10. San Diego

Proximity to a great city isn’t something all beautiful coastal areas share, but you have that here. Downtown San Diego, and all its nightlife and culture, business and art, is just 30 minutes away. Whether you’re in mind for the colossal offerings of Balboa Park, the Natural History Museum or the USS Midway Museum, you can go in the morning and still have an afternoon walk on the beach.

9. Friendly Public Spaces

Sure, you want to go to the beach, but you don’t want the hassle, right? Coronado Beach offers free parking on Ocean Boulevard and at Ferry Landing Marketplace. While those spots fill up, the city is proactive in addressing it, like designating lots for tourists and people visiting its resorts, to free up spots for locals. The beaches have restrooms, showers and lifeguards, depending on the time of year. And don’t forget the fire pits, located at many of the beaches.

8. Hotel Coronado

There are lots of fabulous hotels and bed & breakfasts and lodging but for the local, a highlight is the Hotel del Coronado, which opened in 1888. It was nationally recognized, thanks to outstanding features that included electricity. It was also different in appearance, stretching a long way down the coastline, well-trimmed and welcoming. New arrivals should take the Legendary Tour to get a full appreciation. One small detail: It was featured in Some Like it Hot, (1958) starring Marilyn Monroe.

7. Fishing

Whether you want to drop a line off the Ferry Landing Pier or go deep-sea fishing, Coronado is the place for you. You can tell a new arrival because they confuse the yellowtail fish, when can make the distinction between the Yellowtail and the Yellowfin tuna. While related, the Yellowtail is a jack fish. There are plenty of opportunities for sport fishing, and competition, as people chase tuna that can weigh as much as 400 pounds. And lots of charter companies to help you learn how to fish.

6. Cultural Activities and Events

Great climates need things to do year-round, and Coronado has a lot for its relatively small size. The Coronado’s Cultural Arts Commission provides an organized place online to see what’s happening week to week. Whether you want to take a class, see a show or exhibit or attend a festival — the Coronado Speed Festival features vintage car races — it’s all here and waiting for you.

5. Restaurants

You can’t go wrong when it comes to food. The Hotel del Coronado is the most often cited, but there are numerous quality restaurants with a view. Not surprisingly, there are delectable seafood offerings at places like Peohe’s and Bluewater Grill and Brigantine. There are also places like Leroy’s, a farm-to-table venue with craft beer and original cocktails, and everything from standout vegan to tradition burger joints.

4. Water Activities

Most people think of surfing, boogie boarding and paddle boarding when it comes to this locale, fairly strenuous activities. (Wind sports get its own place on the list.) But it’s easy to take it down a notch with some body surfing or swimming. A bonus is the calm, easy waters where you can degree of effort can be altered by facing west or toward the bay. And don’t forget low tide at Coronado Central Beach where lovely tide pools collect.

3. Sailing and Other Wind Sports

There’s nothing like consistent steady 5-15 knot breeze to bring out sailors, and these waters host more than their fair share of sailboats, from dinghys to large yachts. It’s also great terrain for sea kayaks and windboarders, and plenty of places to learn. Sailboat people should check out the Coronado Yacht Club, which has 1,200 members and everything with a fondness for the sport. It’s been in this location since 1946, although it dates back to 1913.

2. Weather

The standard tourism season, June thru September, is clear, warm — only occasionally hot — with consistent daily high temperatures that hover about 74°F. An extreme high would be 84°F. Winters bring partly cloudy skies and cooler temps, somewhere between 50°F to 76°F. An unusual low would be 44°F. As for rain, it average 38 days over the course of a year, for a total average of 9.49 inches of rain.

1. Beaches

The beaches of Coronado have an ingredient many others don’t that contributes to its regular placement on top world beaches: the mineral mica. It’s dashed through its golden sand it sparkles in the sunlight. There are also numerous options that cater to mood. For example, Central Beach, home the Hotel del Coronado, tends to be well-populated; North Beach has the Dog Run where four-legged friends can be off leash; and Silver Strand State Beach charges a fee but has small boats for rent and other amenities.