Enjoyable Issues To Do & Logistics

Over half of the households I e-book into motels select Coronado—and for good cause. I spend lots of time on the island (together with proper now, penning this from my room at Lodge del Coronado!) and really feel it’s time to deal with steadily requested questions.

This information covers what households really want to know: favourite kid-friendly actions, find out how to get round, the place to park, and find out how to profit from your time—whether or not you’re visiting for the day or staying in a single day. The following tips mirror not simply my very own expertise as a San Diego mother and journey advisor, but additionally enter from native concierge groups and suggestions from our purchasers who’ve hung out on Coronado Island with children.

Prime Issues to Do in Coronado with Youngsters

Whether or not you’re right here for the day or settling in for every week, these family-friendly experiences are the muse of an excellent Coronado trip. A few of these standouts for households additionally seem in my full information to San Diego household actions.

Household-Pleasant Seashores in Coronado

There are various smaller seashores across the island, however these are the three hottest for teenagers. For extra data, see my full information to Coronado seashores.

Coronado Central Seaside
That is the primary seaside fronting Lodge del Coronado, and it’s widespread for a cause. It has broad, flat sand that sparkles gold with mica, best for sandcastle constructing and lounging. Lifeguards are on responsibility, restrooms are close by, and leases can be found by Del Seaside. That is essentially the most handy seaside for households staying at The Del, Glorietta Bay Inn, and different locations on this finish of the island.

Silver Strand State Seaside
About 4 miles south of the primary village, Silver Strand is quieter and extra spacious. It has each ocean and bay entry. (Individuals say the bay seaside is nice for toddlers, nevertheless it was a little bit murky the final time I used to be there.) Parking requires a day-use price, however households love the peace and additional house. Loews operates a seasonal seaside rental stand right here.

Glorietta Bay Park Seaside
This small bayfront seaside is ideal for very younger children because of its shallow, waveless water. It’s adjoining to a grassy park, playground, and picnic space, with restrooms and parking close by. A strong selection if your loved ones prefers calm over surf.

Seaside Actions for Households

Browsing Classes
Central Seaside is thought for its mild waves, making it an excellent spot for newbie surfers. Native surf colleges like Coronado Browsing Academy and Jamie O’Brien Browsing Expertise at The Del supply small-group and personal classes for teenagers as younger as 5. Boards and wetsuits are included, and instructors are expert at working with kids.

Sandcastle Classes
You may e-book Sandcastle Man San Diego. He’s a legend alongside the Coronado shoreline for ornate sandcastles, and he provides classes on find out how to create your personal sculpture within the sand.

Tide Pooling
At very low tides—particularly in winter—you may discover these San Diego tide swimming pools alongside the little jetty close to the south finish of Central Seaside. Count on to see hermit crabs, sea anemones, and even small fish.

Shelling
In the event you stroll the shoreline early within the morning, you may even see some treasures. I’ve picked up lots of complete sandollars right here.

Enjoyable Parks and Playgrounds in Coronado

Spreckels Park
Situated within the coronary heart of the village on Orange Avenue, Spreckels Park includes a shaded playground, a big grassy area, and picnic areas. It’s additionally house to summer time concert events and Artwork-in-the-Park occasions. It’s an excellent cease in case you’re strolling between retailers or eating places in Coronado with children, and I actually like that there are shade coverings over the play buildings.

Tidelands Park
Close to the foot of the Coronado Bridge, Tidelands Park (pictured in high photograph) consists of an all-abilities playground, fishing pier, skate park, and entry to the Bayshore Bikeway. It’s spacious, waterfront, and best for burning off vitality after lunch.

Glorietta Bay Park
This bayfront park features a calm seaside, a small playground, restrooms, and picnic tables. Households love this low-key choice for youthful children, and it’s a handy various to the surfside seashores.

Centennial Park
Subsequent to the Ferry Touchdown, this bayview park options open lawns, skyline views, and backyard paths. It’s extra for strolling or picnicking than taking part in, however nonetheless a scenic and worthwhile cease with children.

Household-Pleasant Actions Past the Seaside

See the Flamingos on the Coronado Marriott
The Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa has a small flock of flamingos within the lagoons close to the entrance entrance (on the proper in case you’re dealing with the doorway). In the event you’re staying close by or heading to the Ferry Touchdown, they’re enjoyable to go to in your option to the waterfront walkway there.

Water Sports activities in Glorietta Bay
The calm waters of Glorietta Bay are good for making an attempt paddleboarding or kayaking. Seaforth Boat Leases provides a wide array of substances, and the bay’s sheltered setting makes it approachable even for first-timers.

Gondola Rides within the Cays
The Gondola Firm operates 50-minute family-friendly rides within the Coronado Cays by Loews Coronado Bay. The gondoliers are wearing conventional apparel, they usually typically serenade passengers, simply as they do in Venice. Youngsters below age 3 trip free of charge.

Skate Park at Tidelands Park
This can be a enjoyable manner for older children to burn off vitality, and there’s loads of house for everybody to unfold out and play.

Village Theater
Village Theater provides comfy seating, a family-friendly film lineup, and a contact of old-school allure inside.

Coronado Public Library
Coronado Public Library supplies a relaxed and welcoming ambiance, making it a reliable break from busy seaside days.

Outdated City Trolley Excursions
This hop-on-hop-off tour trolley stops on Orange Avenue. It’s a enjoyable option to enterprise off the island to discover different San Diego neighborhoods like Outdated City, Downtown, or Balboa Park, reasonably than for getting round Coronado itself. The cease is on Orange Avenue close to Lodge del Coronado and it’s finest to get tickets upfront (use my promo code SAVEMORE).

Coronado Public Artwork Tour
Flip a easy stroll into an inventive scavenger hunt. The town provides a downloadable public artwork strolling map that guides you to sculptures, murals, and mosaics. Youngsters love recognizing every bit and checking it off their record.

Child-Pleasant Eating in Coronado

Most eating places in Coronado are kid-friendly, however listed here are some high picks that households love.

Clayton’s Espresso Store & Takeout Window
Inside, the restaurant serves basic diner fare like milkshakes, burgers, and big pancake stacks. However what I like is that you may get some San Diego staples right here to go from their Mexican Takeout Window. Seize a California or carne asada burrito and take it again to the seaside.

Miguel’s Cocina
Nice for sit-down Mexican meals close to The Del. It has the standard enchilada, quesadilla, and tacos sort menu nevertheless it’s well-known for white queso dip. Belief me, it’s addicting. Make reservations.

Village Pizzeria
There are two areas, one close to Orange Avenue and one on the Ferry Touchdown with a spectacular bay view. It’s constant, informal, and nice for choosy eaters. It’s good to keep away from chain pizza!

Burger Lounge
It’s a neighborhood chain, however Burger Lounge is a incredible choice for households who need a good burger. Their menu provides natural, grass-fed burgers, turkey burgers, and vegetarian choices. Tip: Get the half-and-half (half fries, half onion rings).

Mootime Creamery
No go to to Coronado is full with no cease at Mootime Creamery, which has been round endlessly. The menu options soda fountain floats, Mootacos (sugar cones in taco shapes with toppings on high), and big sundaes. I really like the peanut butter taste.

Picnic Choices
You may choose up provides from Vons, Panera (subsequent to MooTime), or Clayton’s and revel in lunch at locations just like the seashores, Spreckels, Glorietta Bay, or Tidelands Park.

Day Journey Logistics for Households

From parking to snacks, having a plan in place for a household day journey to Coronado makes the outing smoother, particularly if you’re touring with youthful children.

Arrive early
In the event you’re visiting on a weekend or throughout summer time, intention to reach earlier than 10 a.m. Streets and seashores refill shortly, and early arrival means higher parking and fewer ready at meals spots.

The place to park

• Ocean Boulevard: Free beachfront parking, however areas refill quick. I inform folks to not plan on it.
• Orange Avenue: Free two-hour parking, strictly enforced through license plate scanners.
• Residential streets: Typically your best option for longer visits. Simply look ahead to posted restrictions.
• Paid tons: Search for choices behind Vons, on the Ferry Touchdown, or the Coronado Plaza Storage. These are dependable, particularly in case you’re visiting with grandparents or want further comfort.

What to carry
Pack seaside gear, sunscreen, refillable water bottles, and a change of garments. Wipes, hats, and snacks are necessities. A change of garments for youthful children in case they get sandy or moist.

Restrooms to learn about

• Central Seaside Lifeguard Tower 
• Ferry Touchdown
• Spreckels Park
• Glorietta Bay Park
• Tidelands Park

In a single day Planning for Households

In the event you’re spending greater than a day, choosing the proper kid-friendly resort could make your keep rather more stress-free.

The place to remain
You may discuss with my information to Coronado Island motels for extra particulars.

• Lodge del Coronado: Iconic and beachfront. Gives family-friendly facilities and seasonal programming.
• Loews Coronado Bay Resort: Cheaper than The Del on Silver Strand State Seaside. Full-service resort with water sports activities leases onsite.
• Marriott Coronado Island: Situated on the bay, with nice pool areas and near Ferry Touchdown eating. You’d cross the island to the ocean seaside.
• Finances-friendly choices: Strive Glorietta Bay Inn (throughout from The Del), El Cordova Lodge (with suites), and Greatest Western Plus (close to Ferry Touchdown).

The place to fill up

• Vons: Full-service grocery retailer on Orange Avenue.
• CVS: For fast pharmacy and comfort wants.
• Supply: Use Instacart or Amazon Prime to have necessities introduced on to your resort or rental. Loads of our consumer do that!

Child & seaside gear leases
Companies like BabyQuip and Toddler’s Journey can ship the whole lot from cribs and strollers to seaside chairs and toys to motels and trip leases. A lot of our purchasers do that.

What to pack
The rule of thumb in San Diego is layers! Even on heat days, the coastal breeze can carry a chill. Solar safety in Coronado can be important. Relaxation assured you should buy something you forgot at retailers on the island.

Theme Park Day Journeys from Coronado

This can be a frequent FAQ I obtain from households staying in Coronado. These distances and instances are measured from Lodge del Coronado and are calculated with out site visitors, which there might be throughout rush hour. Don’t neglect we’ve got discounted tickets to San Diego theme parks.

• San Diego Zoo (Balboa Park): ~9 miles / ~10 minutes
• SeaWorld San Diego (Mission Bay): ~12 miles / ~18 minutes
• Sesame Place San Diego (Chula Vista): ~15 miles / ~25 minutes
• LEGOLAND California (Carlsbad): ~37 miles / ~43 minutes
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Escondido): ~37 miles / ~44 minutes

Getting Round Coronado (Transportation Choices)

Coronado is compact and family-friendly, however having a plan for getting round could make your go to a lot smoother, particularly with little ones in tow.

Strolling
The village core (round Orange Avenue) is walkable, with broad sidewalks and retailers, parks, and eating places clustered collectively.

Biking
The terrain is flat and best for bikes! Holland’s Bicycles, Wheel Enjoyable Leases, and SUP & Saddle supply leases. Surreys and little one trailers are additionally choices.

Golf Carts
Coronado Golf Cart Leases is a well-liked selection and a enjoyable, simple option to get across the island. You’ll want a legitimate driver’s license and must carry your personal automotive seat for younger children.

Circuit Shuttle
Anybody visiting Coronado ought to obtain the Circuit app simply in case. Circuit provides free, typically shared rides throughout the island and even all the way down to Silver Strand in an electrical shuttle.

Ferry
The Coronado Ferry connects downtown San Diego to the Ferry Touchdown. It’s a scenic, stroller-friendly trip that’s about quarter-hour lengthy.

Summer time MTS Shuttle
It operates from July by Labor Day and loops from the Ferry Touchdown to Lodge Del. It runs roughly each quarter-hour and is stroller-friendly.

Rideshare Companies
The “Uber Automobile Seat” choice (the place Uber supplies a seat) isn’t at the moment obtainable in San Diego. In case you have your personal automotive seat, these Uber and Lyft apps work nicely.

Seasonal Occasions to Plan Round

Coronado hosts a number of festive, family-friendly occasions all year long.

Fourth of July
Coronado is legendary for its patriotic parade, concert events in Spreckels Park, and fireworks over Glorietta Bay. Parking is a problem, and streets shut early—plan forward.

Skating by the Sea
From mid-November to early January, Lodge del Coronado opens a beachfront ice skating rink. Classes are booked on-line upfront, and skates are included. (Final yr, additionally they had a summertime curler skating rink.)

Vacation Parade & Tree Lighting
Held the primary Friday in December, this neighborhood occasion features a festive parade, carolers, and Christmas tree lighting at Rotary Plaza.

Summer time Live performance Collection
Spreckels Park hosts free concert events each Sunday night from Memorial Day by Labor Day. Deliver a picnic and low chairs—it’s a real native custom.

Household Actions Grouped by Space

If I’m lacking your favourite issues to do in Coronado with children let me know!