In this post, we will explore various beach access points on San Diego's Coronado Island. Due to a rock wall along Coronado Beach, you can only access the beach at the designated openings. We'll also provide information on the amenities available at each access point and their proximity to other attractions in Coronado. Additionally, we'll discuss the crowd levels you can expect in each area.
1. Dog Beach
Parking available along Ocean Blvd and Ocean Drive.
A dog-friendly beach.
The first beach access point is Dog Beach. I won't go into too much detail about this since it's a dog beach, but parking can be found along Ocean Blvd and Ocean Drive for here.
2. North Beach Access
Located at the intersection of Ocean Drive and Ocean Blvd.
Amenities: bathrooms, showers, firepits, and lifeguard tower 6C.
Bike racks available.
Street parking on nearby streets.
Consider heading towards 6th Street and Balboa for less crowded parking.
Proximity to restaurants, cafes, and shops is about a mile.
The North Beach Access Point is situated at the intersection of Ocean Drive and Ocean Blvd. Here, you'll find amenities like bathrooms, showers, firepits, and lifeguard tower 6C. Bike racks are also available. During busy times, the beach can get crowded. Street parking can be found on the surrounding streets. If parking is scarce, consider heading towards 6th Street and Balboa, where you'll encounter fewer crowds the further you move away from the beach. Even if you park here, it's just a pleasant 15-minute stroll through the neighborhood to reach the beach, which is quite manageable. This area of the beach is nice and relaxing, but it is further away from certain amenities or activities. It is the furthest part of the beach from dining and sports rentals. That being said, you are still less than a mile away from the nearest restaurants, cafes and shops, so you should be able to walk to a majority of them in less than 20 minutes. Additionally, if you wanted to visit Hotel Del, but didn't want to move your car, it'd be about a 20ish minute walk along Ocean Blvd or the beach, and it is about a mile away.
3. Tower 5C
A less crowded spot due to the absence of restrooms, showers, etc.
Closer to food options than North Beach.
Walk to restaurants, cafes, and shops within 10-15 minutes.
Walk to Hotel Del Coronado within 20 minutes.
The next access point is Tower 5C. This area tends to be one of the least crowded spots, most likely due to there not being restrooms, showers, etc., and it's an easily missed spot from the street. Also, there aren't any streets that directly run into it, as it's slightly off centered from the streets that run perpendicular into Ocean Blvd. This makes it naturally less trafficked than the other access points. From here, you are slightly closer to various food options available than you would be from North Beach. The walk to the restaurants, cafes, and shops is just over half a mile and can be reached within a 10-15 minute walk. You're also closer to Hotel Del Coronado from here, and that walk is under a mile and can be reached in under 20 minutes.
4. G Avenue and Ocean Blvd
More cars and people on the beach.
Direct access from G Avenue.
Proximity to restaurants, cafes, and shops within a 10-minute walk.
Walking distance to Hotel Del Coronado is about 10 minutes.
The next access point is off of G Avenue and Ocean Blvd. You'll find that there tends to be more cars parked here and more people on the beach in this area. G Avenue runs directly into the access point making it more obvious to visitors. However, there are still no bathrooms or showers here. Yet, it is close to the next access point which has the main lifeguard tower, and also has bathrooms, showers, bike racks, and more. From this location, you're closer to restaurants, cafes, and shops, with about a 10 minute walk. Additionally, it's about half a mile and a 10-minute walk to Hotel Del Coronado.
5. Central Beach (Isabella Avenue and Ocean Blvd)
The most popular entrance with a lifeguard station.
Numerous amenities: bathrooms, showers, bike racks, benches, and more.
Consider walking further along the beach for a less crowded spot.
Abundant parking during non-peak times.
Proximity to restaurants, cafes, and shops is within 5-10 minute walk.
Walking distance to Hotel Del Coronado is 5-10 minutes.
The main access point, or most popular access point for the beach here is located off of Isabella Avenue and Ocean Blvd. and is known as Central Beach. The main lifeguard station is situated here and they have information posted on water temperature, high tide, low tide, sunset, and more. There is a long pathway that goes a little over halfway down the beach, making it easier to walk onto the beach and towards the water. There are also a lot of bathrooms, and there are also showers, bike racks, several benches, handicap accessible entry, and nearby volleyball nets. This area of the beach can become quite crowded, so if able, I'd recommend walking a little further in either direction once on the beach if you're looking to not be as close to others. I would also say this is the last access point where there tends to be an abundance of parking, as the further South you go after this point, there tends to be less street parking available. Additionally, from this access point, you are within a 5-10 minute walk to the popular restaurants, cafes, and shops off of Orange Avenue, and you're also within a 5-10 minute walk of Hotel Del Coronado. It is just over a quarter mile away to from both areas. This area of the beach definitely has the most to offer in regards to parking in combination with access to dining, activities, and more.
6. Loma Avenue and Ocean Blvd
Close to Central Beach access point.
Limited parking options.
Proximity to Hotel Del Coronado.
The next access point is off of Loma Avenue and Ocean Blvd. and it is very close to the Central Beach access point. Unless you are able to park right there off of Loma Avenue, which is full more often than not, I don't see much benefit in entering onto the beach here. It basically is in the same location as the main beach access point just slightly closer to Hotel Del Coronado, and without the pathway onto the beach or bathrooms. It's also significantly more difficult to park next to this entrance compared to the other access points. The closer we get towards the Del, the less options are available for parking, as there are often more people, making it difficult to secure a spot, especially on weekends, afternoons, or other peak times.
7. Ocean Blvd by Hotel Del
Close to Hotel Del with clean bathrooms and dining options.
The beach may be crowded due to Hotel Del's popularity.
Limited parking options.
The last access point here is going to be off of Ocean Blvd by Hotel Del. The boardwalk here continues to go alongside the Del and there is an area where it allows you to walk right onto the beach and would put you by Lifeguard Tower 3C. There are a few parking spots in a little turn out area, but they are almost always full, and if you're able to snag one then that would be some amazing luck! This access point puts you right on the edge of the Del, so you are just a few minutes walk away from their clean bathrooms and various dining options. Additionally, from here you're about a 5 minute walk away from dining and shops off of Orange Avenue. The beach here can be quite crowded due to Hotel Del being close by and it being a main attraction that people check out when visiting Coronado. This access point has the least amount of parking options available by far, so I wouldn't necessarily seek it out or have my sights set on getting onto the beach right there. Other than being close to the hotel, I don't really know if this area offers any other upsides compared to other parts of the beach.
In addition to Coronado Beach, there are other beaches you can visit:
Stan's Beach
Located south of Hotel Del Coronado, on the other side of the rocks.
Ideal for water activities like surfing.
Parking lot accessible from Orange Avenue.
Just on the other side of Hotel Del Coronado, south of the rocks, is Stan's Beach. At this beach, you'll find more people partaking in water activities such as surfing. Additionally, this beach does have its own parking lot which can be accessed off of Orange Avenue. During high tide, a lot of the beach is covered in water, and the beach can feel quite crowded and small because of that during busy times. However, if you're wanting to surf, Stan's Beach would be a great place to take a lesson or bring your surfboard to.
Silver Strand State Beach
Plenty of parking, but payment required unless you have a pass.
Isolated area with limited nearby activities.
Consider other beaches if you seek more amenities and action.
The last beach on Coronado Island is Silver Strand State Beach. There is plenty of parking here, but because it's a state beach you do have to pay for parking unless you have a pass. Additionally, this beach is in an isolated area and there isn't much going on around here. Unless that's something you're looking for, I'd recommend the other beaches.
Overall, Coronado has a lot to offer and you can easily tailor your beach experience to have the perfect beach day.
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