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Things to do in
Coronado

Our most recommended things to do in Coronado

San Diego: Harbor Cruise

1. San Diego: Harbor Cruise

See San Diego's best sights. Learn about the city and enjoy a cruise on the bay. Depending on the option booked, this tour takes you under the Coronado Bridge, past military ships, waterfront landmarks, and marine life for a look at San Diego's scenic beauty and fascinating history. This tour’s luxury ships offer three levels with comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, 360-degree views, and an on-board snack bar serving snacks, soda, beer, wine and cocktails (available for purchase). This is a great way to experience San Diego from the water.

San Diego: Hop-on Hop-off Narrated Trolley Tour

2. San Diego: Hop-on Hop-off Narrated Trolley Tour

Join the Hop-on Hop-Off Tour of Old Town San Diego at any of the tour's 12 boarding points and visit more than 100 interesting points in Coronado and San Diego at your own pace. You can begin at any time of the day and listen to the entertaining narration of the onboard conductors along the way. San Diego is known as America’s Finest City, and as you explore the sights of Old Town and the scenic coastline you’ll see why. Opt to begin your tour at the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, where you’ll see original adobe homes and artifacts from the earliest Mexican settlements. At the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, you’ll learn about the importance of the U.S. Navy's presence in San Diego. Then continue on to nearby Seaport Village, where you can stop for refreshments and enjoy shopping and entertainment. In the historic Gaslamp Quarter, you’ll find loads of shops and other interesting places located in Victorian-themed buildings. One particular house of interest is the William Heath Davis House. Built-in saltbox style, it is similar to the original home of Davis, who founded New Town San Diego. When you’re back on the trolley you’ll be entertained once again by the conductor’s narration. Continue on to the well-known Hotel del Coronado, one of America’s leading resorts. You may choose to take a stroll through nearby Balboa Park, along El Prado, the promenade lined with Spanish-style buildings. With more stops than any other tour, this hop-on hop-off trolley ride is guaranteed to deliver. In addition to sightseeing, enjoy free shuttle service to and from select area hotels, a map and day planner, and $70 in discount coupons to use at restaurants and area attractions. Hop on or hop off at 12 convenient stops: A - Old Town State Historic Park (4010 Twiggs St & San Diego Ave.) B - Maritime Museum of San Diego/Star of India (1492 N Harbor Dr) C - San Diego Embarcadero (1004 N. Harbor Dr) D - Headquarters at Seaport Village (789 W Harbor Dr) E - Seaport Village (825 W Harbor Dr) F - Marriott Marquis & Marina (333 W Harbor Dr) G - Gaslamp Quarter (480 4th Ave) H - Petco Park/San Diego Convention Center (855 E Harbor Dr) I - Barrio Logan (1113 E.Cesar Chavez Pkwy) J - Coronado/Orange Avenue (1107 Orange Ave) K - Balboa Park and El Prado Museums (2175 Presidents Way) L - Little Italy (1605 India St)

San Diego: City Lights Night Trolley Tour

3. San Diego: City Lights Night Trolley Tour

Your 90-minute night tour boards in Seaport Village and starts off by exploring the West Coast’s premier entertainment district, known as the Gaslamp Quarter, full of vibrant nightlife, bright lights, and Victorian architecture.   Then, make your way to Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the U.S., where stunning buildings, fountains, and statues glow bright at night. From Balboa Park, drive to the top of Coronado Bridge for more spectacular sights, including the lights coming in from Tijuana, Mexico, the bay, and Downtown San Diego. Then, travel to Coronado’s Ferry Landing for a 20-minute stop to take in the stunning beauty of the San Diego city skyline, visible from across the bay and a perfect photo opportunity. From Coronado, make your way back to San Diego to take in the Embarcadero’s bay-front views. You’ll see the Historic County Administration Building, Maritime Museum’s Star of India, the USS Midway Museum, and Navy aircraft carriers from across the bay. The tour ends in Seaport Village.

San Diego: Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride

4. San Diego: Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride

Embark on a thrilling adventure on the San Diego bay as you zip and zoom past military ships, along the downtown skyline, and under the iconic Coronado Bridge. With rock music pumping, feel the wind and the refreshing spray of the San Diego bay as the Patriot carves 360-degree turns and reaches speeds upwards of 50 miles per hour. There's no experience like it. Enjoy gorgeous views on a 30-minute tour on an open-air jet boat. No two Patriot trips are the same, but this is not just a random joy ride through the bay. You will be taken past San Diego's most beautiful waterfront sights including: USS Midway Aircraft Carrier, North Island Naval Air Station, Coronado Bridge, Star of India and the iconic ships of the Maritime Museum, as well as the San Diego skyline. You may get wet, but ponchos are provided.

San Diego: Gaze at Wild Whales and Dolphins on a Cruise

5. San Diego: Gaze at Wild Whales and Dolphins on a Cruise

Embark on a marine life adventure on a dolphin and whale watching tour off the coast of San Diego. Keep a lookout for gray whales, blue whales, common dolphins, and more as you glide over the Pacific Ocean's dark blue waters. San Diego is one of the best locations to watch whales year-round. Gray Whales migrate winter-spring from feeding grounds in Alaskan waters to calving lagoons in Baja California and back. In summer, the legendary Blue Whales, the largest animals on Earth, commonly feed off-shore of the San Diego coast.  You may also spot Fin, Blue, Humpback, and Minke whales during the summer whale watching season. Additionally, you'll often see pods of Dolphins including Risso’s, Common, Pacific White-Sided, and Bottlenose Dolphins. Your captain will also highlight other wildlife such as Sea Lions, various fish like Mola Mola (Sunfish), and a variety of marine birds such as Herons, Terns, Pelicans, and Gulls.  View these extraordinary mammals in the wild on this spectacular cruise. The expert crew will help you locate these creatures and additional marine wildlife, such as dolphins and sea lions. Learn about marine life and local environmental efforts from professional captains and whalers who work at the San Diego Natural History Museum.  You may even spot a whale calf traveling with its mother as they return from the Arctic. This is a fantastic and exhilarating journey for all age groups. Guaranteed whale or dolphin sighting. If you don't sight some type of whale or dolphin during the cruise, you'll be issued a pass that's good for another San Diego whale watching or harbor cruise. San Diego is quickly becoming one of the world’s best whale watching locations. The city is home to whales, dolphins, and sea birds, and features one of the world's most beautiful coastlines.  Enjoy live educational narration from captains and trained naturalists employed by the Natural History Museum.  Watch blue whales and dolphins in comfort on a large, fast, and stable boat!

San Diego: Go City Explorer Pass - Choose 2-7 Attractions

6. San Diego: Go City Explorer Pass - Choose 2-7 Attractions

Experience San Diego's top attractions and tours and get up to 50%* off combined admission with Go City's Explorer Pass. Simply choose 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 top attractions from over 40 options and go at your own pace - you have 60 days to use your pass from first activation. Visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo or the USS Midway Museum. Explore more of the city with a hop-on hop-off trolley tour, or kayak in beautiful La Jolla. The possibilities are endless. Your pass is fully digital and no physical card is required. Simply download your pass directly to your smartphone or print at home. Show your pass at each attraction for quick and easy entrance. Choose from the following things to do in San Diego with the San Diego Explorer Pass: Museums and Places of Interest • San Diego Zoo OR San Diego Zoo Safari Park (choose 1) • USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum • Belmont Park Ride and Play Pass • Maritime Museum of San Diego • Air and Space Museum • Birch Aquarium at Scripps • The Fleet Science Center with IMAX • San Diego Natural History Museum • Museum of Us • Living Coast Discovery Center • San Diego Museum of Art • San Diego Model Railroad Museum • Japanese Friendship Garden • PETCO Park Tour - Home of the San Diego Padres • San Diego Automotive Museum • Mingei International Museum • The Whaley House Museum Tours and Activities • 90-Min Best Of The Bay Harbor Tour by City Cruises • 2-Day Hop-On Hop-off Old Town San Diego Trolley • Living Coast Discovery Center • San Diego Speed Boat Adventures • 45 Min. Jet Ski Rental • Whale Watching by City Cruises • Plunge San Diego • San Diego Fishing Tour • San Diego Hiking Tour • La Jolla: Kayak Rental, Stand Up Paddle Board Rental, Surf Board Rental or Bike Rental • Coronado: Kayak Rental, Stand Up Paddle Board Rental, or Bike Rental • UTC Ice Sports Center • San Diego City Tour • GoCar San Diego Tours 1-Hour • Patriot Jet Boat • Best of San Diego eBike Tour • Gaslamp and Balboa Park Bike Rental with Unlimited Biking • Go Car 1-Hour Night Tour • Asylum Outdoor Bouldering • Gaslamp Ghost Walking Tour • Haunted Old Town Walking History + Paranormal Investigation • Historical Old Town Walking Tour *Savings based on itineraries on Go City website.

San Diego: Gourmet Dinner Cruise

7. San Diego: Gourmet Dinner Cruise

Enjoy a dinner cruise from San Diego that combines culinary excellence with unforgettable scenery and ambient DJ music. Look for local wildlife as you sail and admire views of the city skyline, the Coronado Bridge, and the Cabrillo National Monument.  Stroll the spacious decks and watch the sunset before dinner. Dinner is a seated meal with an elaborate wine list, upgrades and additions, and vegetarian options. Savor crisp salads, braised ribs, oven-roasted salmon entrees, and luscious desserts After dinner, listen to relaxing music, as you enjoy your dessert and coffee. Photos are taken at beginning of the cruise and they can be purchased at the end when you return to your meeting point. Sample Dinner Menu For The TableAssorted bread and butter (V) Starter (Choice of One)Beet and baby arugula salad (G*) (V)Feta cheese | cherry tomatoes | balsamic vinaigrette SIGNATURE SEAFOOD CHOWDER (G*)Signature seafood chowder (G*)Clams | flounder | potatoes | cream Main (Choice of One)Root vegetable fricassee (G*) (VG) (V)Butternut squash | cauliflower | zucchini | grape tomatoes | gremolata | cauliflower coconut cream sauce Broiled salmon filet with roasted tomato vinaigretteLemon orzo | farm-fresh seasonal vegetables Oven-roasted chicken breast with rosemary and thymeRoasted new red potato salad with scallions | haricot verts | creamy mushroom sauce Braised beef short ribs with Fresno pepper demi-glace (G*)Garlic mashed potatoes | baby carrots | broccoli Dessert (Choice of One)Signature chocolate cake (V)Creme Anglaise | raspberry coulis | candied pecans  Mixed fruit (G*) (VG) (V)Madagascar vanilla and orange cream New York-style cheesecake (V)Lemon mascarpone cream | blueberry compote (may contain nuts) *Menus subject to change

San Diego: All-Inclusive Pass with 50+Attractions

8. San Diego: All-Inclusive Pass with 50+Attractions

Simply choose between a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7-day pass and save up to 50%* compared to the cost of buying separate attraction tickets. The San Diego All-Inclusive Pass is an all-access pass offering the ultimate in convenience and savings for visitors to the area. Visit the San Diego Zoo, LEGOLAND, The U.S.S. Midway, take a sightseeing harbor cruise, rent a bike, stand-up paddleboard, and much more. With a total of over 50 attractions and tours included with your pass, there is something for everyone and you can visit as many attractions as you like per day. The San Diego All-Inclusive Pass also comes with a digital guide including helpful attraction information including how to get there and opening times. Activities, attractions, and tours included on the San Diego All-Inclusive Pass: Theme Parks and Zoos • San Diego Zoo • SeaWorld San Diego • San Diego Zoo Safari Park • Belmont Park • Knott's Berry Farm • LEGOLAND California Outdoors • La Jolla: 90-min Tandem Kayak Rental • La Jolla: All-Day Bike Rental • La Jolla: Surfboard Rental • La Jolla: Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) Rental • Coronado: 90-min Tandem Kayak Rental • Coronado: SUP Board Rental • Coronado: Full-Day Bike Rental • San Diego Pier Fishing • Best of San Diego eBike Tour • Gaslamp and Balboa Park Bike Rental with Unlimited Biking • Asylum Outdoor Bouldering Tours and Cruises • 90-Min Best Of The Bay Harbor Tour by City Cruises • Whale Watching by City Cruises • Whale Watch & Dolphin Tour - Beautiful Newport Beach • San Diego Hiking Tour • One Way Coronado Ferry • Petco Park Tours - home of the San Diego Padres • TCL Chinese Theatre Tour OR Movie with Drink • Gaslamp Ghost Walking Tour • Haunted Old Town Walking History + Paranormal Investigation • Historical Old Town Walking Tour Museums and Places of Interest • USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum • Japanese Friendship Garden • San Diego Air and Space Museum • San Diego Natural History Museum • The Fleet Science Center with IMAX • Birch Aquarium at Scripps • Museum of Us • Madame Tussauds Hollywood • San Diego Automotive Museum • San Diego Model Railroad Museum • San Diego Museum of Art • The Whaley House Museum • Coronado Historical Association • San Diego Art Institute • The Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House • Mingei International Museum • The Plunge San Diego • Living Coast Discovery Center • Museum of Making Music • Richard Nixon Library • UTC Ice Sports Center • South Coast Shop & Dine Package *Savings based on sample itineraries on Go City website.

San Diego: Drive Your Own Speed Boat 2-Hour Tour

9. San Diego: Drive Your Own Speed Boat 2-Hour Tour

Ideal for those with a free spirit and sense of adventure, but who don't want to miss out on a guided tour, this 2-hour excursion combines the best of both worlds. You will be the captain of your own speed boat, all the while following a trained, knowledgeable guide as they keep you informed via the 2-way communication system that’s mounted in each boat. Hear the guide’s witty, yet historical narration as you cruise the harbor, seeing such luminous sights as the Russian submarine at San Diego Maritime Museum, the USS Midway and the skyline of downtown San Diego. Exhilarating and spontaneous, with laugh-out-loud moments, the thrill of driving your own boat, as well as the safety of having a skilled guide introduce you to the highlights makes for a perfect combination. Even the sea lions will give you a cheer!

San Diego: Bay Sights and Sips Sunset Cruise

10. San Diego: Bay Sights and Sips Sunset Cruise

Come aboard the only floating happy hour in San Diego. The Sights & Sips Sunset Cruise on San Diego Bay includes complimentary appetizers, a no-host bar featuring refreshing drink specials and a perfectly timed sunset every Friday and Saturday throughout the summer. Get ready to enjoy the sights and sounds of the magnificent San Diego Bay. The bay boasts some of America's most historic warships such as the USS Ronald Reagan and the USS Midway as well as playing host to the scenic sights of the Coronado Bay Bridge and Seaport Village. Take part in a cruise experience where the celebration begins the moment you come on-board. Start with cocktails on deck, then relax as our gracious crew transports you to a world of ease and luxury. You and your guests will feel pampered, privileged, relaxed and refreshed. Quench your happy hour thirst aboard the Sights & Sips Sunset Cruise.

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Frequently asked questions about Coronado

What are the best day trips and excursions from Coronado?

The best day trips and excursions from Coronado are:

San Diego

Other Sightseeing Options in Coronado

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What people are saying about Coronado

Overall rating

4.5
(1,582 reviews)

San Diego has so many great sights to see. The driver was excellent in explaining the sights. This was an excellent way to start a San Diego vacation. It ends at an excellent shopping and dining area too.

Great way to see all attractions and the different districts of San Diego. The guides were informative and witty. We would definitely recommend this Hop on Hop off Trolley tour.

We hopped around San Diego for a few days while visiting relatives and hitting a couple concerts. Drivers were very friendly and informative

We had a great day. Saw a lot more than we expected. George our guide was very informative

We enjoyed the San Diego history lessons that were presented.