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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San Diego Public Transportation San Diego and its surrounding areas have accessible and affordable public transit systems that include trolleys, buses, trains, and shuttles. Within San Diego The trolleys provide service from key locations in the downtown area while buses are great for navigating beyond downtown San Diego. A Big Bay Shuttle runs seasonally (between Memorial and Labor Day) and provides hop-on hop-off service along San Diego’s Embarcadero waterfront area with an all-day pass. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, SDMTS, consists of 3 trolley lines: The Blue Line runs between the Mexican border through Downtown and Old Town The Orange line connects the Downtown area to eastern parts of San Diego through Lemon Grove and El Cajon The Green Line runs from Old Town through Mission Valley, San Diego State University, and Santee. Check the SDMTS website for up-to-date detailed trolley maps and timetables. The SDMTS also includes a bus system that offers 89 different routes. The buses are easy to use and are a reliable way to get around to areas of San Diego that the trolley does not service. Check the SDMTS website for up-to-date bus route maps, schedules, and trip planning resources. The Plan Your Trip tool on the SDMTS website is also super helpful for visitors. Plug in where you'd like to go and easily find which buses or trains will take you there the quickest. Beyond San Diego Taxis & Cars You'll never need to worry about hailing a cab in San Diego! Taxis are widely available in San Diego but can be expensive. Base fares and rates are displayed on the meter and you are typically charged on a per mile basis. There are taxi stands at the airport, most hotels, and plenty of the most popular San Diego attractions. If you plan to visit attractions outside of downtown San Diego frequently, renting a car is probably a more convenient option. The freeway system is easy to navigate and you'll be able to make it to all ends of the expansive city. Be sure to leave time to find parking downtown and account for parking fees at select attractions. Many rental car services include a convenient pick-up service at San Diego area hotels as well. It is also important to note that many rental services require that the driver is 25 years of age or older. San Diego by Bike Hop On Hop Off Trolley Traveling from the San Diego International Airport (SAN) Save on attraction admission Consider using a pass for San Diego with Go City® - which includes admission to dozens of the area's most popular attractions - all for one low price. See all available San Diego attractions, passes & prices. A San Diego pass will save you on combined admission vs paying at the gate.
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