San Diego–Coronado Bridge

The San Diego–Coronado Bridge is a road bridge in San Diego Bay that features five lanes and follows a sweeping curved path from shore to shore. The prestressed concrete construction rises 61 meters (200 feet) above the water to allow large Navy vessels to pass beneath.

This bridge opened to traffic on August 3, 1969, replacing the ferry service that had connected the two shores. A toll system was in place for drivers entering Coronado until 2002, when it was removed.

At the southern entrance to Coronado, the blue arch shape of this structure reminds visitors how much the island access changed life for residents. Today commuters and visitors cross this link daily, while military personnel from the base use it as a direct route to their ships.

The roadway follows a wide curve, so drivers can view the bay from shifting angles as they cross. Cyclists and pedestrians are not permitted on this bridge, so access is limited to cars and buses.

This structure climbs at a grade of about 4.67 percent, then executes an 80-degree turn before descending to the opposite shore. The box girder construction technique used here represented one of the longest spans of its kind worldwide at the time of completion.

Location: California

Inception: August 3, 1969

Official opening: August 3, 1969

Length: 3,407 m

Made from material: prestressed concrete

GPS coordinates: 32.68650,-117.15830

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:03