Location: Coronado
Top Things to do in Coronado
10 Things to Do in Coronado That You Shouldn't Miss
Coronado is a resort city located in San Diego County, California, across the San Diego Bay from downtown San Diego. It was founded in the 1880s. Its population was 24,697 at the 2010 census, up from 24,100 at the 2000 census.
Restaurants in Coronado
1. USS Midway Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Located in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway (Museum) was America’s longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Today, the interactive museum is an unforgettable adventure for the entire family as guests walk in the footsteps of the 225,000 young men who served on Midway. Visitors explore a floating city at sea, the amazing flight deck and its 29 restored aircraft, flight simulators, and are inspired in the Battle of Midway Theater, included with admission. Admission also includes a self-guided audio tour narrated by Midway sailors in English, Mandarin, Spanish, Japanese, French and German. Visiting Midway is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in San Diego, known around the world as "Navy Town, USA."
Reviewed By Peter T
If you like history, and particularly military history, then this is a must see attraction. Be sure to grab a headset for the self-guided audio tour, it's a great supplement to simply walking around and reading. When you get aboard, do the "Island Tour" first, as it is popular and they can only get a given number of folks through in a day. The "Island" is another name for the bridge and control rooms. There is no extra charge.
Volunteers are great - most are veterans, and some even served on the Midway when it was in service. Their knowledge and experience is also a great supplement to the posted information, and they are more than willing to talk.
The website says it takes 2-4 hours to see. We spent over 6, and we didn't even do/read everything that we could have.
You can buy your tickets online and get $2 off the ticket price, and skip the ticket line. Though don't worry if you choose to purchase your tickets on site, the line moves fast.
2. Coronado Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
A mere two-mile drive from cosmopolitan, downtown San Diego, across one of the world's most distinctive bridges, is Coronado Island - a world away. Developed in 1888 as a beach resort town, and home to the famous Hotel del Coronado, the island is blessed with one of the finest beaches in the world and bathed in endless sunshine. Coronado today is a vibrant beach community loaded with charm.
Reviewed By Kevin V - Estero, Florida
Recently stayed on Coronado for a brief vacation (Loews Coronado resort). The entire peninsula is lovely, lots of green space, a nice compact downtown area, awesome views of San Diego (especially at night). The area around the majestic Hotel Coronado is very scenic. The nice thing is that it is only a short Uber or taxi ride over to most hot spots in San Diego. Very peaceful at our resort also.
3. Coronado Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 951 reviews
Popular surfing beach.
Reviewed By wilkintj - Richland, Michigan
We brought the cloudy weather, but our girls still enjoyed playing on the beach - in their fleeces. We're from Michigan, so even at 60 degrees, and cloudy, it was beautiful weather for early April.
The girls especially loved the 'gold glitter' in the sand here and looking for sand dollars. Of the five we found, two of them made it all the way home.
I enjoyed watching the military aircraft fly overhead and watching the navy ships.
4. Lamb's Players Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
A beautiful, intimate theatre in Coronado's historic Spreckels Building, with a year 'round production schedule.
Reviewed By BobandJosie - Reading, United Kingdom
We came across Lamb's Theatre quite by chance - as we were walking from the car park to the beach late in the afternoon. Yes, it was open, yes there was a performance that evening, and there were seats available. Bingo! We bought two of...MoreWe're glad you found us! Thank you for your good words. We hope you'll visit us again if you get back to San Diego!
5. Balboa Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
One of the most popular urban parks in the United States, this bucolic paradise is packed with an array of attractions, including the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
Reviewed By itinerary_queen_pa - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
We tried to visit Palm Sunday for the 2p organ concert. The line of traffic was crawling through the park. There was no parking available. We rolled down our windows and listened to the organ as we crawled along just trying to get out of the insanity. We had planned on visiting both the railroad museum and Japanese garden as well. After this bad experience and a wasted 90 min of our vacation stuck in park traffic, I hesitate to consider returning.
6. Coronado Dog Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Reviewed By jkzoo - Mansfield, Ohio
Beautiful beach where the dogs rule. So much to see and the dogs are so well behaved and having so much fun you can't help but smile.
7. San Diego Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Founded in 1916, the Zoo has been an icon in San Diego for nearly 100 years—and an absolute must-see in Southern California. Spend the day monkeying around in our tropical oasis as you visit beautiful habitats that are home to gorillas, eagles, tigers, sun bears, Asian leopards, rare reptiles, a palette of colorful birds, and more. Visit the Australian Outback to delight in our colony of 24 koalas, and travel along Panda Trek to experience giant pandas and other animals that share their bamboo forest habitat. Go back in time through Elephant Odyssey to discover what animals used to roam Southern California and see what the elephants are up to. Enjoy a guided tour on a double-decker bus or the scenic view from the Skyfari aerial tram, and dine in the peaceful surroundings of Albert's Restaurant. Discover the wonders of wildlife with animal encounters, interactive experiences, and keeper chats. A leader in animal care and conservation, the San Diego Zoo is at the heart of the San Diego experience.
Reviewed By Michelle248367 - Rochester Hills, Michigan
So much to see, it's great! Wear comfortable shoes, don't worry about style. Buy tickets in advance, get discount (best are through work or AAA) and save waiting in line at ticket booth. No coolers or straws allowed in park, but you can bring in food and beverages. We were glad we brought our own to control for cost and not eat things like hot dogs. Different areas of zoo have different selections. Suggest you start at Panda, line grows as the day advances. We had a great time as adults and teens.
8. Coronado Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163 reviews
The Coronado Visitor Center is located in the lobby of the Museum of History and Art. This should be your first stop when you get to this charming and historic beach town. Friendly volunteers provide complimentary maps, brochures, discount tickets and information about events and attractions in Coronado. The Visitor Center offers docent-led tours of the historic Hotel del Coronado and the charming downtown. Open Mon through Fri, 9am to 5pm, weekends 10am to 5pm.
Reviewed By prevere - Coronado, California
The center offers historical info, an occasional video presentation, and a nice gift shop. There are brochures about just about every attraction in Coronado and the staff is helpful. If you seek a unique gift or memory piece of Coronado, this should be your first stop.
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9. The Coronado Ferry Landing
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By on_the_go_98765 - Tucson
A wide range of restaurants from Burger King to upscale dining are available here and the shops are fun to poke around in. There is a public restroom facility near Coldstone Creamery. The setting is very attractive, lots of grass, well-maintained business buildings, and, of course, the Ferry Landing itself is here.
There are about 25 businesses here in Ferry Landing. The style has the red dome and flag toppings that have the flavor of the historic Hotel del Coronado.
This shopping mall/tourist spot is really close to Centennial Park which deserves a visit. We began our walk down near Hotel del Coronado and the Silver Strand and found this 2+ mile walk very pleasant.
10. Coronado Public Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By on_the_go_98765 - Tucson
The oldest part of the library dates back to 1890 and still retains its historical charm which so easily characterizes nearly all of Coronado. The newer additions seamlessly integrate with the old and the murals behind the librarian's space are works of art themselves.
What pushes this to a "5" for us is how the library seeks to improve the community (free book kiosks all over Coronado and movies for the kids) and how they offer great opportunities to buy books at their "Friends" self-service section inside the library as well as from "Second Hand Prose" resale bookstore around the side of the library.
There is a little food cart set up outside the library and it is popular with the school kids during lunch break. Concrete benches surround the library and gives ample opportunities to admire Spreckels Park across Orange Avenue. The public art sculpture (flying dragon) always stopped us in our tracks and caused us to visually explore this handsome beast from every angle. It's quite nice.
Coronado has a true prize here; this library is a landmark and an historic delight. Things like this make Coronado stand out.
