How to Plan a Perfect Day in Coronado
When looking up spring break activities in SD, a lot of the suggestions might include things to do in Coronado. Some would even say that Coronado features the best that Southern California has to offer. Looking to explore San Diego’s “Crown” City and enjoy a wide range of fun activities? Take a peek at our top 8 things to do on Coronado Island.
Tidelands Park
Head out with the family to Coronado’s Tidelands Park. This kid-friendly, pet friendly coastal play area has plenty of open green space and jungle gyms for the kids. Want to get out and get moving? Bike along the Silver Strand Bikeway, spend the day at the skatepark, test your balance with stand up paddleboarding or take a kayak tour, all available to you within the park while enjoying a picturesque view of the city across the bay and the phenomenal Coronado Bay Bridge.
Coronado Ferry Landing
If you have a full day free and are wondering what to do on Coronado Island, start in Seaport Village to take in all the boutique shops before heading across the bay. Stop into Hot Licks to pick out any one of their globally sourced hot sauces, take a ride on the Seaport Village Carousel, and pick up a kite at the Kite Flite shop to fly at the park in Coronado. When you’re ready, take the Ferry to Coronado, which leaves every hour on the hour from next to the Midway Museum or every 30 minutes starting at 9:10am from behind the Convention Center. Roundtrip tickets run $14 for anyone age 4 and up. Catch Tuesday’s Farmers Market from 2:30pm until 6pm, at the Coronado Ferry Landing, one of the longest-running farmer’s markets in San Diego County. Or, check out the rest of Ferry Landing Park and the marketplace for a fun-filled afternoon visiting shops, and restaurants, all while taking in the remarkable downtown views. Coronado Ferry Landing is the perfect place to rent kayaks, bicycles, or surrey bikes to explore the island. Bike and Kayak Tours has rental and tour options to suit your preference. Looking for something a little more relaxed? Consider renting a golf cart through Coronado Golf Cars to traverse the island instead, starting at $59/hr for 4 to 8 passenger carts, or book the Coronado Ferry & Food Tour through So Diego! The ferry back to downtown leaves every hour on the half-hour and runs until 9:30pm Sunday through Thursday, and 10:30pm on Friday and Saturday nights. So, there’s plenty of time to fit a full day of fun in before heading home.
Courtesy of Port of San Diego
Take a Stroll Down Orange Avenue
Continuing to venture into the island, one of the top things to do on Coronado Island is to take a stroll down Orange Avenue and stop into the restaurants and boutiques. Between the specialty shops, clothing boutiques, gift shops, antique dealers, and jewelry stores, there’s something for everyone. Come breakfast or lunch time, one of my favorite things to do is grab some bites to-go from any of the local eateries, maybe indulging in a scoop of gelato from Gelato Paradiso and hunkering down in Spreckles Park for a picnic in the large green space, conveniently located in the center of the island.
Coronado Beach & Dog Park
The San Diego bay is one of the city’s biggest attractions, and the most attractive part of it is in Coronado. We’re talking about gorgeous white sand beaches stretched along the Pacific Ocean. Take the pooch out for some fun in the sun and catch sight of the fighter jets, helicopters, and Osprey’s landing on runway 29 at North Island Naval Air Station; the site of the first military flying school. Coronado Island is also home to the Navy SEALs, which you can view the training on the beach, on occasion. In addition to the dog run, Coronado Beach and Dog Park also has tidepools to explore, a surfing zone, and plenty of room for sunbathing. In the evening, try your luck at fishing off the surf with the locals or snag one of the fire rings for an evening bonfire. This beach truly offers an experience like none other!
Courtesy of Go Visit San Diego
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Most PopularHotel Del Coronado
If you’re wondering what to do on Coronado Island, you aren’t going to want to miss the Hotel Del! When you think of Coronado, nothing is more iconic or significant than the famous Hotel Del Coronado. The Del has hosted celebrities, royalty, and US Presidents, as well as the rest of us commoners, since 1888. Designated a National Historical Landmark in 1977, this beach resort was designed to be “the talk of the western world” to which it has certainly held up its end of the bargain. The Del’s brilliance doesn’t stop with the iconic red roof or white building exterior across the backdrop of the white sand beaches and blue waters of the Pacific. The interior architecture of the hotel and the impressive craftsmanship within the common spaces and guest rooms is a testament to its elegance. If you don’t have the opportunity to stay at the hotel, opt for their impressive Weekend Brunch Buffet or anyone of their eateries daily for a bit of the experience. Wander out past the hotel to the beach and take in the tidepools or visit The Sand Castle Man, if you can catch him. Although he can be elusive, sometimes you can find him out there building another masterpiece and might possibly be able to get him to teach you a thing or two.
Courtesy of Financial Times
Coronado Heritage Walks
With such a rich history, you’ll want to check out the Walking Tour of Historic Coronado to get the full rundown on Coronado Island’s past. On these guided tours, you’ll visit historical sites, take in the grandeur of the mansions on the island, and view the many generational homes while possibly chatting with their residents. Tours are approximately 90 minutes and cover 2 miles of the island, at a comfortable pace.
Go to the Theater! Lamb’s Players Theater & the Coronado Playhouse
I love going to Coronado for an evening at the theater! The Lamb’s Players Theater on Orange Avenue hires more San Diego-based actors than any other small theater, as well as being an artist-led company. This small theater is one of San Diego’s leading non-profit, professional, performing arts theaters. Additionally, with the circular stacked seating, there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. If you’d like a more cabaret-style venue with a decent amount of free parking, the Coronado Playhouse is another favorite. Catch the Happy Hour oyster specials at The Brigantine before the production, and then walk over to the theater to enjoy a libation at the playhouse.
The Silver Strand
What’s more fun than beachside camping? Make reservations to take your RV, camper, or trailer to Silver Strand State Beach. Once there, you can enjoy bike riding up and down the Strand, take in the coastal views and learn about the fragile ecosystem from the Silver Strand Nature’s Bridge to Discovery, partake in all sorts of beach activities like snorkeling, sailing, or take an outrigger class through the Crown Cove Aquatic Center, and even visit a sunken ship! If you just so happen to have a fourth grader in the family, Silver Strand State Beach is one of nineteen participating state parks offering a free Adventure Pass for California’s fourth graders accompanied by three adults and other kids or friends. Check out the campground’s rules and regulations page for more information regarding camping requirements.
Courtesy of Coronado Visitors Center
Whatever you choose to do on your perfect day in Coronado, make sure to fill it with food, history, and fun! So, Diego, has you covered with their Coronado Ferry & Food Tour, which gets you from the dock in San Diego to the Ferry Landing in Coronado, all the way to the Hotel Del, all while soaking up the San Diego views and culture. There’s something for everyone in San Diego’s “Crown” City.
Downtown Coronado Attractions
Centennial Park
This park holds historical significance in this San Diego county. That’s because it is one of the oldest ports in San Diego. More specifically, this is the port for ferries loading carts to San Diego. This old port was still operating until 1969, when the Coronado Bridge finished construction. Now, locals and tourists visit Centennial Park to enjoy the best view of San Diego, especially the San Diego skyline.
Spreckels Park
Spreckels Park is considered the most well-known park in Coronado Island. It is found in the center of the island, with its most famous landmark being a gazebo. Every Sunday, you can enjoy some of the best musical performances. This park is also great for families with little kids, considering it has a jungle gym and scenic trails.
USS Midway Museum
If you happen to be in the Coronado Beach Resort, don’t miss visiting the USS Midway Museum. The museum itself is actually on the USS Midway, considered one of the most significant air carriers in US military history.
Glorietta Bay Park
Are you in Coronado island on your birthday? Then make sure to Glorietta Bay Park. You and your friends can hold a get-together her while savoring the view of the San Diego skyline and Coronado Bridge.
There’s more to San Diego than Coronado!
Coronado isn’t the only city in San Diego worth visiting. The next time you’re in San Diego, make sure to join La Jolla tours and dine in some of the best restaurants in Carlsbad.
Written by:
This blog was written by Aleezah Davenport. Aleezah is a native San Diegan, and a second-generation PLNU alumna. She enjoys exploring the city and taking her girls out for dinner on the cliffs at Sunset Cliffs. Writing about San Diego provides her the opportunity to learn more about the local scene, and share her newfound knowledge about her hometown – two of the things she loves most. She enjoys sharing her passions with readers, and is excited to be writing for a platform that provides fun information to a large audience.
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