Coronado is 15 minutes by ferry from downtown San Diego and feels like another world: wide, quiet streets, Victorian houses, bikes everywhere and a broad beach whose sand glitters in the sun. People call it "Coronado Island," although technically it's a peninsula tied to the mainland by a strip of sand to the south. Its landmark is the Hotel del Coronado, a huge white wooden hotel with red roofs, built in 1888, which you can visit without staying there. This guide explains things to do in Coronado, how to get there by ferry, bus or over the bridge, what it costs and how to plan the day, with information checked on November 11, 2026.
Coronado in a few lines
- Getting there. The ferry from Broadway Pier, 15 minutes and $9 each way, or by car over the Coronado Bridge.
- The main event. The beach in front of the Hotel del Coronado and a stroll along Orange Avenue.
- Getting around. By bike, rented next to the ferry landing.
- Time. Half a day is enough; a full day if you want beach time.
How to get to Coronado from San Diego
By ferry is the prettiest way and the one we recommend for the trip over. The Flagship Ferry leaves from Broadway Pier, on the downtown waterfront, and crosses the bay in about 15 minutes with views of the San Diego skyline and the naval base's aircraft carriers. It costs $9 per person each way ($18 round trip) for ages 4 and up, and according to the operator's site it departs hourly. It arrives at Coronado Ferry Landing, a small cluster of shops and restaurants.
By car you cross the Coronado Bridge, the blue curve more than 3 kilometers long that opened in 1969 and no longer charges a toll. The view from the top is one of the city's best, though if you're driving you won't enjoy it much. In Coronado you park on the street; near the Hotel del Coronado, spots fill up on weekends.
By bus, MTS route 901 connects downtown San Diego with Coronado over the bridge. It's the cheapest option and the least used by tourists.
A combination that works: ferry over, bike or walk to the hotel and beach, and back by bus or Uber at sunset.
Things to do in Coronado
Visit the Hotel del Coronado. Locals call it "The Del." It opened in 1888, was one of the largest hotels in the world in its day and is now a National Historic Landmark. Some Like It Hot, with Marilyn Monroe, was filmed there in 1958. You can walk into the wooden lobby, wander halls lined with historic photos and have a drink on the oceanfront terraces without being a guest. The legend of the ghost of Kate Morgan, a guest who died in 1892, is part of hotel lore and the reason so many people search for "Hotel del Coronado ghost."
Hit the beach. Coronado Beach is one of the most praised beaches in the country, and you see why: it's wide, flat and fine-grained, flecked with mica that sparkles like frost. The stretch in front of the hotel is the busiest. The north end, by the naval base, has a dog beach.
Walk Orange Avenue. The main street, with ice cream shops, cafés, stores and the Lamb's Players Theatre. It's a real small-town center, not a stage set.
Ride a bike. Coronado is flat and has bike paths along the bay. From the ferry landing you can pedal to the hotel in about 15 minutes, and if you keep going south, the Silver Strand takes you along the strip of sand between bay and ocean.
Watch naval life. Coronado is home to Naval Air Station North Island and, to the south, the amphibious base where Navy SEALs train. You'll often see planes and helicopters, and sometimes groups training on the beach.
A half-day plan
- Ferry at 10 a.m. from Broadway Pier.
- Bike rental at Coronado Ferry Landing and a ride south along the bay.
- Lunch or ice cream on Orange Avenue.
- Beach in front of the Hotel del Coronado, and a look at the hotel lobby.
- Sunset on the sand and back downtown by bus or Uber.
What a day in Coronado costs
Coronado is expensive to sleep in, but visiting for the day can be cheap. The round-trip ferry is $18 per person. The beach is free. Bike rental is by the hour. Eating on Orange Avenue costs about the same as anywhere else in San Diego, and you can always picnic on the sand. The hotel doesn't charge to enter its public areas.
The Coronado Bridge and the best photo
The bridge is part of San Diego's skyline and many people seek it out just to photograph it. Its curve isn't a whim: it was designed high enough for Navy ships entering the bay to pass beneath. Pedestrians and cyclists can't cross it except at occasional events, so the best photos are from below. Two spots that work: Cesar Chavez Park on the San Diego side, and the Coronado shore by the Ferry Landing, where you see the bridge with the downtown skyline behind. At sunset, as the buildings light up, it looks its best.
The ferry also has good views, with angles from the bay you can't get from land. If there's room, sit on the upper deck.
Staying in Coronado
Staying at the Hotel del Coronado is an experience, but one of the priciest on the California coast, especially in summer and at Christmas, when an ice rink goes up by the sea. There are more modest options on the island, though none are cheap. To save, most travelers sleep in downtown San Diego and cross over for the day.
With kids
Coronado is one of San Diego's easiest outings with children. The beach is flat, with gentle waves in front of the hotel and lifeguards in season. Four-wheel family bikes, rented by the ferry, are a hit. And the ferry ride itself is an adventure for little ones.
When to go
San Diego has good weather year-round, but in May and June the coast often wakes up overcast, a pattern locals call "May Gray" and "June Gloom," and the beach doesn't shine until midday. From July to October the water is warmer and the sky clear. Winter days are cool but sunny, ideal for biking.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do on Coronado Island?
Visit the Hotel del Coronado, go to Coronado Beach, walk Orange Avenue, bike along the bay and watch the sunset on the beach.
How much is the ferry from San Diego to Coronado?
$9 per person each way, $18 round trip, for ages 4 and up. The ride takes about 15 minutes from Broadway Pier.
Why is the Hotel del Coronado famous?
For its 1888 Victorian architecture, its National Historic Landmark status, the film Some Like It Hot and its ghost legend.
Can you visit the Hotel del Coronado without staying there?
Yes. The lobby, shops, restaurants and beach are open to the public.
Is Coronado an island?
Not quite. It's a peninsula connected to the mainland by the Silver Strand, although everyone calls it an island.