We took the ferry across San Diego Bay for a day in Coronado and ended up with the kind of afternoon that makes staying close to home feel like a getaway.
There were waterfront views, shops to browse and live music along the way. I loved that mix. A little time on the water and a change of scenery can do a lot for an ordinary day in San Diego.
Start with the ferry ride
The ferry was part of what made our outing feel like a mini escape. You get to begin the day on the bay before you even arrive in Coronado, which is a pretty good way to start.
Flagship runs ferries to Coronado Ferry Landing from Broadway Pier and the Convention Center’s Fifth Avenue Landing. The crossing is about 15 minutes, so it is easy to make the ride part of a day out. Pick the departure point that works best for you and save the return schedule on your phone.
A little shopping, a little time by the water
What I liked about our day was having a mix of things to enjoy without building it around one big attraction. We had the views, shopping and music, with room to enjoy being there.
The Ferry Landing is a lovely place to start if bay views and a relaxed meal sound like your kind of afternoon. Orange Avenue and the beach give you more to explore if you want to keep going. Leave time for the trip across town if the Hotel del Coronado area is on your list.
A café stop, a browse through the shops or time by the beach can be enough of a plan. If you are hoping to catch live music like we did, look up the events for your date.
Getting around without a car
We used the free summer shuttle during our visit, which made hopping between stops easy. For anyone planning from that summer tip, the free 2026 shuttle season ended September 7.
You can still plan a car-free visit outside summer. Regular MTS Route 904 connects the Ferry Landing area with Orange Avenue and the Hotel del Coronado area. Check the current timetable and fare for your date, then decide how much you would like to walk.
Bring comfortable shoes and a layer for the waterfront, leave yourself some wandering time and enjoy the little getaway across the bay. That was the best part of our day.
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