For an area of land that measures less than 33 square miles, Coronado Island in San Diego County boasts an abundance of parks available for public use. No less than 18 individual locations are arranged across the island’s picturesque landscape. Each one offers a unique and scenic backdrop, including sweeping shoreline vistas, quiet bayside retreats and historic residential neighborhoods.
Beaches and Bay
- Easily one of the best recreational beaches in the area, Silver Strand State Beach borders both the Pacific and bay sides of Coronado. The ocean side has a broad, sandy shore ideal for swimming, surfing and fishing. There is ample parking and plenty of restrooms and showers, and fire pits are available during summer. Pedestrian-only tunnels connect the ocean park to the bay side area. The beach there extends for 1.5 miles as part of a marine sanctuary. There are several picnic and barbeque stations for use, as well as spectacular views of the San Diego skyline rising just across the channel.
All Along the Waterfront
- For viewing the harbor and the city that lies across its expanse, Bayview Park and Harborview Park offer excellent vantage points. Not far from these is Centennial Park, which marks the historic location where pre-bridge ferries transported passengers to the island. Nestled beneath the looming span of the Coronado Bay Bridge lays Tidelands Park. Its location commands one of the best views of the harbor, featuring amenities such as a playground, parking, picnic area and restrooms. Continue west along the shore line and you’ll find more bayside treats, like Vista del Barco and a pair of locations heading south down the strand in Glorietta Bay Park and Coronado Cays Park.
South Side Discoveries
- Driving along Orange Avenue, Coronado’s main thoroughfare, you’ll encounter Spreckels Park. This sprawling section of verdant landscape occupies an entire city block and is a popular site for recreation and local social events. The park features an elevated bandstand, where live music is performed during the summer concert season. Not far from there, a trio of small parks, Matthewson Park, Cronan Park and Vetter Park, are tastefully situated amongst the network of fine signature homes that populate the neighborhoods of Coronado.
North Side Vantage Points
- Located on the very northwest corner of the island is the popular Sunset Park. Besides providing a great vista of San Diego bay, it affords an unobstructed view of the naval air operations that originate from nearby North Island. Heading east from the shore, there is another modest trio of parks, all triangular in shape. Bandel Park, Triangle Park and Palm Park have been integrated into the residential landscape. Palm Park, curiously enough, is not known for its palms, but rather a very large Torrey Pine tree that dominates the center of the park, providing relieving shade beneath its blossoming canopy.
