Navigating Coronado Beach in San Diego: Best Parking Tips, Access Points, and More

In this post, we will explore various beach access points on San Diego's Coronado Island. Due to a rock wall along Coronado Beach, you can only access the beach at the designated openings. We'll also provide information on the amenities available at each access point and their proximity to other attractions in Coronado. Additionally, we'll discuss the crowd levels you can expect in each area.

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Coronado Beach Access Points

1. Dog Beach

• Parking is available along Ocean Blvd and Ocean Drive.

• A dog-friendly beach.

  • The first beach access point is at Coronado's Dog Beach. Dogs are able to be off leash here, and parking can be found along Ocean Blvd and Ocean Drive.

  • Learn about where you can find San Diego's dog beaches if you'd like to enjoy the beach with your pups!

2. North Beach Access

• Located at the intersection of Ocean Drive and Ocean Blvd.

• Amenities: bathrooms, showers, firepits, and lifeguard tower 6C.

• Bike racks available.

• Street parking on nearby streets.

• Consider heading towards 6th Street and Balboa for less crowded parking.

• Proximity to restaurants, cafes, and shops is about one mile.

• The North Beach Access Point is situated at the intersection of Ocean Drive and Ocean Blvd. Here, you'll find amenities like bathrooms, showers, firepits, and lifeguard tower 6C. Bike racks are also available. During busy times, the beach can get crowded. Street parking can be found on the surrounding streets. If parking is scarce, consider heading towards 6th Street and Balboa, where you'll encounter fewer crowds the further you move away from the beach. Even if you park here, it's just a pleasant 15-minute stroll through the neighborhood to reach the beach, which is quite manageable. This area of the beach is nice and relaxing, but it is further away from certain amenities or activities. It is the furthest part of the beach from dining and sports rentals. That being said, you are still less than a mile away from the nearest restaurants, cafes and shops, so you should be able to walk to a majority of them in less than 20 minutes. Additionally, if you wanted to visit Hotel Del, but didn't want to move your car, it'd be about a 20ish minute walk along Ocean Blvd or the beach, and it is about a mile away as well

North Beach Access Point

3. Tower 5C

• A less crowded spot due to the absence of restrooms, showers, etc.

• Closer to food options than North Beach.

• Walk to restaurants, cafes, and shops within 10-15 minutes.

• Walk to Hotel Del Coronado within 20 minutes.

• The next access point is Tower 5C. This area tends to be one of the least crowded spots, most likely due to there not being restrooms, showers, etc., and it's an easily missed spot from the street. Also, there aren't any streets that directly run into it, as it's slightly off centered from the streets that run perpendicular into Ocean Blvd. This makes it naturally less trafficked than the other access points. From here, you are slightly closer to various food options than you would be from North Beach. The walk to the restaurants, cafes, and shops is just over half a mile and can be reached within a 10-15 minute walk. You're also closer to Hotel Del Coronado from here, and that walk is under a mile and can be reached in under 20 minutes.

Beach Access near Lifeguard Tower 5C

4. G Avenue and Ocean Blvd

• More cars and people on the beach.

• Direct access from G Avenue.

• Proximity to restaurants, cafes, and shops within a 10-minute walk.

• Walking distance to Hotel Del Coronado is about 10 minutes.

• The next access point is off of G Avenue and Ocean Blvd. You'll find that there tends to be more cars parked here and more people on the beach in this area. G Avenue runs directly into the access point making it more obvious to visitors. However, there are still no bathrooms or showers here. Yet, it is close to the next access point which has the main lifeguard tower, and also has bathrooms, showers, bike racks, and more. From this location, you're closer to restaurants, cafes, and shops with about a 10 minute walk. Additionally, it's about half a mile and a 10-minute walk to Hotel Del Coronado.

5. Central Beach (Isabella Avenue and Ocean Blvd)

• The most popular entrance with a lifeguard station.

• Numerous amenities: bathrooms, showers, bike racks, benches, and more.

• Consider walking further along the beach for a less crowded spot.

• Abundant parking during non-peak times.

• Proximity to restaurants, cafes, and shops is within 5-10 minute walk.

• Walking distance to Hotel Del Coronado is 5-10 minutes.

• The main access point, or most popular access point for the beach here is located off of Isabella Avenue and Ocean Blvd. and is known as Central Beach. The main lifeguard station is situated here and they have information posted on water temperature, high tide, low tide, sunset times, and more. There is a long pathway that goes a little over halfway down the beach, making it easier to walk onto the beach and towards the water. There are also a lot of bathrooms, and there are showers, bike racks, several benches, handicap accessible entry, and nearby volleyball nets. This area of the beach can become quite crowded, so if able, walking a little a better beach experience could be had by walking further in either direction once on the beach if you're looking to not be as close to others. This is the last access point where there tends to be an abundance of parking, as the further South you go after this point, there tends to be less street parking available. Additionally, from this access point, you are within a 5-10 minute walk to the popular restaurants, cafes, and shops off of Orange Avenue, and you're also within a 5-10 minute walk of Hotel Del Coronado. It is just over a quarter mile away to from both areas. This area of the beach definitely has the most to offer in regards to parking in combination with access to dining, activities, and more.

Central Beach Access Point

6. Loma Avenue and Ocean Blvd

• Close to Central Beach access point.

• Limited parking options.

• Proximity to Hotel Del Coronado.

• The next access point is off of Loma Avenue and Ocean Blvd. and it is very close to the Central Beach access point. Unless you are able to park right there off of Loma Avenue, which is full more often than not, I don't see much benefit in entering onto the beach here. It basically is in the same location as the main beach access point just slightly closer to Hotel Del Coronado, and without the pathway onto the beach or bathrooms. It's also significantly more difficult to park next to this entrance compared to the other access points. The closer we get towards the Del, the less options are available for parking, as there are often more people, making it difficult to secure a spot, especially on weekends, afternoons, or other peak times.

7. Ocean Blvd by Hotel Del

• Close to Hotel Del with clean bathrooms and dining options.

• The beach may be crowded due to Hotel Del's popularity.

• Limited parking options.

• The last access point here is going to be off of Ocean Blvd by Hotel Del. The boardwalk here continues to go alongside the Del and there is an area where it allows you to walk right onto the beach and would put you by Lifeguard Tower 3C. There are a few parking spots in a little turn out area, but they are almost always full, and if you're able to snag one then that would be some amazing luck! This access point puts you right on the edge of the Del, so you are just a few minutes walk away from their clean bathrooms and various dining options. Additionally, from here you're about a 5 minute walk away from dining and shops off of Orange Avenue. The beach here can be quite crowded due to Hotel Del being close by and it being a main attraction that people check out when visiting Coronado. This access point has the least amount of parking options available by far, so I wouldn't necessarily seek it out or have my sights set on getting onto the beach right there. Other than being close to the hotel, this area doesn't offer any other upsides compared to other parts of the beach.

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Related Posts:

• Guide to Hotel Del Coronado

• Things to Do on Coronado Island

• Guide to Coronado Ferry Landing

• Top Tours and Activities on Coronado Island

• Coronado Beach Water Quality

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In addition to Coronado Beach, there are other beaches you can visit:

Stan's Beach

• Located south of Hotel Del Coronado, on the other side of the rocks.

• Ideal for water activities like surfing.

• Parking lot accessible from Orange Avenue.

• Just on the other side of Hotel Del Coronado, south of the rocks, is Stan's Beach. At this beach, you'll find more people partaking in water activities such as surfing. Additionally, this beach does have its own parking lot which can be accessed off of Orange Avenue. During high tide, a lot of the beach is covered in water, and the beach can feel quite crowded and small because of that during busy times. However, if you're wanting to surf, Stan's Beach would be a great place to take a lesson or bring your surfboard to.

Stan's Beach

Silver Strand State Beach

• Plenty of parking, but payment required unless you have a pass.

• Isolated area with limited nearby activities.

• Consider other beaches if you seek more amenities and action.

• The last beach on Coronado Island is Silver Strand State Beach. There is plenty of parking here, but because it's a state beach you do have to pay for parking unless you have a pass. Additionally, this beach is in an isolated area, so keep that in mind if you're looking to be more in the action.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Coronado Beach Access Points

1. How many beach access points are there on Coronado Beach?

There are seven main access points along Coronado Beach, stretching from Dog Beach in the north to Hotel del Coronado in the south. Each offers different amenities, crowd levels, and proximity to parking, dining, and attractions.

2. Is Coronado Beach dog-friendly?

Yes! Dog Beach, located at the north end of Coronado Beach, is the only designated off-leash area for dogs. It’s a popular spot for locals and visitors to bring their pups year-round.

3. Where is the easiest place to park near Coronado Beach?

• North Beach and Central Beach usually offer the most street parking, especially outside of peak times.

• G Avenue and Ocean Blvd also provide direct access, but parking fills quickly.

• Near Hotel Del, parking is very limited, and spots are almost always full.

For less crowded parking, head a few blocks inland (such as near 6th Street and Balboa), and enjoy a short walk to the sand.

4. Which Coronado Beach access point is the least crowded?

Access near Tower 5C is often the least crowded, mainly because it lacks bathrooms and showers and isn’t as obvious from the street. It’s a great choice if you want a quieter stretch of sand within walking distance of restaurants and Hotel Del.

5. Which access point is best for families?

Central Beach (Isabella Ave & Ocean Blvd) is the most family-friendly. It has the most amenities, including bathrooms, showers, benches, bike racks, and lifeguards. It’s also close to restaurants, shops, and Hotel Del Coronado.

6. Does Coronado Beach have restrooms and showers?

Yes. Restrooms and outdoor showers are available at North Beach and Central Beach. Other access points, like Tower 5C and G Avenue, don’t have facilities, so plan accordingly.

7. How far is Coronado Beach from Hotel Del Coronado?

Hotel Del sits directly on the southern end of Coronado Beach. If you’re accessing the beach from Central Beach, it’s about a 5–10 minute walk to Hotel Del. From the northern access points, expect about a 15–20 minute walk.

8. Can you have a bonfire at Coronado Beach?

Yes! Fire pits are available at North Beach on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s one of the best spots for an evening bonfire with s’mores. See our Guide to San Diego Beach Bonfires.

9. Are there lifeguards at Coronado Beach?

Yes, lifeguard towers are stationed along the beach. Tower 6C (North Beach) and the main lifeguard station at Central Beach are the most prominent. Tower 3C near Hotel Del also monitors the southern area.

10. Are there other beaches near Coronado Beach worth visiting?

• Stan’s Beach (south of Hotel Del): Popular with surfers and has its own parking lot.

• Silver Strand State Beach: Offers plenty of parking (paid) and wide sandy stretches but is more isolated with fewer nearby amenities.

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Overall, Coronado has a lot to offer, and you can easily tailor your beach experience to have the perfect beach day.

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