Things to Do on Coronado Island: My Must-See Spots
If you’re planning a trip to San Diego, spending time on Coronado Island is a must.
I visited in April and loved how relaxed and walkable it felt compared to the busier parts of downtown. I stayed on Coronado Island for three nights at the Coronado Marriott Island Resort with my mom and sister, and it ended up being the perfect weekend getaway.
Coronado is known for its beaches, the historic Hotel del Coronado, and its main street filled with boutiques, restaurants, and coffee shops.
Below are the best things to do on Coronado Island based on my trip, along with extra ideas and tips for first-time visitors.
Best Things to Do on Coronado Island
In this post, I will share all my favorite things to do on Coronado Island based on my three day trip in April. (➡️ Read more about my three days in San Diego!)
Below is a Google Map with all the locations mentioned in this post pinned.
1. Grab Breakfast, Coffee, or a Sweet Treat from Clayton’s
Clayton’s Coffee Shop is one of the best places for breakfast on Coronado Island.
It has a classic old-school diner feel and a walk-up window outside where you can grab coffee, donuts, ice cream, and acai bowls. On our first day, we stopped by in the afternoon and ordered ice cream and donuts at the walk-up window.
Seating inside is limited, so try to go early if you want to sit down. We went around 8:30 AM on a Friday and got three of the last seats at the counter.
The menu is full of classic breakfast options. I ordered shredded hashbrowns and sausage links and both were delicious.
If you’re visiting on a weekend or later in the morning, expect a wait.
2. Visit Hotel Del Coronado
Even if you’re not staying at Hotel Del Coronado, it’s worth visiting.
The hotel is right on Coronado Beach and has a paved path behind it that overlooks the ocean, a perfect place for a walk!
Once you’re on the path, you will walk past stunning beachfront homes and have great views the entire way.
The beach is open to the public, so you can hang out on the beach even if you’re not a hotel guest.
You can also go inside the hotel to see the historic lobby, check out the shops, and admire the architecture. It has a lot of character and is one of the most well-known sights on Coronado Island.
If you’re up for something more active, you can rent bikes from Holland’s Bicycles nearby and bike part of the Silver Strand Bikeway. The full trail is about 18.7 miles and connects Coronado to Imperial Beach.
3. Walk along Orange Avenue
Orange Avenue is the main street in Coronado and a great place to walk around. It’s lined with boutiques, restaurants, and coffee shops.
Whether you want to shop, grab a snack, or just walk around, this is a great area to explore for a little bit!
Here are some of my favorite spots on Orange Avenue:
- Bay Books – Local independent bookstore with a small cafe
- The Henry – Perfect spot for lunch or dinner. I loved the Short Rib Potstickers!
- Little Frenchie – French-style bistro
- Better Buzz Coffee – Great stop for coffee! The caramel vanilla latte is delicious if you like sweeter coffee.
4. Walk around the Coronado Ferry Landing
Coronado Ferry Landing is another area worth visiting. It has shops, restaurants, and beautiful bayfront views.
There is also a small beach here with an incredible view of the San Diego skyline.
This area is especially nice in the late afternoon or around sunset. You can sit by the water, walk along the pier, or grab food with a view of downtown across the bay.
5. Take the Ferry to Downtown San Diego
If you want to go into downtown San Diego without driving, you can take the ferry straight from Coronado Ferry Landing.
The ride is short (about 15 minutes) and drops you off near the USS Midway and Seaport Village. It’s scenic and easy, and you don’t have to worry about parking downtown.
You can also do it the other way around by taking the ferry from San Diego to spend a day on Coronado without bringing a car.
You can book the ferry tickets here.
6. Check Out Centennial Park
Centennial Park is right near the ferry landing and has one of the best skyline views of downtown San Diego.
It’s a small park with a big grassy area, benches, and views of the bay.
It’s a great spot to relax, take photos, or bring takeout food for a picnic. If you’re already walking near the ferry landing, it’s easy to add this stop.
7. Rent a Jet Ski to Ride on the San Diego Bay
For something more adventurous, you can rent a jet ski at Coronado Ferry Landing and ride through San Diego Bay.
You will get views of the Coronado Bridge and the downtown skyline.
You can book in advance online here on Get Your Guide or in person at the rental booths near the docks.
I think an hour rental is enough time to explore the bay and take in the views.
Book jet ski rentals here or below!
Looking for a Hotel?
Explore Booking.com for your hotel needs – they offer budget-friendly prices and a variety of room types!
Need a Rental Car?
For all your rental car needs, head over to Expedia! It’s user-friendly and offers plenty of affordable options!
Guided Tours/Activities
When it comes to booking guided tours and excursions, my top pick is Get Your Guide!
Sample One-Day Coronado Island Itinerary
Here is a sample one-day Coronado Island itinerary for seeing the highlights of Coronado Island.
- Breakfast at Clayton’s Coffee Shop
- Walk Orange Avenue and browse the local shops
- Visit Coronado Beach and Hotel Del Coronado
- Explore Coronado Ferry Landing and Centennial Park
- Optional: rent a jet ski or bike the Silver Strand
- Dinner at The Henry
- Finish with sunset at the beach or ferry landing
This Coronado Island itinerary is easy to do without a car. During our three days in San Diego, we didn’t rent a car and were able to walk everywhere we wanted to go in Coronado.
The only time we used Uber was to get to and from the airport and for day trips to La Jolla and Mission Beach.
Best Places to Eat on Coronado Island
- The Henry – Great outdoor seating and menu. I loved the brussels sprouts, short rib potstickers (my favorite!), and fried rice.
- Peohe’s – Delicious seafood and waterfront views. On the pricier side.
- Lobster West Coronado – Lobster, crab, and shrimp rolls
- Park Place Liquor & Deli – Great place for take out sandwiches to enjoy on Coronado Beach
- Miguel’s Cocina – Great Mexican food
- Il Fornaio – Italian food with views of the bay
- Stake Chophouse – Upscale steakhouse
- Little Frenchie – Popular French-style bistro
- Village Pizzeria – Casual pizza place
Where to Stay on Coronado Island
If you are considering staying overnight on Coronado Island, here are some places I recommend:
- Hotel Del Coronado – Famous beachfront hotel with easy access to the beach
- Coronado Island Marriott Resort – Located near the ferry landing with bay views and easy access to downtown San Diego. We stayed here for three days, and it’s about a 1-mile walk to Coronado’s main street.
- Glorietta Bay Inn – Small, charming hotel close to Hotel del Coronado
- El Cordova Hotel – Centrally located, within walking distance to restaurants and the beach
Check out this interactive map below for more places to stay on Coronado Island!
➡️If you’re planning on staying outside of Coronado Island, check out my Where to Stay in San Diego blog post for more recommendations, grouped by neighborhoods.
Final Thoughts on Things to Do on Coronado Island
Coronado Island was one of my favorite parts of our three-day San Diego trip.
I loved how easy it was to walk around, the beach views, and all the shops and restaurants.
Staying on the island made it feel relaxed, and we were able to do everything without a car.
If you’re visiting San Diego, I definitely recommend spending at least a day or two on Coronado Island.
Check out my other San Diego blog posts for more tips and trip planning ideas!
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