Arguably one of the best seaside resort towns in California, Coronado has been welcoming sun-seekers for nearly 150 years, with an all-American charm that makes it an ideal destination for day-trippers and extended vacationers alike. From the world-class Victorian-era Hotel Del resort to top-rated beaches and seasonal festivities, there are plenty of things to do in Coronado, any time of year.
Our family’s Coronado roots go back three generations, and this guide shares our top things to do in Coronado – from the famous attractions where we take out-of-town guests, to our favorite local restaurants.
Jump to:
#1. Visit the Hotel Del Coronado
#2. Soak Up the Sun at Coronado Beach
#3. Shop Local on Orange Avenue
#4. Grab Mexican Food at Miguel’s Cocina
#5. Rent Bikes to Cruise the Bayshore Bikeway
#6. Catch Downtown Skyline Views at the Ferry Landing
#7. Kayak, Paddle Board, or Jet Ski San Diego Bay
#8. Paddle or Swim Calmer Waters at Glorietta Bay
#9. People Watch at McP’s Irish Pub
#10. Catch a Play at Lamb’s Players Theater
#11. Take a Historic Walking Tour
#12. Swim, Surf, and BBQ at Silver Strand State Beach
#13. Join the Four-Footers at Dog Beach
#14. Get Festive with Seasonal Events
#1. Visit the Hotel Del Coronado
Topping every travel list, the Del is the crown jewel of the Crown City. A luxe resort first opened in 1888, it seamlessly blends modern amenities with a Victorian elegance that feels like a step back in time.
Although the Hotel Del has always attracted a who’s-who list of Hollywood celebrities, athletes, and world leaders, us regular folks can enjoy the premises too.
Enjoy strolling the oceanfront promenade and opulent lobby, ducking into the upscale boutiques that line the interior shopping arcade. Once you’re ready to post up for some people-watching, you can grab a casual meal overlooking the beach at the Sun Deck or Taco Shack.
The Victorian-era Babcock & Story Bar is also a great spot for a drink and bar bites. It often features live music in the evenings and weekends.
#2. Soak Up the Sun at Coronado Beach
Coronado Beach is consistently ranked one among the nation’s top beaches. Over 1.5 miles long, it’s bordered by the Hotel Del along the south and Naval Air Station North Island to the north.
Along with comfortable shore breaks for swimming and body surfing, there are ample tide pools along the southern end. Children will especially enjoy scampering over the rocks and observing sea anemones, sea urchins, hermit crabs, and other resident creatures.
#3. Shop Local Along Orange Avenue
Orange Avenue is the main drag. that runs the length of the island from bay to beach. Coronado prides itself on limiting “chain” stores, and the vast majority of boutiques and restaurants are locally owned.
Enjoy popping into Bay Books independent bookstore, which also has an on-site coffee shop. Just down the street is Fair Trade Décor, retailing funky home goods and gifts from around the world.
Surfers should check out Emerald City Surf, while those looking for a snack can refuel at Clayton’s Bistro – a quaint French café, perfect for breakfast and lunch.
#4. Grab Mexican Food at Miguel’s Cocina
This casual, unpretentious spot is our family’s favorite Mexican restaurant. Tucked in a hidden patio behind the El Cordova Hotel along Orange Avenue, Miguel’s serves up classic Mexican favorites. It’s always buzzing with locals and tourists alike (and the jalapeño white sauce served with their house chips is locally famous).
Note: Miguel’s doesn’t take reservations, and gets extremely busy during weekends and the summer tourist season. We recommend getting there before 5 p.m. if you don’t want to wait.
#5. Rent Bikes to Cruise the Bayshore Bikeway
Coronado is completely flat, which makes it easy to cruise from the bay side to the beach side.
For a more leisurely bike ride, enjoy winding through the residential streets and ogling at all the charming local architecture.
Alternately, those looking for a longer ride can cycle the San Diego Bayshore Bikeway. Bike paths extend from the Ferry Landing underneath the Coronado Bridge, before connecting with the official Bayshore Bikeway along Strand Way (directions).
The Bikeway extends 6 miles down to Imperial Beach, with sweeping views of San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean. You’ll pass estuaries, a protected wildlife refuge, and the Navy SEAL training complex along the way.
If you don’t have your own bikes, you can rent at one of Holland’s Bike Rentals‘ two locations. They offer beach cruisers, e-bikes, Surrey cruisers, and more.
#6. Catch Downtown Skyline Views at the Ferry Landing
The Ferry Landing, on Coronado’s eastern shore, offers a front-row view of the Downtown San Diego skyline across the bay.
There are plenty of affordable eateries and souvenir shops here, as well as a small sandy beach perfect for families.
Some of our preferred restaurants include either Village Pizzeria for casual dining, or Il Fornaio (Italian) or Peohe’s (Hawaiian) for a nicer meal.
From the Ferry Landing, you can also take the ferry across the bay to downtown San Diego. It’s a fun outing, whether you’re using it as transport to the “mainland,” or just for its own adventure. You can view the ferry schedule and buy tickets online here.
#7. Kayak, Paddle Board, or Jet Ski San Diego Bay
The Ferry Landing is also a waterman’s paradise, with kayak, paddle board, and jet ski rentals available. It’s an iconic San Diego backdrop, with the downtown skyline on one side and aircraft carriers on the other.
You can rent both kayaks and paddle boards at SUP and Saddle, or paddle boards at SUP Coronado (which also offers tours). Jet skis are available at San Diego Jet Ski Rental.
Quick safety note: If you venture out into San Diego Bay, always stay aware of your surroundings and anticipate other watercraft. The bay is a main artery for shipping freighters, naval carriers, ferries, and sailboats, and you never want to get caught in the wrong spot. Currents also create choppy waters – know your personal ability limits, and don't push them.
#8. Paddle or Swim Calmer Waters at Glorietta Bay
There are no rentals available here, but those with their own paddle boards or kayaks can cruise the calmer waters of Glorietta Bay. This protected body of water is also a great spot for open-water swimming.
If you stay tucked among the boat slips of Glorietta Bay Marina, the water is often like glass, with minimal chop. Or, you can hug the shoreline along the Coronado Golf Course out to the Coronado Bridge, for a one-of-a-kind view underneath one of San Diego’s most iconic silhouettes.
We’ve even paddle boarded from Glorietta Bay, along the rim of Coronado Island to the Ferry Landing and back – it’s approximately a 2-hour round trip paddle.
Glorietta Bay Park has a great little sandy beach to launch from. There’s also a boat ramp and shaded grassy area if you want to bring a picnic (directions here).
#9. People Watch at McP’s Irish Pub
For some local flair, we have a soft spot for McP’s, a no-frills Irish pub that touts itself as the unofficial bar of the Navy SEALs (the West Coast units are based in Coronado).
The drinks and grub are standard bar fare, but it’s a memorable spot with plenty of character. McP’s has a great outdoor patio for people-watching along Orange Avenue, and the walls are covered in SEAL paraphernalia and mementos, along with other military branches and first responders.
#10. Catch a Play at Lamb’s Players Theater
For a little culture, check out Lamb’s Players, a non-profit local theater company that puts on first-rate productions in an intimate Orange Avenue playhouse.
The schedule consistently rotates between Tony Award-winning musicals, comedies, and more, along with an original Christmas production each December.
You can view current and upcoming shows at their website.
#11. Take a Historic Walking Tour
Source: Penn State University Libraries Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library, Flickr Creative Commons
For such a small community, Coronado is brimming with history.
Besides being the birthplace of naval aviation and military hub, famous residents have included Hollywood stars (Charlie Chaplin), authors (L. Frank Baum, who wrote much of The Wizard of Oz while living here), and royalty (Wallis Simpson, the American divorcee whose love caused King Edward VIII to abdicate the English throne).
The Coronado Museum hosts 1-hour guided walking tours that provide an in-depth look into Coronado’s fascinating local history.
#12. Swim, Surf, and BBQ at Silver Strand State Beach
A jewel of the California state parks, Silver Strand boasts miles of open sand and sparkling waters. But what makes the Silver Strand so unique is its narrowness – this skinny isthmus lets you cross from the Pacific Ocean to San Diego Bay in a 2-minute walk.
Park near one of the pedestrian tunnels (which cut under Highway 75, running the length of the Strand) and spend the day jumping between the calm waters of the bay and the larger Pacific swells.
There are plenty of picnic tables, BBQ pits, and fire rings available, and you’ll often see dolphins cruising the coastline just offshore. Check out additional seasonal offerings at the park website.
#13. Join the Four-Footers at Dog Beach
As one of San Diego’s premier dog beaches, there is always a flurry of activity here at any given time of year. Even if you don’t have a dog yourself, this stretch of beach is sure to bring a big grin to your face as you watch canines of all shapes and sizes run, splash, play, dig, and roll in the sand.
As animal lovers, we may be a little biased, but Dog Beach is genuinely one of our favorite things to do in Coronado. Go for a stroll along the water’s edge, and enjoy watching all the antics – you’ll inevitably make a few tail-wagging new friends along the way.
#14. Get Festive with Seasonal Events
Coronado loves its holidays, with puts on numerous first-rate events happening all year long. Discover Coronado maintains a robust event calendar that you can check ahead of your visit, but a few of our annual favorites include:
- Mother’s Day Home Tour (May): each Mother’s Day, historic houses around the island open to the public, with a different theme each year (era, architectural style, etc.). It provides a unique opportunity to get inside Coronado’s beautifully styled homes, and is a particular favorite among history, architecture, and interior design buffs. Tickets are required, and can be purchased through the Coronado Historical Association.
- Fourth of July (July): it’s no surprise for a patriotic town with a strong military history, but Coronado on the Fourth of July is about as Americana as it gets. Start your day with the parade (arguably one of the biggest in Southern California) down Orange Avenue in the morning, watch an aerial demonstration by the Navy Leap Frogs in the afternoon, catch a patriotic-themed concert in Spreckels Park in the evening, and view the fireworks over San Diego Bay from the Ferry Landing at night. Check the Coronado Times for the full schedule each year.
- Holiday Parade (early December): kick off the festive season with the annual Holiday Parade, running along Orange Avenue from the Ferry Landing to the Hotel Del. There’s something cozy about bundling up for a nighttime parade as the lights twinkle on, carolers come out, and your hot cocoa warms the chilly evening.
- San Diego Parade of Lights (mid December): this holiday staple returns each December, with local boat owners adorning their craft of all shapes and sizes in lights and festive decorations, for a nighttime parade up and down San Diego Bay. The Ferry Landing in Coronado offers a front row seat to the show – just be sure to get there early to reserve your spot!