtown. There’s stacks to do here, especially for families, from tide-pooling on the beach to touring the island by bike or on the Old Town Trolley. Hop aboard for our guide to the 10 best things to do in Coronado San Diego.

Spend a Night at the Hotel del Coronado

Perched right on the beachfront overlooking Point Loma, ‘The Del’ is a Coronado institution that has been welcoming presidents, celebrities and royalty since Victorian times. Former guests include Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable and Madonna; the hotel’s distinctive conical turrets are said to have inspired the Emerald City in L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; it’s even rumored that Prince Edward first met Coronado resident Wallis Simpson here at a 1920 banquet. And, naturally, a hotel of this vintage also has its very own ghost story. Rooms start north of $700 but a visit to the adjacent Ice House Museum for a walk through the hotel’s rich history is gratis.

Hit the Beach

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The long stretch of golden beach in front of The Del is great for families, thanks to its gentle waves, tide pools crammed with anemones, hermit crabs and sand dollars, and mineral-rich sand that actually glitters in the sun. Kids will love having a go at building their very own sparkling Emerald City sandcastles. Also look out for the legendary Sandcastle Man, who can often be found here on Coronado Central Beach building his extravagant and highly artistic sand sculptures. In the evening, use one of the public firepits to barbecue your own burgers and toast marshmallows as the sun sets over the Pacific.

Get on Your Bike

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Dedicated cycle paths snake around much of Coronado, making bike hire a great idea for family days out. The Bayshore Bikeway runs down the Silver Strand sand spit, and all the way back up into downtown San Diego, from where you can catch the Coronado Ferry back to your starting point. Expect swaying palms, wildlife reserves and sweeping views of the Pacific on this epic 24-mile ride. A shorter version that turns back before you hit the mainland may be the smarter option if you’re with kids, and there’s another more urban route around Coronado itself.

Visit Spreckels Park

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Named for Victorian entrepreneur John D. Spreckels, this park in the middle of Coronado is a beautiful green oasis amid the city streets. Families stop by to picnic beneath the trees, while kids live their best lives in the large playground. In summer, the gazebo bandstand bursts into life every Sunday as part of a series of free concerts that run the gamut from marching bands to high-energy pop acts. Local artists showcase their work at the Art in the Park event on alternate Sundays while the Coronado Flower Show brings thousands of colorful fragrant blooms to the park every April.

Ride the Old Town Trolley

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Hop aboard one of San Diego’s brightly colored trolley buses for a whistle-stop narrated tour of the top attractions in Coronado and Downtown. Taking in Coronado Beach and the Hotel del Coronado, the bus then cruises over the bay to visit several more locations on the mainland, including the historic Gaslamp Quarter and sprawling Balboa Park, home to San Diego Zoo and many of the city’s top museums. You can hop on and off the trolley at your leisure along the route.

Discover the Local History

Take a deep dive into Coronado’s past at the Coronado Museum, where a huge collection of art, photographs and other exhibits tell the story of island life since the 1880s. The museum also runs a weekly walking tour of some of Coronado’s most important locations, including Orange Avenue and, of course, the Hotel del Coronado. The leisurely tour, in which a knowledgeable local historian will point out interesting architecture and wow you with fascinating anecdotes, lasts around 90 minutes and covers approximately two miles.

Shop the Farmers’ Market

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Hit up the weekly farmers’ market at Coronado Ferry Landing for your fix of all things fresh and wholesome. Here’s your chance to taste sweet organic tomatoes fresh from the vine, and crisp, zingy apples that have ripened on the branch. The whole operation is certified farm-fresh, so you just know there’s going to be more flavor packed into that single strawberry than in any number of mass-produced punnets at the mall. You’ll also find beautiful fresh blooms and countless homemade oils, pickles, condiments and jams. Delicious.

Take to the Water

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The relatively tranquil waters off Coronado make it ideal for trying out some of those watersports you’ve always fancied having a go at. Grab a kayak and paddle your way around the island’s scenic shores. Or get to grips with a stand-up paddleboard. Like surfing, but gentler, this increasingly popular activity can be surprisingly relaxing once you’ve got the hang of it. Try not to be put off your stride by pelicans dive-bombing the water for their lunch!

Treat Yourself on Orange Avenue

Saunter along flower-filled Orange Avenue, a broad street packed with bougie boutiques, cute cafés, local artisan jewelers and more. There’s plenty to see and do along this mile-long stretch that runs all the way from Bayside to the Hotel del Coronado. Pick up a unique souvenir at the Coronado Museum Store, take in a show at the intimate Lamb’s Players Theatre and sample some of San Diego’s famous craft beers at the Coronado Brewpub.

Take the Ferry Downtown

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Hands down the most romantic way to reach downtown San Diego from Coronado is on the quaint old ferry that chugs back and forth throughout the day. Time your trip for around sunset to get the most magical views as you pull in to dock by the legendary USS Midway aircraft carrier. From here, it’s just a short stroll into the Gaslamp Quarter or Little Italy to enjoy some of the best nightlife (and pizza!) in town.

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Bronze lion statue at the entrance to San Diego Zoo
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The Best Time to Visit San Diego Zoo

Located in Balboa Park, a vast expanse of parkland located just north of downtown, San Diego Zoo is home to thousands of animals and is one of the most visited zoos in the United States, so it’s important to plan your visit accordingly. Spot tigers, hippos and gorillas in the Lost Forest and visit the Komodo Kingdom to get your giant lizard fix. There are also Arctic landscapes, massive tropical aviaries and over 700,000 exotic plants to explore. In short, it’s impossible to see all 100 acres of it in a single day, even with the help of the guided bus tour and Skyfari cable car. Get the lowdown on how to dodge the crowds and maximize your time at San Diego Zoo with our guide to the best times to visit. Best time to visit San Diego Zoo The best time to visit the zoo is on weekday mornings, when crowds are thinner and the animals are at their most active. This is also the time of day you’re most likely to see them feeding. It’s a fair bit busier on weekends but mornings are still the best time to go, especially on hot days when the critters will be more inclined to hide out in shady spots to avoid the midday sun. Those hotter afternoons are best spent exploring the Lost Forest aviaries, where dense foliage helps keep temperatures more bearable and animals more active. We also recommend taking the bus tour early in the day as long lines form for this from around 11AM onwards. Top tip: kids go free every October, making it a great time for families to visit.   In brief... If you’re planning a visit to San Diego Zoo, aim to arrive by opening time (9AM) on weekdays to see animals at their most active in the morning and avoid some of the queues that tend to start developing from around 11AM. Yes, you’ll have to negotiate the city’s morning rush hour but, trust us, it'll be worth it to maximize your time in the zoo and have the very best experience possible. Get the Go City attraction pass to make big savings when visiting this and other top attractions in San Diego! Grab whichever San Diego pass suits you, and go exploring!
Stuart Bak
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San Diego Neighborhood Guide

San Diego is a delightful vacation destination. Filled with top-notch cultural attractions, exciting sports teams, and sunny, sandy beaches—San Diego's neighborhood variety makes it practically perfect. It’s also, however, quite large, making it difficult to truly tackle the whole city in one single vacation. The best way to handle San Diego on any one single vacation is to target your explorations on a specific neighborhood or two to really get to know those areas. You’ll be able to visit more attractions in each neighborhood, too, since you’ll be cutting down on transit time by sticking within a few core areas. To help you plan your San Diego vacation, we’ve put together this helpful guide to the major neighborhoods in San Diego, including those that technically lie outside the city limits. And because you’re probably also looking for things to do in those neighborhoods, we’ve listed a few of the best attractions in each area, too. If you’re hoping to make one of these neighborhoods your home base, we also recommend a few for San Diego hotels, including: La Jolla Gaslamp Quarter Old Town Little Italy North Park Hillcrest And more! These neighborhoods are organized alphabetically. Carlsbad Coronado East Village A trendy downtown neighborhood anchored by the striking PETCO Park, you’ll find most of the bars and restaurants clustered around the ballpark. There are also, however, a number of top San Diego breweries in the area, so beer drinkers might want to check it out, too. Encinitas About 26 miles north of downtown, this neighborhood is artsy without being too rough around the edges. There are some great beaches here, as well as many shops and restaurants along Highway 101. Check out the San Diego Botanic Garden if you’re into plants or play a round of golf just to enjoy the outdoors. Gaslamp Quarter Hillcrest La Jolla Little Italy Mission Hills While predominantly residential, Mission Hills is also home to a wide variety of shops and restaurants, with something to please every palate. You can find everything from diners to chic New American cuisine, plus plenty of retail off the Pacific Highway. The “hotel circle” of budget hotels is also found around here and is a good place to look for deals. North Park This trendy neighborhood is populated by beer gardens and breweries, shops and boutiques, restaurants and food trucks—you name it, North Park probably has a few. Visitors can also enjoy many art galleries and a monthly evening art walk called Ray at Night. The San Diego hotels here are good for those looking to stay in a happening area. Ocean Beach A typical, laid-back beach town, Ocean Beach is filled with the best beachy things like surf shops, outdoor cafés, great dog parks, and more. It’s just north of Point Loma (with its historic lighthouse and famous tide pools) and a just south of the ever-popular Belmont Park. A charming little area, OB is also a nice place to look for hotels. Old Town San Diego Pacific Beach Right by the boardwalk, this beachfront neighborhood is known for its collection of casual bars, restaurants, and shops. If you’re interested in dining here, you can enjoy Mexican street food, French haute cuisine, or California casual fare. It’s a great place to hang out as an adult couple, or with friends. Save on Things to do in San Diego Once you’ve figured out what you want to do in San Diego and where you want to target your explorations, you’re sure to be looking for good deals. Save up to 55% on attraction admission with a Go San Diego pass. Visit the most popular attractions across the neighborhoods listed here, including many museums, tours, cruises, and so much more with a San Diego attraction pass! Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity or use the hashtag #GoCityPass in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination, too!
Katie Sagal

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