Must-Sees For Your Coronado Weekend Vacation
Taking a short trip to Coronado island? There’s tons to do on the island and in the surrounding San Diego area. In fact, there’s so much to choose from that you might have a difficult time deciding what to do. Here are some suggestions for things you absolutely must see while in San Diego, so add these to your itinerary.
Spend an afternoon at the beach.
Yes, this is probably a given for most people, but we wanted to include it on the list because it’s just an absolute must-do for anyone in the area. The weather in San Diego is consistently amazing, even in the winter, so be sure to make the most of it by packing up your sunscreen and your beach towels and heading down to the shore. You can choose to go surfing or swimming, or just relax on the sand with a book if that’s more your thing. If you’re staying on Coronado, your logical choice for a beach would be the one on the west side of the island, but there are also plenty of other amazing beaches within driving distance, like Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Imperial Beach, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla Shores.
Explore Balboa Park.
This behemoth of a park is one of the most gorgeous areas in San Diego. It’s home to the San Diego Zoo - another must-do activity if you have the time and money - as well as plenty of amazing museums. You can also just stroll through the park and take in the beautiful nature, architecture, and lively street vendors. Head to the bridge on the west side of the park to take in some amazing views of the downtown skyline as well. Be sure to check and see if there are any events going on in the park while you are there, as they often host concerts and other gatherings that might be worth a visit.
Grab dinner and drinks in the Gaslamp District or Little Italy.
These two downtown neighborhoods are known for their incredible selection of food and drink options, and are definitely worth exploring. Little Italy is quieter, with a great assortment of high-quality sit-down restaurants and cute wine bars to choose from. If you’re looking for more of a party, head further downtown to Gaslamp. This area also has tons of great restaurants, specifically seafood and steak joints. It is also one of the best places in San Diego for creative cocktails, with tons of unique clubs, bars, and lounges to hang out at. It gets crowded on weekends though, so be sure to get there early to grab a spot.
Check out boutiques, shops, and farmer’s markets.
San Diego and Coronado are amazing places to shop. There are tons of boutiques worth checking out in virtually every neighborhood, from Coronado to North Park to downtown and more. The city is also home to several large malls, including Horton Plaza and Fashion Valley, if you prefer that type of atmosphere. Finally, be sure to check out one of the city’s many amazing farmer’s markets while you’re there. There’s one in Little Italy on Saturday mornings, Hillcrest on Sundays, and Coronado on Tuesdays.
Stroll through Old Town.
This neighborhood contains some of the oldest buildings in San Diego, as well as plenty of touristy shops and great Mexican restaurants and bars. It’s particularly fun to stroll through during the late afternoon, when traffic starts to pick up and people watching gets particularly interesting. The area is also very easily accessible via the trolley.
These are just a few of the many amazing things to do in the San Diego/Coronado area. Be sure to check them out while you’re in town!