Family Guide With Insider Tips

Over half of the families I book into hotels choose Coronado—and for good reason. I spend a lot of time on the island (including right now, writing this from my room at Hotel del Coronado!) and feel it’s time to address frequently asked questions.

This guide covers what families really need to know: favorite kid-friendly activities, how to get around, where to park, and how to make the most of your time—whether you’re visiting for the day or staying overnight. These tips reflect not just my own experience as a San Diego mom and travel advisor, but also input from local concierge teams and feedback from our clients who’ve spent time on Coronado Island with kids.

Top Things to Do in Coronado with Kids

Whether you’re here for the day or settling in for a week, these family-friendly experiences are the foundation of a great Coronado vacation. Some of these standouts for families also appear in my full guide to San Diego family activities.

Family-Friendly Beaches in Coronado

There are many smaller beaches around the island, but these are the three most popular for kids. For more information, see my full guide to Coronado beaches.

Coronado Central Beach
This is the main beach fronting Hotel del Coronado, and it’s popular for a reason. It has wide, flat sand that sparkles gold with mica, ideal for sandcastle building and lounging. Lifeguards are on duty, restrooms are nearby, and rentals are available through Del Beach. This is the most convenient beach for families staying at The Del, Glorietta Bay Inn, and other places on this end of the island.

Silver Strand State Beach
About four miles south of the main village, Silver Strand is quieter and more spacious. It has both ocean and bay access. (People say the bay beach is great for toddlers, but it was a little murky the last time I was there.) Parking requires a day-use fee, but families love the peace and extra space. Loews operates a seasonal beach rental stand here.

Glorietta Bay Park Beach
This small bayfront beach is perfect for very young kids thanks to its shallow, waveless water. It’s adjacent to a grassy park, playground, and picnic area, with restrooms and parking nearby. A solid choice if your family prefers calm over surf.

Beach Activities for Families

Surfing Lessons
Central Beach is known for its gentle waves, making it an ideal spot for beginner surfers. Local surf schools like Coronado Surfing Academy and Jamie O’Brien Surfing Experience at The Del offer small-group and private lessons for kids as young as 5. Boards and wetsuits are included, and instructors are skilled at working with children.

Sandcastle Lessons
You can book Sandcastle Man San Diego. He’s a legend along the Coronado shoreline for ornate sandcastles, and he gives lessons on how to create your own sculpture in the sand.

Tide Pooling
At very low tides—especially in winter—you can explore these San Diego tide pools along the little jetty near the south end of Central Beach. Expect to see hermit crabs, sea anemones, and even small fish.

Shelling
If you walk the shoreline early in the morning, you may see some treasures. I’ve picked up a lot of whole sandollars here.

Fun Parks and Playgrounds in Coronado

Spreckels Park
Located in the heart of the village on Orange Avenue, Spreckels Park features a shaded playground, a large grassy field, and picnic areas. It’s also home to summer concerts and Art-in-the-Park events. It’s a great stop if you’re walking between shops or restaurants in Coronado with kids, and I really like that there are shade coverings over the play structures.

Tidelands Park
Near the foot of the Coronado Bridge, Tidelands Park (pictured in top photo) includes an all-abilities playground, fishing pier, skate park, and access to the Bayshore Bikeway. It’s spacious, waterfront, and ideal for burning off energy after lunch.

Glorietta Bay Park
This bayfront park includes a calm beach, a small playground, restrooms, and picnic tables. Families love this low-key option for younger kids, and it’s a convenient alternative to the surfside beaches.

Centennial Park
Next to the Ferry Landing, this bayview park features open lawns, skyline views, and garden paths. It’s more for strolling or picnicking than playing, but still a scenic and worthwhile stop with kids.

Family-Friendly Activities Beyond the Beach

See the Flamingos at the Coronado Marriott
The Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa has a small flock of flamingos in the lagoons near the front entrance (on the right if you’re facing the entrance). If you’re staying nearby or heading to the Ferry Landing, they’re fun to visit on your way to the waterfront walkway there.

Water Sports in Glorietta Bay
The calm waters of Glorietta Bay are perfect for trying paddleboarding or kayaking. Seaforth Boat Rentals offers a wide selection of gear, and the bay’s sheltered setting makes it approachable even for first-timers.

Gondola Rides in the Cays
The Gondola Company operates 50-minute family-friendly rides in the Coronado Cays by Loews Coronado Bay. The gondoliers are dressed in traditional attire, and they often serenade passengers, just as they do in Venice. Children under age 3 ride for free.

Skate Park at Tidelands Park
This is a fun way for older kids to burn off energy, and there is plenty of space for everyone to spread out and play.

Village Theater
Village Theater offers comfortable seating, a family-friendly movie lineup, and a touch of old-school charm inside.

Coronado Public Library
Coronado Public Library provides a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, making it a dependable break from busy beach days.

Old Town Trolley Tours
This hop-on-hop-off tour trolley stops on Orange Avenue. It’s a fun way to venture off the island to explore other San Diego neighborhoods like Old Town, Downtown, or Balboa Park, rather than for getting around Coronado itself. The stop is on Orange Avenue near Hotel del Coronado and it’s best to get tickets in advance (use my promo code SAVEMORE).

Coronado Public Art Tour
Turn a simple stroll into an artistic scavenger hunt. The city offers a downloadable public art walking map that guides you to sculptures, murals, and mosaics. Kids love spotting each piece and checking it off their list.

Kid-Friendly Dining in Coronado

Most restaurants in Coronado are kid-friendly, but here are some top picks that families love.

Clayton’s Coffee Shop & Takeout Window
Inside, the restaurant serves classic diner fare like milkshakes, burgers, and giant pancake stacks. But what I like is that you can get some San Diego staples here to go from their Mexican Takeout Window. Grab a California or carne asada burrito and take it back to the beach.

Miguel’s Cocina
Great for sit-down Mexican meals near The Del. It has the typical enchilada, quesadilla, and tacos type menu but it’s famous for white queso dip. Trust me, it’s addicting. Make reservations.

Village Pizzeria
There are two locations, one near Orange Avenue and one at the Ferry Landing with a spectacular bay view. It’s consistent, casual, and great for picky eaters. It’s nice to avoid chain pizza!

Burger Lounge
It’s a local chain, but Burger Lounge is a fantastic option for families who want a good burger. Their menu offers organic, grass-fed burgers, turkey burgers, and vegetarian options. Tip: Get the half-and-half (half fries, half onion rings).

Mootime Creamery
No visit to Coronado is complete without a stop at Mootime Creamery, which has been around forever. The menu features soda fountain floats, Mootacos (sugar cones in taco shapes with toppings on top), and giant sundaes. I love the peanut butter flavor.

Picnic Options
You can pick up supplies from Vons, Panera (next to MooTime), or Clayton’s and enjoy lunch at places like the beaches, Spreckels, Glorietta Bay, or Tidelands Park.

Day Trip Logistics for Families

From parking to snacks, having a plan in place for a family day trip to Coronado makes the outing smoother, especially when you’re traveling with younger kids.

Arrive early
If you’re visiting on a weekend or during summer, aim to arrive before 10 a.m. Streets and beaches fill up quickly, and early arrival means better parking and less waiting at food spots.

Where to park

• Ocean Boulevard: Free beachfront parking, but spaces fill up fast. I tell people not to plan on it.
• Orange Avenue: Free two-hour parking, strictly enforced via license plate scanners.
• Residential streets: Often the best choice for longer visits. Just watch for posted restrictions.
• Paid lots: Look for options behind Vons, at the Ferry Landing, or the Coronado Plaza Garage. These are reliable, especially if you’re visiting with grandparents or need extra convenience.

What to bring
Pack beach gear, sunscreen, refillable water bottles, and a change of clothes. Wipes, hats, and snacks are essentials. A change of clothes for younger kids in case they get sandy or wet.

Restrooms to know about

• Central Beach Lifeguard Tower 
• Ferry Landing
• Spreckels Park
• Glorietta Bay Park
• Tidelands Park

Overnight Planning for Families

If you’re spending more than a day, choosing the right kid-friendly hotel can make your stay much more relaxing.

Where to stay
You can refer to my guide to Coronado Island hotels for more details.

• Hotel del Coronado: Iconic and beachfront. Offers family-friendly amenities and seasonal programming.
• Loews Coronado Bay Resort: Less expensive than The Del on Silver Strand State Beach. Full-service resort with water sports rentals onsite.
• Marriott Coronado Island: Located on the bay, with great pool areas and close to Ferry Landing dining. You’d cross the island to the ocean beach.
• Budget-friendly options: Try Glorietta Bay Inn (across from The Del), El Cordova Hotel (with suites), and Best Western Plus (near Ferry Landing).

Where to stock up

• Vons: Full-service grocery store on Orange Avenue.
• CVS: For quick pharmacy and convenience needs.
• Delivery: Use Instacart or Amazon Prime to have essentials brought directly to your hotel or rental. A lot of our client do this!

Baby & beach gear rentals
Services like BabyQuip and Toddler’s Travel can deliver everything from cribs and strollers to beach chairs and toys to hotels and vacation rentals. Many of our clients do this.

What to pack
The rule of thumb in San Diego is layers! Even on warm days, the coastal breeze can bring a chill. Sun protection in Coronado is also essential. Rest assured you can buy anything you forgot at shops on the island.

Theme Park Day Trips from Coronado

This is a common FAQ I receive from families staying in Coronado. These distances and times are measured from Hotel del Coronado and are calculated without traffic, which there can be during rush hour. Don’t forget we have discounted tickets to San Diego theme parks.

• San Diego Zoo (Balboa Park): ~9 miles / ~10 minutes
• SeaWorld San Diego (Mission Bay): ~12 miles / ~18 minutes
• Sesame Place San Diego (Chula Vista): ~15 miles / ~25 minutes
• LEGOLAND California (Carlsbad): ~37 miles / ~43 minutes
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Escondido): ~37 miles / ~44 minutes

Getting Around Coronado (Transportation Options)

Coronado is compact and family-friendly, but having a plan for getting around can make your visit much smoother, especially with little ones in tow.

Walking
The village core (around Orange Avenue) is walkable, with wide sidewalks and shops, parks, and restaurants clustered together.

Biking
The terrain is flat and ideal for bikes! Holland’s Bicycles, Wheel Fun Rentals, and SUP & Saddle offer rentals. Surreys and child trailers are also options.

Golf Carts
Coronado Golf Cart Rentals is a popular choice and a fun, easy way to get around the island. You’ll need a valid driver’s license and need to bring your own car seat for young kids.

Circuit Shuttle
Anyone visiting Coronado should download the Circuit app just in case. Circuit offers free, sometimes shared rides across the island and even down to Silver Strand in an electric shuttle.

Ferry
The Coronado Ferry connects downtown San Diego to the Ferry Landing. It’s a scenic, stroller-friendly ride that’s about 15 minutes long.

Summer MTS Shuttle
It operates from July through Labor Day and loops from the Ferry Landing to Hotel Del. It runs roughly every 15 minutes and is stroller-friendly.

Rideshare Services
The “Uber Car Seat” option (where Uber provides a seat) isn’t currently available in San Diego. If you have your own car seat, these Uber and Lyft apps work well.

Seasonal Events to Plan Around

Coronado hosts several festive, family-friendly events throughout the year.

Fourth of July
Coronado is famous for its patriotic parade, concerts in Spreckels Park, and fireworks over Glorietta Bay. Parking is a challenge, and streets close early—plan ahead.

Skating by the Sea
From mid-November to early January, Hotel del Coronado opens a beachfront ice skating rink. Sessions are booked online in advance, and skates are included. (Last year, they also had a summertime roller skating rink.)

Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Held the first Friday in December, this community event includes a festive parade, carolers, and Christmas tree lighting at Rotary Plaza.

Summer Concert Series
Spreckels Park hosts free concerts every Sunday evening from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Bring a picnic and low chairs—it’s a true local tradition.

Family Activities Grouped by Area

If I’m missing your favorite things to do in Coronado with kids let me know!