.jpg)
All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
For some places, development is fast and furious. It looks like bright, shiny skyscrapers and oversized attractions that drastically alter the skyline, shift the tourism landscape, and, worst of all, erase decades of history. Coronado has taken a much slower, more intentional approach to progress.
Although, in fairness, as the birthplace of the American beach vacation and one of the most beloved destinations for sun and surf in the greater San Diego area, it didn’t have much choice in the matter. So much of its present-day charm is inexorably linked with the past. In the late 1800s, East Coast elites used to take the five-day train ride across the country to enjoy the healing sea air and the laid-back Southern California lifestyle. Back then, it wasn’t so much a destination as one grand resort: Hotel del Coronado. (Spoiler alert: over a century later, the “crown jewel of Coronado” shines brighter than ever.)
When the Coronado Bridge opened in August 1969—its debut, fittingly timed to the 200th anniversary of the founding of San Diego—the peninsula became much easier to reach. For the last 56 years, vacation-bound cars have crossed the historic overpass, rolling down the windows to soak in the breezes and the sweeping views of San Diego Bay and downtown. On the other side, a clutch of holiday charms: sandy SoCal beaches, well-heeled accommodations, oceanside restaurants, and souvenir shops. Residents and out-of-towners were used to the legacy, the reassurance in things unchanged. So, for decades, Coronado stayed the same, minus the odd store closure or a Pilates studio popping up. And everyone seemed happy. Because familiarity is comforting, even better when it s sun-warmed.
But the thing about time is that it rarely stands still. Old buildings start to show signs of wear and tear. The next generation of travelers ages into becoming the vacation purchaser rather than the passenger. And so, evolution becomes necessary. Such is the case with Coronado. No longer just a nostalgic spot to splash in the ocean and build sand castles, the well-established Southern California destination has a bright future ahead thanks to new restaurants and design hotels (and a full-scale renovation of its grand dame) that, when combined with its existing infrastructure, promise to usher in an exciting era in its illustrious history.
If you’re looking for a West Coast beach vacation to take this year, consider Coronado.
Where to Stay
.jpg)
One of the largest wooden buildings left standing in America, Hotel del Coronado—affectionately known as “The Del”—is a terracotta-turreted vestige of another era, harkening back to a time when seaside resorts (this one in particular) were places for the old-moneyed families like the Carnegies, Rockefellers, and Vanderbilts to “summer” for three or so months. For 137 years, the beachfront icon has played host to discerning travelers who come for the striped cabanas, classic cocktails, and beach bonfires. After a six-year, $550 million top-to-bottom revitalization and expansion that wrapped in early June, the jewel of Coronado again gleams in all her Queen Anne glory. The vintage-inspired chandelier, hand-painted silk mural, oak reception desk, and beautiful stained glass windows share the spotlight in the rotunda lobby. The refreshed rooms show off floral wallcoverings, woven vinyl raffia headboards, and blue Chinoiserie lamps. In addition to the meticulous renovation that brought the grand Victorian building back to life, the landmark property recently added two new restaurants to its robust oceanfront dining area.
Hotel del Coronado looms large. For years, no one has dared to build nearby. In March, the first new hotel in three decades swung open its doors. Set on the former grounds of a Japanese tea garden created by John D. Spreckels (though the glossy finished product belies its tisane-steeped past), and more recently a longstanding motel (all that remains is the iconic diving lady neon sign), The Bower Coronado, a sleek 39-key boutique, looks more in line with the polished hospitality scene in Santa Monica than the sleepier San Diego Bay enclave it calls home. The interiors ride the current SoCal design wave. Anchored by clean lines, light wood, sandy neutrals, and floor-to-ceiling windows, the contemporary concept blends coastal and wabi-sabi influences. A departure from the more minimal spaces, Dive, the rooftop bar and restaurant—the first in Coronado—pays tribute to its former tenant, Villa Capri, with vivid color and lights. Besides stiff drinks, it supplies views of the turrets of its iconic neighbor and the boat-filled marina.
.jpg)
The Baby Grand, the second design-driven hotel from San Diego-based CH Projects (the first is the see-and-be-seen The Lafayette Hotel in North Park) will bring its fantasy-level maximalist leanings to Coronado later this year. A collaboration with the Brooklyn firm Post Company, the project promises a major dose of jungle-shrouded drama with swaying palms, climbing vines, bubbling water features, and rock formations. The bow to all things bold extends to the guest rooms, a delirium-inducing mix of massive clamshell headboards, custom tropical wallpaper, and oversized mirrored minibars, plus bathrooms complete with marble washstands and freestanding bathtubs. The 31-key boite will soon open with two restaurants: Fallen Empire, a swanky, reservation-only raw bar for bivalves, bubbly, and gawking at the ornate mosaic of sea creatures, and Night Hawk, a Greek taverna with large-scale statues and tasty skewers. There are also plans for an omakase concept down the line.
Where to Eat Drink
With its pleasant climate, Coronado is prime for year-round al fresco dining. This makes Veranda, which opened in April, both a brilliant business bet for The Del and an utterly delightful experience for patrons. As the sun begins its slow descent into the Pacific and the sky does its nightly outfit change, tuck into one of the front tables for ocean views, pull-apart Parker House rolls, grilled local artichokes, and Veracruz-style California halibut.
Fans of miso black cod and yellowtail jalapeño have been waiting hungrily since news broke that Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s famous Japanese restaurant would land on the shores of The Del. In May, the anticipation turned into refreshing OpenTable when Nobu del Coronado debuted in its new, 3,700-square-foot oceanfront home. In addition to the signature dishes diners gobble up globally, the Coronado outpost has some locally inspired menu items such as Tai sweet shiso and lobster truffle tempura.
The only Michelin-recommended restaurant in Coronado (at least at the moment), Serẽa at The Del does coastal fine dining on a sunny patio that’s one of the prettiest spots on the peninsula. Stunning setting aside, the food needs to speak for itself—and it very much does. It’s a sustainable seafood extravaganza where platters come packed to the gills with West Coast oysters, Maine lobster, and Mexican blue shrimp, and you can get whatever got hooked this morning, wood-grilled or flash-fried.
.jpeg)
While the parallels between Paris and Coronado are virtually nonexistent, visitors can still enjoy the atmosphere of the French capital in SoCal. Modeled after a bistro you might find in Le Marais or Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Little French does classics so well it would elicit a smile (or, at least, an affirming nod) from even the least emotive Parisian. Highlights include freshly made crêpes, croque monsieur, and artisan cheese boards made with imported French fromage. Of course, because it’s Southern California, the produce, meat, and fish are sourced locally.
.jpg)
Parakeet Cafe first put down roots in La Jolla in 2017 and has since expanded to multiple locations across San Diego, Newport Beach, and Los Angeles. The Coronado post combines both the cafe and juice shop offerings. In the Instagram-ready pink space, happy, health-conscious crowds dig into acai bowls and shakshuka and sip green goddess smoothies and charcoal lattes. Don’t leave without grabbing a few slices of the refined-sugar-free banana oat loaf to go.
Stake Chophouse Bar, self-styled as “not your grandpa’s steakhouse,” exudes a nostalgia and easy-going elegance that’s representative of Coronado. It’s familiar but far from stodgy. The food menu—which features heavy hitters USDA Prime, American wagyu, and Japanese A5 wagyu—isn’t the only reason to stop by. The award-winning wine program has earned Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for nine consecutive years. The restaurant is in the midst of a patio renovation and expansion that’s expected to finish later this year.
The latest concept from Blue Bridge Hospitality, founded by Coronado native David Spatafore, The Avenue Fish Oyster Company, is set to debut in early fall. Taking over the former space of The Islander, the soon-to-open restaurant, with a menu curated by chefs Paul Arias, Matt Sramek, and Ronnie Schwandt, will spotlight responsibly sourced seafood and wood-fired cooking. To complement the fresh catch? Classic cocktails and wine.
What to See
Coronado’s best asset is, without a doubt, Coronado Beach. Backed by the imposing Hotel del Coronado (which most would argue is a close second in terms of defining the destination), the wide, sandy stretch attracts many families who come to frolic in the water and let kids climb the rocks, plus sunbathers (The Del rents daybeds to both guests and local sunworshippers) and surfers looking to paddle out.
It bears repeating that Coronado is a place that’s best enjoyed outdoors. One of the loveliest ways to spend a few SPF-slathered hours is to bike (or walk, if you prefer) the paved six-mile loops around the island. Hotel del Coronado, right on Coronado Beach, makes for a central and hard-to-miss starting point. Key sights along the way include the Coronado Municipal Golf Course, the Coronado Bridge, Tidelands Park, and Coronado Ferry Landing.
Surfing is part of the culture of Coronado. Private and group lessons with knowledgeable instructors are widely available (any of the hotels will gladly arrange either). If you’re not keen to ride waves, there are still plenty of ways to get out on the water, from kayak tours and sunset sailing excursions to boat and jet-ski rentals.
For classic fun and stunning views of the city skyline and the Coronado Bridge, hop on the 15-minute ferry from Coronado to San Diego. (Sure, it’s not as swank as sipping bubbles on a private charter, but it’s one of those quintessential experiences.) Service from the Coronado Ferry Landing to downtown (arriving at either Broadway Pier or the Convention Center) begins at 9:30 a.m. and leaves on the half hour. Flagship Cruises Events, which operates the historic route, recently secured $15.2 million in funding from the California Air Resources Board to develop two fully electric zero-emission ferries to launch in fall 2026.