Coronado Island
Travel Guide

Pretty beaches, Hotel del Coronado, and more near downtown San Diego.

The exclusive beach community of Coronado is just across the bay from Downtown San Diego. It’s where my readers and clients ask to stay the most, thanks to the iconic beachfront Hotel del Coronado.

Coronado also makes an excellent day or half-day trip on a San Diego itinerary. Below, I’ve collected my best Coronado travel tips, guides to Coronado Island attractions, and information about where to stay.

Hi, I’m Katie and I’m a San Diego-based travel advisor. I’ll show you the best hotels, beaches, tours, places to eat, and other things to do.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND HERE

Coronado Hotels

Things To Do

Neighborhoods

What To Eat

Beaches

Coronado with Kids

Resources

Getting To & Around

Travel Tips

FAQ

All Articles

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My Favorite Coronado Island Hotels

This neighborhood makes an amazing home base whether you’ve traveled to San Diego from far away or you need a change of scenery. While the most famous hotel in Coronado is arguably the majestic Hotel del Coronado (definitely read my guide if you plan to stay there), there are other accommodations in the area worth checking out. See my list of best Coronado Island hotels.

Get Our VIP Perks at These Hotels

Hotel del Coronado

San Diego’s best beachfront resort, hands down. Fresh off of a $550 million renovation with tons to do.

LJM Perks:

$100 hotel credit
Daily breakfast for two
Upgrade at time of booking & extended check-in/out times if available

Beach Village at The Del

The most luxurious enclave inside The Del that’s set up like beachfront residences with a la carte access to Ocean Club.

LJM Perks:

$150-450 hotel credit
Daily breakfast for two
Extended check-in/out times if available

Shore House at The Del

A u-shaped boutique hotel within The Del that we like for families thanks to the zero-entry pool and larger villas.

LJM Perks:

$150-450 hotel credit
Daily breakfast for two
Extended check-in/out times if available

Read My Reviews

Premium king interior with view of Hotel del Coronado.

The Bower Coronado

Coronado Island Marriott

swimming pool with outdoor chess at Loews Coronado

Loews Coronado Bay

Glorietta Bay Inn

1906 Lodge

Hotel Marisol

Best Hotels in Coronado

Research and Book Coronado Hotels on your own

We offer two tools if you’d like to research hotels with VIP programs on your own.

In both cases, you’ll need to understand the occupancy and bedding of the room or suite you’re booking. You can find this information on a hotel’s website directly. We’ll receive your reservation within minutes and will follow up to help make sure everything is correct.

Virtuoso

You will need to create a free account and log in to see the most accurate rates.

Book with Virtuoso

TravelWits

This tool allows you to see other VIP rates, such as Four Seasons Preferred Partner and Hyatt Prive, in addition to Virtuoso.

Book with TravelWits

Fun Things to Do in Coronado, California

Coronado is close enough to Balboa Park and Downtown while offering plenty of activities for all travelers to enjoy, making it one of the easiest neighborhoods for tourists who want to skip car rentals. It’s also a popular day trip destination from other parts of San Diego.

The Most Popular Coronado Activities

Hotel del Coronado Activities
Coronado Main Beach & Silver Strand State Beach
Coronado Ferry
Tide Pools (seasonal)
Sand Castle Building Lessons
Water Sports on the Bay and Surfing Lessons
Bike Rentals

Even if you’re staying elsewhere in San Diego, plan on spending a day here. There are lots of things to do in Coronado, whether you want to spend time outdoors or enjoy a little culture.

Other Coronado Activities

Stroll along the waterfront park, fish off the pier, build a sand castle at the beach, go tide pooling, or explore the Coronado Farmers Market on Tuesdays. You can even walk on a sunken ship on a handful of days per year! The SS Monte Carlo, which was famously used for illicit activities, drifted onto the beach during a storm in 1937 and no one claimed it. During very low tides in winter, the skeleton of the ship emerges from the water, and you can get a closer look.

Renting a bike makes getting around easy if you want to hit the various gift shops for souvenirs. There are also bike tours that will take you past the Hotel del Coronado, under the Coronado Bridge, and to so many other photo-worthy spots. You can also see the sights while burning some calories by paddling up and down the Silver Strand in a kayak or take to the streets on a Segway.

Need to get out of the sun? Spend some time in the Coronado Museum of History and Art, which has both permanent exhibits and changing displays showcasing the art, architecture, history, and life of the neighborhood since the 1880s.

best things to do in Coronado

Coronado Island Neighborhoods

When you’re considering where to stay on Coronado Island, it’s helpful to know a bit about each neighborhood. That way, you can book rooms that are close to the Coronado attractions you want to see or in a part of the island that you’ll enjoy.

Historic Downtown (Coronado Village)

The Hotel del Coronado is located in Coronado Village. This central neighborhood is the heart of Coronado Island and is known for its historic charm, vibrant shopping and dining options, and close proximity to Coronado Central Beach, where the hotel is situated. Staying in Coronado Village provides easy access to many of the island’s attractions, with the Hotel del Coronado being one of the most iconic landmarks in the area.
Bayside & Ferry Landing

The Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa is located in the Ferry Landing neighborhood. This area is known for its stunning views of the San Diego skyline, easy access to the Coronado Ferry, and a vibrant selection of waterfront shops and restaurants. Staying at the Coronado Island Marriott offers a blend of resort amenities and convenience, especially for those looking to explore both Coronado Island and downtown San Diego.
Silver Strand & The Cays

Loews Coronado Bay Resort is located in the Coronado Cays neighborhood. This area is a bit more secluded compared to other parts of Coronado Island, offering a resort-style experience with beautiful waterfront views and close proximity to Silver Strand State Beach. The Cays are known for their luxury homes, marina access, and a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere, making it an ideal location for those seeking a peaceful and upscale stay.
Glorietta Bay

The Glorietta Bay Inn is located in the Glorietta Bay neighborhood. This area is adjacent to Coronado Village and offers a scenic, peaceful environment with beautiful views of the bay. The inn itself is a historic property, providing easy access to nearby attractions such as the Hotel del Coronado, Coronado Yacht Club, and Glorietta Bay Park. It’s an excellent choice for visitors who want to enjoy a serene waterfront experience while still being close to the amenities and activities in Coronado Village.
North Island Naval Air Station

The North Island Naval Air Station area primarily caters to military personnel and their families, offering lodging options such as Navy Gateway Inns & Suites and Navy Lodge North Island. These accommodations are available to those with military connections and provide convenient access to base amenities. For general public accommodations, nearby neighborhoods like Coronado Village or Ferry Landing offer a wider selection of hotels.
South Island

The South Island neighborhood offers a more residential and less touristy experience, ideal for visitors who want to enjoy Coronado like a local. It’s a peaceful area with fewer crowds, hidden dining gems, and easy access to outdoor activities at Tidelands Park and the Coronado Municipal Golf Course. This makes it perfect for those who enjoy biking, jogging, and a quieter atmosphere.

Where and What to Eat

Some of the very best Coronado restaurants can be found inside the historic Hotel del Coronado, and you don’t need to stay at the hotel to enjoy these dining options. But don’t limit yourself to the hotel. Coronado has great restaurants with everything from seafood and steaks to burgers, barbecue, and Baja cuisine.

You’ll find lots of eateries with menus featuring fresh produce from San Diego’s farms, seasonal and organic ingredients, and vegetarian-friendly options. You can dine with water views and all are family friendly. There is everything you could possibly want here, including delicious sweets and amazing coffee.

We seek out:

Nobu
Little Frenchie
Serea
Clayton’s
Peohe
Mootime Creamery
Tartine
The Henry
Garage Bueno Forchetta

Best Restaurants in Coronado

Going to the Beach in Coronado

Coronado’s white sandy beaches have been voted some of the best in the entire country. Most visitors to the area go to Coronado Central Beach in front of the Hotel Del Coronado because it’s so broad, and there’s plenty of room to spread out. The sand here is amazing and sparkles with shimmery flecks of gold mica. The water is also usually calm.

There are also (sometimes) less busy, equally beautiful beaches to check out, like North Beach. It’s also called Coronado Dog Beach because pups can roam leash-free year-round at its north end. The most family-friendly beach may be Glorietta Bay Park beach, which has a playground and is located in a protected spot in the bay.

Remember, no matter which Coronado beach you visit, parking will be tough if you’re in the area during peak beach season. The best thing you can do is either walk from your hotel, take an Uber, or go early if you have to drive.

Coronado Beach Alerts

Ocean water is tested with a rigorous system. When bacteria levels are high, the County closes the ocean for swimming. Warnings and closures can occur after rainfall, but can also trigger without rain. Run-off from the Tijuana River can impact Coronado beaches, especially Silver Strand State Beach, about four miles south of Coronado Main Beach.

The ocean opens and closes without warning, so as a result, the hotels do not keep guests (and it is difficult for us to do the same) up to speed on the status of ocean swimming. Always check sdbeachinfo.com for the latest information. The sand on the beach remains open when the ocean is closed, so you can still play beach games and sunbathe.

best beaches in Coronado

Visiting Coronado with Kids

Most families we work with who are looking for a beach vacation ask about Coronado Island first. It’s usually because they want to stay at Hotel del Coronado, San Diego’s largest beach resort with the most activities.

Even if you don’t stay there, Coronado is still a pretty great place for families thanks to its beaches and small town vibe. Kids are welcome nearly everywhere and will enjoy the water sports like SUP, surfing, jet skiing, and more. Plus there are plenty of free public parks with playgrounds and even a skate park.

Coronado With Kids

Resources

Sightseeing in and around Coronado can be done with passes and a little planning.

Go City San Diego

Save up to 50% on over 50 attractions including Coronado Ferry and water sports rentals. Use promo code GOSDO5LJM for 5%.

Use Go City

CityPASS

Includes San Diego Zoo, USS Midway, Seaworld, LEGOLAND and a few others people staying in Coronado tend to see.

Use Citypass San Diego

Old Town Trolley

The Old Town Trolley can pick you up on Orange Avenue not too far from Hotel del Coronado and take you to Old Town and multiple other stops!

Hop on the trolley

The Gondola Company

You don’t have to go to Venice, you can take a fun ride with a gondolier in Coronado Cays near Loews.

Take a Gondola Ride

Getting To & Around Coronado Island

For more details, see our guide for how to get to Coronado Island.

THE CORONADO BRIDGE

Head over by car across the famous Coronado Bridge or through Imperial Beach. Uber works well from the airport.

RENT BIKES OR GOLF CARTS

Skipping cars is encouraged on the island. Riding bikes or renting golf carts to get around anyway is more fun!

Holland’s Bikes
Wheel Fun Rentals
Coronado Golf Carts (reserve four-person, six-person, or eight-person golf carts) ←(these links should trigger a pop up light frame on the staging site)

CORONADO Ferry

The 15-minute ride between Coronado and Downtown costs $9. Buy tickets.

Circuit Ride Share

Circuit offers free, sometimes shared, rides across the island and even down to Silver Strand. Download the app.

Approximate Drive Times to Other Parts of San Diego County

San Diego Zoo

6 miles

~15 minutes

LEGOLAND California

35 miles

~45 minutes

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

40 miles

~50 minutes

Sesame Place San Diego

19 miles

~25 minutes

La Jolla Cove

16 miles

~30 minutes

Del Mar Village

26 miles

~35 minutes

Downtown San Diego (Petco Park)

5 miles

~10 minutes

San Diego International Airport (SAN)

9 miles

~15 minutes

Santa Fe Depot (Amtrak Station)

5 miles

~10 minutes

Tijuana Border

14 miles

~25 minutes

Coronado Island Travel Tips

VISITOR CENTER

Stop in to ask questions and tour the museum (free) at 1100 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118.

Rental Cars

Most people who stay in Coronado have rental cars. However, it’s possible to go carless using the method listed above. You can also rent from the Enterprise Car rental on Orange Avenue or Avis inside Loews Coronado Bay for the day.

PARKING IN CORONADO

Street parking in Coronado is free, but it’s timed. If you plan to stay all day, look for paid lots.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

For weather, come between July–October. For price, come in shoulder seasons of September (after Labor Day)–beginning of November or January–mid-March.

HOTEL DEL CORONADO IS Done RENOVATING

You still need to read my guide before you go which has everything to know before you book + access to my VIP benefits.

IS CORONADO AN ISLAND?

Yes. It’s technically a land-tied island connected to Imperial Beach by a sandy isthmus called a tombolo you can drive on.

Frequently Asked Questions About Coronado Island

I live in La Jolla, California, and answer questions about it daily. Here’s some of what people want to know.

Yes! The shops, restaurants, beach, and some activities like s’mores roasts and beach chair rentals at Del Beach are open to the public. Also, locals LOVE to attend the holiday events like ice skating in the winter, Halloween pumpkin carving, and roller skating in summer.

Hotel del Coronado offers chair, umbrella, lounge chair, and cabette rentals on their Del Beach area. Coronado Golf Carts also rents beach chairs and umbrellas.

If you’re renting baby gear from a place that delivers to Coronado hotels, like Toddlers Travel or BabyQuip, they also often have beach chairs and umbrellas that you can add to your order.

Some convenience stores sell beach chairs but here’s a hot tip… Little Sam’s Island and Beach Fun inside El Cordova Hotel rents beach chairs and umbrellas for an EXCELLENT price (for San Diego). You need to call because you can’t book online.

You can. It’s a flat walk, but it might take you 30 minutes. A lot of people take Uber.

In the summer, there’s a free shuttle that runs between the ferry terminal in 15-minute intervals. The buses run along the existing San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) 904 around the downtown Village area.

And, there’s also Circuit which we mentioned above!

Uber and Lyft are fairly easy to use in San Diego. Many people who visit Coronado use Uber between the ferry terminal and beach. A lot of our clients rely only on Uber to get around when they stay in Coronado.

Free parking in Coronado is limited. It’s free but timed on Orange Avenue. It is impossible to avoid paying for parking if you’re spending the night at Hotel del Coronado. There are paid lots in multiple places on the island.