Boat rentals and sightseeing charters are available at the dock next to the boathouse on Glorietta Bay. A ferry service runs from Coronado Ferry Landing at B Avenue and 1st Street to San Diego.
The “island” is flat and less than two miles across, so it is easy to see on foot or by bike; local businesses offer bicycle rentals. Coronado’s renowned Central Beach allows picnicking, surfing and swimming, as does Silver Strand State Beach, 4.5 miles south of town.
Visitor Centers
Coronado Visitor Center 1100 Orange Ave. Coronado, CA 92118. Phone:(619)437-8788 or (866)599-7242
Shopping
Coronado Ferry Landing (1201 1st St.) is a waterfront village of shops where clowns and other street performers entertain on weekends. There are casual eateries as well as Peohe’s, a sit-down seafood restaurant with outstanding city views. Landscaped walkways and gardens as well as bicycle paths attract as many lovers of the outdoors as shoppers.Coronado’s palm-lined Orange Avenue has a few high-end clothing and gift boutiques. The well-curated selection at The Attic (1011 Orange Ave.) includes vintage jewelry and on-trend home decor items, while the walls of Seaside Papery (1162 Orange Ave.) are lined with beautiful notepads and greeting cards, quirky knickknacks and jazzed-up office supplies. If you need some reading material before hitting the beach, stop in at Bay Books (1029 Orange Ave.), a thoughtfully stocked independent bookstore.
Most first-time visits to Coronado include a stop at the Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton (1500 Orange Ave.) While you're exploring the historic property, take time to browse the dozen-or-so “ Shops at The Del .” Prices are predictably high, but the merchandise (resort wear, jewelry, ladies accessories, Del-themed keepsakes) is top of the line.