How to spend a day in Coronado: Exploring San Diego’s Crown Jewel
Welcome to San Diego! In this walking tour we’ll take the ferry across the bay to explore beautiful Coronado, home to the world-famous Hotel del Coronado. We’ll eat at a classic 1940s diner, check out the Wizard of Oz House, dive into Coronado’s rich history, and soak up stunning coastal views. Whether you’re planning a day trip or just curious what Coronado has to offer, this concise guide walks you through the island’s top highlights.
🎥 Watch the full video tour here:
💬 Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. This helps support my work and allows me to keep creating free travel content. I only recommend places, products, and experiences I truly love and think you’ll enjoy too.
🚤 Ferry to Coronado
Start your adventure by taking the Coronado Ferry from downtown San Diego. The ferry departs from either the Convention Center Terminal or Broadway Pier, costs $9 each way, and takes about 10 minutes. Along the ride, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the San Diego skyline, Coronado Bridge, and even the USS Midway aircraft carrier.
💡 Pro tip:
The route from/to the Convention Center Terminal offers the best views of the Coronado Bridge, while the Broadway Pier route gives you fantastic views of the San Diego skyline and the USS Midway. In my opinion, the Broadway Pier route is the more scenic one. You could take the ferry to Coronado from one terminal and then back to the other one - that way, you get the best of both worlds.
🤗 Fun fact: Coronado is often called “Coronado Island”, but it’s actually connected to the mainland via Silver Strand Beach.
🚗 Alternative: If you’d rather drive, you can cross the Coronado Bridge or head south to Imperial Beach and follow the Silver Strand scenic route into the heart of Coronado.
🛳️ Supplier Info: The ferry is operated by Flagship Cruises. You can check the schedule and buy tickets online or purchase them directly at either terminal.
👉 Flagship Cruises also offers a San Diego Harbor Cruise, which you can conveniently book via GetYourGuide.
🛍️ Coronado Ferry Landing
This is the perfect place to start exploring Coronado. Here you’ll find restaurants, boutique shops, bike and watersport rentals, and plenty of waterfront views overlooking downtown San Diego.
We’ll circle back here at the end of the tour to visit the Coronado Tasting Room before catching the ferry back—more on that later!
ℹ️ Helpful info: For a full overview of dining, shopping, and activities, visit the Ferry Landing Website.
As you leave the Ferry Landing and make your way toward Orange Avenue, Coronado’s main street, you’ll pass Tartine, a charming European-style café by day and cozy bistro by night.
🍺 Coronado Brewing Co.
As you walk along Orange Avenue, the main street through Coronado, you’ll pass several landmarks, residential buildings, shops and eateries. If you are ready for a cold pint at this point, I recommend grabbing a beer at Coronado Brewing Company, which has been around since 1996. It’s a full brewpub with a menu of food to pair with their beers.
As you make your way down Orange Avenue, Coronado’s main street, you’ll pass charming shops, cafés, and historic buildings.
If you’re in the mood for a cold pint, Coronado Brewing Company is a must-visit. Established in 1996, this local favorite serves up award-winning craft beers alongside a full menu of classic pub fare — the perfect spot to take a break before continuing your walk.
💡 Tip: Try their signature Islander IPA or Orange Ave Wit (an original since ‘96), both inspired by the laid-back island vibes of Coronado.
🏛️ Coronado Museum of History & Art
As you continue your walk along Orange Avenue, you’ll pass several landmarks that showcase Coronado’s charm and history:
Coronado Public Library: Housed in a beautiful Classical Revival building funded by John D. Spreckels in 1909. Spreckels was one of Coronado’s most influential figures, investing heavily in local infrastructure and owning the Hotel del Coronado for many years.
Coronado Police Department: Located inside what used to be the early 20th-century Heilman Villas bungalow court, built in 1922 in the Mission/Spanish Revival style and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Village Theatre: An Art Deco gem that first opened in 1947. After a $3 million restoration, it reopened in 2011 with three cozy screening rooms and stunning hand-painted murals by former Disney artist Bill Anderson.
Rotary Park: During the holidays, its 120-foot tree sparkles with more than two miles of twinkling lights. You’ll also find the beloved Coronado Flower Lady, who’s been brightening this corner with her colorful blooms since 1981.
After exploring these sights, make your way to the Coronado Museum of History & Art, part of the Coronado Historical Association.
Located inside the historic 1917 Bank of Commerce building, this free museum offers fascinating exhibits on Coronado’s history — from its early days to the legacy of the Hotel del Coronado. Don’t miss the vintage Hotel Del laundry vehicle and a short film sharing stories from the island’s past.
💡 Tip: The museum also offers guided Historic Walking Tours — a great way to dive deeper into Coronado’s rich past.
🏡 L. Frank Baum House & Star Park Circle
Just a short detour from Orange Avenue, turn right onto Loma Avenue to find the historic home of L. Frank Baum, the beloved author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Baum spent his winters here in the early 1900s and wrote three of his Oz books while living in this charming yellow home.
It’s said that the Hotel del Coronado inspired the Emerald City and other settings in his stories — and you’ll even spot small nods to Oz around Coronado in his honor.
📍 Address: 1101 Star Park Circle, Coronado, CA
‼️ Important note: The house is privately owned, so it’s not open for tours — but visitors are welcome to view and photograph it from the sidewalk.
At the nearby Star Park Circle, you’ll find several memorials honoring military families and service members, reflecting Coronado’s long-standing naval heritage. The circle is also surrounded by beautiful historic homes and offers a quiet, shady spot to pause before continuing your walk toward the Hotel del Coronado.
🏖️ Hotel del Coronado & Coronado Beach
Built in 1888, the Hotel del Coronado is one of America’s most iconic wooden hotels and a true Southern California landmark. It was originally the vision of entrepreneurs Elisha Babcock and Hampton Story, who dreamed of creating a luxurious seaside resort “where the tired businessman may come to rest and play.” Just a year after it opened, the hotel was purchased by John D. Spreckels, who played a major role in shaping Coronado’s development.
Start your visit at the Ice House Museum, which houses fascinating exhibits about the hotel’s history — this is also where the guided and audio tours begin.
Next, take a moment to admire the hotel’s stunning Victorian façade before stepping inside to see the grand wooden lobby and the beautifully restored Coronation Window upstairs. Then, stroll through the courtyard garden, where the Naiad Queen Fountain sits at the center, before continuing toward Coronado Beach.
Grab a drink at the Beach & Taco Shack, sink your toes into the sand, and enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific. Before you leave, don’t miss the Dragon Tree just left of the main entrance — this iconic tree appeared in the background of Marilyn Monroe’s beach scene in “Some Like It Hot.”
💡 Fun Fact: While rates today start around $400 per night, when the hotel first opened, rooms were just $2.50 per night — including three meals!
ℹ️ Helpful Info: The 90-minute guided tour ($45) offers access to exclusive areas and in-depth stories about the hotel’s fascinating past.
Check rates and book the Hotel del Coronado or other hotels via Expedia here:
⚓ Bluewater Boathouse & Tent City Murals
As you leave the Hotel del Coronado, you’ll once again pass the Ice House Museum and then the Oxford Building — Coronado’s very first hotel, originally built in 1887. The building was later moved to its current location in the 1980s and now serves as part of the hotel’s offices.
Just a few steps further across Orange Avenue, you’ll find the Bluewater Boathouse Seafood Grill. This charming waterfront restaurant occupies a historic 1887 boathouse that once belonged to the Hotel del Coronado. It’s now a favorite for fresh seafood, ocean views, and a relaxed coastal vibe — perfect for lunch or dinner by the water.
Nearby, the Tent City Murals offer a glimpse into one of Coronado’s most fascinating chapters — the Coronado Tent City, created by John D. Spreckels in 1900. This summertime seaside resort featured hundreds of canvas tents, a boardwalk, carnival rides, and even an open-air theater. It was designed as an affordable alternative to the Hotel del Coronado, and guests could stay for as little as $1.50 per week — quite the deal compared to the hotel’s $2.50 nightly rate!
💡 Fun Fact: At its peak, Tent City could host over 1,000 guests at a time, many arriving by ferry from downtown San Diego. It remained a beloved summer tradition until it closed in 1939.
🏰 Glorietta Bay Inn & Spreckels Mansion
Now it’s time to turn around and head back towards the Ferry Landing on the other side of Orange Ave. Along the way, your next stop is the Glorietta Bay Inn, where the elegant Spreckels Mansion serves as the centerpiece of this boutique hotel. Built in 1906 for John D. Spreckels—the influential businessman who once owned the Hotel del Coronado and much of Coronado itself—this grand home reflects the opulence of the early 20th century.
Walking through the mansion feels like stepping back in time, with its ornate woodwork, stained-glass windows, and historic charm. You might even catch someone playing piano in the parlor, adding to the timeless atmosphere.
💡 Fun Fact: Spreckels originally built the mansion as his personal residence after losing his San Francisco home in the 1906 earthquake. He and his family lived here for decades, helping shape Coronado into the vibrant community it is today.
☕ Clayton’s Coffee Shop
Step back in time at Clayton’s Coffee Shop, a classic 1940s diner that’s been a beloved Coronado institution for generations. Known for its horseshoe-shaped counter—the last remaining one in San Diego—Clayton’s captures the nostalgic charm of a bygone era with checkered floors, retro booths, and friendly locals chatting over coffee.
It’s the perfect place to grab a juicy cheeseburger, hearty breakfast, or an old-fashioned milkshake while soaking up the diner’s cozy atmosphere.
💡 Fun Fact: Clayton’s still operates a walk-up window outside, where you can grab coffee and pastries to-go — a local favorite for early morning strolls along Orange Avenue.
🌇 Centennial Park
As you continue along Orange Ave., you’ll pass Spreckels Park, a peaceful green space and home to community concerts in the summer.
As you get back to the other end of Orange Ave., you’ll see Centennial Park. This is the site of the original Coronado Ferry Landing and you can see the old ticket booth as you enter. This waterfront park offers unbeatable views of the San Diego skyline. You’ll also find the Birthplace of Naval Aviation Monument here, honoring Coronado’s deep ties to the U.S. Navy. From here, you can walk back along the waterfront toward the Ferry Landing.
As you continue making your way down Orange Avenue, you’ll pass Spreckels Park, a peaceful green space that comes alive in the summer with community concerts and picnics under the trees.
At the northern end of Orange Avenue, you’ll arrive at Centennial Park, once the site of the original Coronado Ferry Landing - you can still spot the old ticket booth at the entrance. This scenic waterfront park offers unbeatable panoramic views of the San Diego skyline, especially at sunset.
Take a moment to see the Birthplace of Naval Aviation Monument, which celebrates Coronado’s deep connection to the U.S. Navy. From here, you can stroll back along the picturesque waterfront path toward the Ferry Landing.
🍷 Coronado Tasting Room & Vom Fass
Before taking the ferry back to downtown San Diego, unwind with a wine or whiskey flight at the Coronado Tasting Room, a cozy local spot known for its California wines and small-batch spirits. Within the same space, its sister shop Vom Fass offers a fun experience for food lovers — you can sample and bottle your own olive oils, vinegars, and liqueurs straight from the cask.
It’s the perfect place to pick up a unique souvenir or gift, and a relaxing way to toast to your day exploring Coronado before catching the ferry home.
💡 Pro Tip: Love the olive oils or vinegars at Vom Fass but don’t want to carry bottles during your travels? Take note of your favorites — you can easily order them online later!
🚢 Time to Head Back
Now it’s time to hop back on the ferry and enjoy one last look at the San Diego skyline as the sun dips low over the bay. Whether you’re returning for dinner downtown or simply wrapping up your day trip, you’ll leave Coronado with memories of historic buildings, seaside views, and timeless history.
Thanks for joining this self-guided walking tour of Coronado!
Did you have a favorite stop or hidden gem of your own?
👉 Share your thoughts in the comments — I’d love to hear from you!
And if you enjoyed this tour, don’t forget to watch the full video tour (link below), check out more San Diego videos on my YouTube channel and explore my other digital walking guides for more destinations across the U.S. and Europe