Coronado

Coronado is a coastal community in San Diego County that sits on a peninsula between San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The town faces downtown San Diego across the water and connects to it by bridge and a narrow strip of land.

Kumeyaay families lived on the peninsula and fished the bay until the early 20th century. Investors from San Francisco purchased the land in the 1880s and established a town with wide streets and beachfront lots.

The name comes from Spanish colonial explorers who referred to the islands as Los Coronados, referencing their shape. Today residents and visitors gather at Orange Avenue, where shops and cafes line the sidewalks and parking spaces fill early on weekends.

The best time to visit is between spring and fall, when the weather stays mild and the beaches remain easy to reach. Cyclists and walkers will find flat paths along the bay and beach without steep climbs.

The historic hotel by the beach was built in 1888 as one of the largest wooden structures on the California coast. The architect used gas lamps and one of the first electrical systems in Southern California to impress guests.

Location: San Diego County

Elevation above the sea: 5 m

Website: http://coronado.ca.us

GPS coordinates: 32.67806,-117.17250

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:02