Coronado is a resort island city across San Diego Bay, about 3 miles from Downtown by water and 15 minutes by ferry, and it is the easiest day trip from the city. The Flagship ferry costs $9 one way (ages 4 and over) and leaves from Broadway Pier or the Convention Center landing for the Coronado Ferry Landing at 1201 1st St, which has shops, restaurants and bay views of the Downtown skyline. From there, Orange Avenue leads about 2 miles to the Hotel del Coronado, a red-roofed Victorian beach resort that opened in 1888 and is a National Historic Landmark. The wide beach in front of the hotel, Coronado Central Beach, is among the most photographed in California, with soft sand and shallow surf. Visitors can rent bikes at the ferry landing and ride the flat Coronado Bayshore Bikeway, walk the quiet residential streets, or browse independent shops on Orange Avenue. Naval Air Station North Island sits at the island north end and is closed to the public. A typical day includes a morning ferry, lunch on Orange Avenue, an afternoon at the beach and a sunset sailing back, which leaves the Downtown skyline lit up behind the boat.
| Distance | About 3 miles (5 km) southwest of Downtown across San Diego Bay |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 15 minutes by ferry |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Coronado Ferry Landing, 1201 1st St, Coronado, CA 92118 |
How to get there
- Mode
- Flagship ferry (walk-on)
- Cost
- $9 per person one way, ages 4 and over
- Frequency
- Broadway Pier hourly; Convention Center every 30 minutes
- Operator
- Flagship Cruises & Events (flagshipsd.com)
- Departure point
- Broadway Pier, 990 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, or Convention Center, 600 Convention Way
- Mode
- MTS Route 901 bus
- Cost
- $3 adult
- Frequency
- About every 30 minutes
- Operator
- MTS (sdmts.com)
- Departure point
- Downtown San Diego (Santa Fe Depot area)
- Mode
- Rideshare over the Coronado Bridge
- Cost
- About $15-30
- Frequency
- On demand
- Operator
- Uber, Lyft
- Departure point
- Anywhere in San Diego
Location
Coronado Ferry Landing, 1201 1st St, Coronado, CA 92118
32.6993, -117.1700 View on map
Highlights
- Ride the 15-minute ferry across San Diego Bay with skyline views
- See the Hotel del Coronado, opened in 1888, and walk Coronado Central Beach
- Rent a bike at the ferry landing for the flat Bayshore Bikeway
- Browse Orange Avenue shops and restaurants
- Watch the sunset skyline from Tidelands Park or the ferry
Tips for visiting
- Buy ferry tickets online at flagshipsd.com or at the landing; the fare is $9 each way for ages 4 and over.
- The Broadway Pier ferry leaves hourly and the Convention Center ferry every 30 minutes; check the last return departure (about 10:30pm and 10:55pm).
- Use the free Coronado Shuttle or a bike to reach the Hotel del Coronado, about 2 miles from the ferry landing.
- Beaches south of the Hotel del Coronado can close for water quality after heavy rain; check sdbeachinfo.com.
When to visit
Year-round; late spring to early fall for beach weather. Take a weekday morning ferry to avoid summer weekend crowds.
Accessibility
The ferries have accessible boarding, and Coronado is flat, with paved paths to the beach.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from San Diego to Coronado?
About 15 minutes from either Broadway Pier or the Convention Center landing to the Coronado Ferry Landing.
How much does the Coronado ferry cost?
$9 per person one way for ages 4 and over; younger children ride free. Tickets are sold at flagshipsd.com and at the landings.
Is a car needed for Coronado?
No. Bikes, the free island shuttle and walking cover the ferry landing, Orange Avenue and the beach.