Coronado Municipal Beach
Walking the Beach in Coronado
The crown jewel of the Crown City
In its annual Top 10 survey, The Travel Channel has now confirmed what locals and visitors have always known: that Coronado is one of America's finest beaches. By any standards this wide, clean, family-friendly beach would be a winner, but it's the setting, the postcard-perfect community of Coronado, that makes it so special. Turn-of-the-century mansions front the ocean, while yacht clubs line the bay. The town offers numerous parks with impeccably-maintained facilities, the entire beach is patrolled by lifeguards and, from the town skateboard park to upscale dining, there's plenty to do in Coronado when you're done at the beach. Plan to make a day of it.
It's essentially one big beach from here south to the Mexican border, arbitrarily divided into individual spots. Don't expect to find any lines drawn in the sand, though; there's no territorialism here. In fact, you'll probably find no friendlier or more welcoming spot. Within Coronado, there are three such distinct zones. The first is
North Beach, from Sunset Park to the North Island Naval Base. The coastline faces due south here, and in the summer hurricane season, when steep-angle south swells miss the rest of San Diego, 'Outlet' is the place to be for surf. It's a sanctioned hangout for dogs and has a dozen fire rings nestled up against the dunes.
The main area fronting Ocean Boulevard to the south end of the world-famous Hotel Del Coronado is referred to as
Central Beach. Park wherever you can and make your way to one of the many accessways, or just scramble over the boulders to the sand. Central Beach tends to get the most crowded, but with the grand old hotel at your back and waiters serving drinks to guests on the boardwalk, it's also the most romantic. There's a small rock outcropping in front of the hotel, but if you keep to either side, it doesn't present any real swimming hazards.
The large beach area south of the Hotel Del to Silver Strand is called
The Shores. Its more southwesterly exposure offers a fun, year-round beachbreak perfect for longboarding and bodyboarding. Don't be intimidated by the imposing high-rise condominium towers. There are plenty of public access right-of-ways leading to the beach at the Shores, even if the parking here is fairly scarce.
Directions
From FWY 5 just south of downtown San Diego, take the Coronado Bridge over the bay to Coronado Island (now toll-free). The bridge lets out onto to 3rd Street. Turn left on Orange Avenue and follow it down toward the Hotel Del Coronado. Heading right off Orange onto virtually any street will get you to the beach.
Offerings
Pure, all-day beach fun for the whole family. Safe, supervised swimming and surfing, lots of facilities and special accommodations for wheelchairs. Close proximity to parks, restaurants, stores and hotels. Volleyball courts and fire rings available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call: 619-435-4179 for info.
Considerations
There's a lot of parking along Ocean Boulevard but it fills up on busy days. There's no special insider trick here; simply come early or be prepared for a hike. The beach is wide and the sand gets painfully hot in the midday sun. Bring footwear to get to and from the cooler sand near the water's edge. No alcohol, no glass. Dogs allowed only at North Beach.
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