About The Island
Extend your overnight stay on Coronado and savor the island’s unmatched coastal charm. From golden sunsets on Coronado Beach to leisurely bike rides along the Silver Strand State Beach, an extra night lets you truly unwind.
Let your California Fairytale begin…
Set just across San Diego Bay, Coronado offers six distinct areas filled with beaches, historic sites, waterfront attractions, and outdoor adventures:
- Bayside & Ferry Landing — Scenic waterfront, boutique shopping, dining, and harbor activities.
- Historic Downtown — Walkable streets, charming shops, local cafés, and cultural landmarks.
- Coronado Beaches — Award-winning sandy shores perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports.
- Glorietta Bay — Boating, golfing, tennis, parks, and family-friendly waterfront recreation.
- Silver Strand & the Cays — Paved bike paths, camping, luxury resorts, and scenic coastal drives.
- North Island Naval Air Station — Witness U.S. Navy operations, ship departures, and historic military sites.
Bayside & Ferry Landing
With a spectacular view of San Diego Bay and the downtown skyline, this is the first area visitors experience when arriving via the iconic Coronado Bridge. Prefer a scenic boat ride? Coronado Ferry Landing is a quick 5-minute ferry from the San Diego Convention Center and the historic Gaslamp Quarter, or a 15-minute cruise from the USS Midway Museum and Seaport Village. Ferry Landing is a hub of boutique shopping, souvenir stores, and waterfront dining, making it one of the top things to do in Coronado Island for visitors seeking both shopping and panoramic bay views.
To enjoy outdoor recreation on Coronado Island, visit Tidelands Park, offering sprawling fields, a children’s play area, a skate park, scenic bike paths, picnic benches, and a small sandy beach. Don’t miss Centennial Park, one of the most-photographed spots in Coronado, ideal for capturing the beauty of the bay and the iconic skyline.
Bayside is home to the luxurious Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa, famous for its pink flamingos and resort-style amenities. A short walk along First Street to Orange Avenue leads to pampering salons and spas, as well as popular outdoor dining and drinking venues, making it a must-visit area for travelers looking to experience the best restaurants, cafés, and nightlife in Coronado Island.
Historic Downtown
Coronado’s Orange Avenue is the heart of the island, a vibrant, walkable hub full of character, local culture, and community life. Shop for everything from surfboards to high-end jewelry and the latest fashion trends, or browse unique boutiques and souvenir stores. Savor meals at award-winning restaurants, cozy sidewalk cafés, and charming hotels and boutique inns, or relax in peaceful parks and visit the historic, light-filled Coronado Public Library.
A favorite pastime for visitors is strolling the meticulously maintained streets, window-shopping, people-watching, and enjoying the lush, flower-lined medians that make this district so picturesque.
For cultural entertainment, catch a show at Lamb’s Players Theatre in its grand historic building, explore exhibits at the Coronado Museum of History and Art, or enjoy a classic movie experience at the Village Theater, featuring vintage art deco flair. Of course, the crown jewel of Coronado is the Hotel del Coronado, a national landmark and must-see for every visitor.
Coronado Beaches
Repeatedly recognized as one of the nation’s best beaches, Coronado Beach features miles of soft, golden sand and safe, sun-sparkling waters perfect for surfing, kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding, swimming, sunbathing, volleyball, shell collecting, or simply relaxing with a book set on the island. Coronado Beach is divided into four distinct sections, each offering unique experiences for visitors:
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North Beach & Dog Beach – North Beach is home to Dog Beach, a popular off-leash area for dogs complete with a dog shower. This section extends to the border of the North Island Naval Air Station.
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Central Beach – The main expanse of Coronado Beach, Central Beach features a lifeguard tower, full restroom and shower facilities, and beach volleyball courts, making it ideal for families and active beachgoers.
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South Beach – Beginning just south of the Hotel del Coronado and The Shores condos, this section continues to the Navy SEALs training facility and is restricted to U.S. Navy training.
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Silver Strand State Beach – Stretching approximately three miles along the narrow Silver Strand peninsula, this area offers overnight camping with reservations, restrooms, showers, and lifeguard services. Active-duty and retired military personnel can also reserve spots at Fiddler’s Cove, a scenic military camping area along the strand.
Coronado Beach consistently ranks among the best for family-friendly beach activities, water sports, dog-friendly areas, and scenic coastal experiences, making it a top destination for travelers visiting Coronado and nearby San Diego.
Glorietta Bay
Glorietta Bay is the heart of Coronado’s waterfront, offering something for every visitor. Enjoy world-class recreation with the Coronado Golf Course, Coronado Tennis Center, and the Coronado Yacht Club, or relax at Bluewater Boathouse Seafood Grill, the Coronado Municipal Pool, or the Glorietta Bay Park swimming beach. The area also features a public marina, boat ramp, community center, and clubroom, making it a hub for both locals and visitors seeking waterfront activities in Coronado Island.
Across Orange Avenue, the Coronado Shores towers provide million-dollar views of Coronado’s beaches, the bay, and the Naval Amphibious Base, creating an iconic coastal skyline.
For travelers looking for the best places to stay near Glorietta Bay, the Glorietta Bay Inn offers boutique luxury and rich history — once the home of John D. Spreckels, the sugar baron who developed the Hotel del Coronado. Its prime location puts visitors just steps from the bay, beaches, and all the top attractions in Coronado.
Silver Strand & Coronado Cays
Silver Strand is a stunning six-mile isthmus stretching from the Hotel del Coronado to Imperial Beach, offering breathtaking views of San Diego Bay on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. Along the route, visitors can experience luxury stays at Loews Coronado Bay Resort, enjoy water activities at Crown Cove Aquatics Center, or explore the yacht-dotted Coronado Cays. While the Cays are primarily residential, guests can take a gondola excursion with The Gondola Company or enjoy coffee and casual dining at The Calypso Cafe.
The Silver Strand is also a hub for outdoor recreation in Coronado Island. The paved bike path, part of the Bayshore Bikeway, is perfect for cycling, jogging, or walking, and provides access to Silver Strand State Beach Park and nearby nature preserves.
Military Coronado
Naval Air Station North Island anchors Coronado’s proud military history, occupying a significant portion of the island and creating a dramatic backdrop for visitors. Thrill to the sound of aircraft taking off and landing, watch U.S. Navy ships departing for or returning from deployment, and experience the impressive naval presence that shapes San Diego Bay’s skyline.
Coronado is also home to the elite U.S. Navy SEALs, whose training exercises can occasionally be glimpsed on the bay, along the beach, and on the Navy’s designated portion of the Silver Strand, adjacent to the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. Visitors gain a unique perspective on Coronado’s military heritage, making the island not just a beach destination, but also a living showcase of U.S. Navy history and operations.
