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Coronado Neighborhood Guide
A View of the Coronado Bridge
The Famous Hotel del Coronado
Two Streets Intersect on Coronado Island
Shops Line a Sunny Street in Coronado
Touring Coronado on a Bicycle Built For Two
Coronado, "The Crowned City," is the queen of San Diego's neighborhoods. Not truly an island, but the headland of the peninsular sandspit that guards San Diego's fine natural harbor, Coronado's appeal is as strategic as it is aesthetic. Early in the city's history, the U.S. Navy staked its claim, while entrepreneurial land dealers capitalized on the beautiful beaches and fine weather. Today, Coronado is still true to its roots as a premiere resort destination, prized residential address and patriotic Navy town.
The wide, tree-lined streets are laid out in neat, even rows. The homes—many more than 100 years old—are cared for with meticulous pride. Coronado is the kind of neighborhood where folks sit out on the porch and greet the neighbors by name as they pass, and children leave their bikes on the front lawn without fear of losing them.
Of paramount interest to visitors are Coronado's excellent ocean beaches, bayside parks, and the palatial Hotel del Coronado, which has catered to countless celebrities, heads of state and even, according to legend, a resident ghost.
Cruising around
Most visitors' introduction to Coronado is the spectacular bird's-eye view crossing over the Coronado Bridge from downtown San Diego: sailboats racing westward to the Islas Coronados, the dramatic cliffs of Point Loma to the north, the endless beaches stretching southward to the Mexican border, and the red fairytale spires of the Hotel del Coronado dominating the low-rise residential landscape.
Coming off the bridge, follow the flow of traffic up and left onto Orange Avenue, keeping the landmark Hotel Del in your sights. Orange Avenue is Coronado's main drag, with classic Main Street USA charm. If you're visiting around the holidays, you'll find the entire avenue lined with lighted Christmas trees; if it's summer, listen for live music coming from the open air grandstand at Spreckels Park between 6th and 7th Streets. Coronado's small business district is concentrated along Orange between 10th Street and Glorietta Boulevard. Beyond, where the isthmus narrows, is the world-famous Hotel del Coronado to the right and Glorietta Bay's historic Boathouse Restaurant on the left. Even if you're not planning a stay at the Hotel del, it's well worth a stroll through the lobby and around the grounds.
From the Hotel Del, you can continue southbound down the silver strand with its long open beaches and public campground. To check out Coronado's "beachside," backtrack north on Ocean Boulevard, where stately Victorian mansions front Main Beach. Glorietta Boulevard follows the "bayside," where the Municipal Golf Course will please older sportsmen, while a public skateboard park at the foot of the bridge caters to the younger ones. San Diego Harbor Excursion (800-442-7847) in The Old Ferry Landing at the north end of Orange Avenue offers passenger service between Coronado and the Downtown San Diego Harborfront as well as dinner cruises and whale watching tours. At the far west end of the isthmus is the North Island Naval Base, home to aircraft carriers, state-of-the-art jets and elite Navy SEALs.
Inside tips
Summer is the most popular season to visit Coronado, which also makes it the most crowded. The beaches and parks fill to capacity as locals and tourists take advantage of Coronado's excellent recreational facilities and safe swimming beaches. Fourth of July is the big annual blowout, complete with parade, fireworks and Stars and Stripes flying from every house. In Winter, leading up to the Holidays, the native "islanders" put on an extravagant display of decorations, crowned by a fantastic Christmas tree in the lobby of the Hotel Del Coronado.
If you plan to stay at "The Del," make your reservations well in advance. There are a number of moderately priced accommodations in and around Orange Avenue, the Loew's Coronado Bay Resort and a luxurious Marriott overlooking the downtown San Diego skyline. For longer visits, consider renting a beachfront condominium or vacation home. You won't find big retail chains like The Gap in Coronado, but good old mom-and-pop stores with special, one-of-a-kind offerings that are sure to bring back nostalgic memories. There are also a number of excellent shops and restaurants in the Hotel del's beachfront arcade, and at the Old Ferry Landing Marketplace, while dining opportunities of all flavors can be found along Orange Avenue.
Cycling and surfing are among the most popular pastimes in Coronado. Bikes can be hired from Holland's Bikes, surfboards and bodyboards at Emerald City Surf Shop. There is an active yachting community and a public boat launching ramp at Glorietta Bay Park.
Getting there
From Downtown: take the 5 Freeway south to the Coronado Bridge Hwy. 75 (now toll-free).
From the South Bay: take the Imperial Highway 75 up the scenic Silver Strand. Alternatively, you can ride a passenger ferry over and back from the Embarcadero in downtown San Diego.
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San Diego Neighborhood Guide
