San Diego is an active city. People here go for hikes, walks, runs, surfs, paddleboards, kayaks, cliff jumps, and of course, bike rides. So when you are in San Diego you should do as the San Diegans do and get moving. The issue with biking in particular is that San Diego is very hilly. Like… very hilly. Like… have you ever flown into the airport? Those planes drop fast over those hils.
But there is one ride that is nice and flat, along a completely separate and well-maintained bike path, that takes you past scenic views, around a quaint little resort town island, and is therefore one of the best bike rides in the city – and that is the bike ride around Coronado Island. We put together an itinerary for the day – it starts on the mainland with getting a coffee, as all days should, and then goes from there.
Happy biking. Be safe.
The Itinerary
1. Get A Bike
2. Grab A Coffee From Portal Coffee
2a. Grab A Coffee From Portside Coffee & Gelato
3. Cruise The Embarcadero
4. Take The Ferry To Coronado
5. Get Brunch At Cocina 35 Brunch
5a. Get Lunch At Village Pizzeria
6. Bike The Bayshore Bikeway
7. Putter Around The Hotel Del Coronado
8. Hit Coronado Beach
9. Bike Back To The Ferry
10. Watch Sunset At Ketch Grill & Taps
Get A Bike
This itinerary requires a bike. You have options:
1. You can ride your own bike to the ferry. This is self explanatory. Make sure to account for the uphill ride on the way home.
2. Rent a bike on the mainland from Wheel Fun Rentals located at Wyndham San Diego Bayside. They open at 9am and close at sunset year round. They are located on the Embarcadero near the Coronado ferry landing. Beach cruisers are $35 for the day. Other bikes are $40 for the day.
3. Rent a bike on Coronado from Hollands Bikes and Beyond located at the ferry landing. Prices are the same. Hours are 9:30am to sunset.
Grab A Coffee From Portal Coffee
Portal Coffee is a locally owned coffee shop in Little Italy, just across from Waterfront Park. They roast their own beans and take their coffee making seriously. Grab a coffee and a pastry for the road (if you can bike and hold a coffee at the same time) or enjoy their spacious patio out front.
Option: Grab A Coffee From Portside Coffee & Gelato
Coffee is not as good, but it is closer to the ferry stop if you rode your own bike and do not want to walk or ride with a coffee in hand.
Cruise The Embarcadero
The bay front Embarcadero is a lovely walk, especially in the morning when the bay breeze is blowing. The walkway is wide and pedestrian and bike friendly.
Take The Ferry To Coronado
You will want to get on the Coronado Ferry at Broadway Pier. Tickets are $9 one way and bikes are indeed allowed. The ferry leaves every hour on the hour.
Get Brunch At Cocina 35 Brunch
Once you arrive in Coronado, now that you are caffeinated, you should eat some food. If you arrive during brunch hours – get brunch. And the best place you can get brunch in Coronado is Cocina 35 Brunch, right near the ferry landing. Try the chilaquiles – they are locally famous.
Option: Get Lunch At Village Pizzeria Bayside
If you arrive in Coronado at lunch time, or just prefer pizza to brunch, grab a slice and a beer at Village Pizzeria Bayside – the best pizza in Coronado for our money.
Bike The Bayshore Bikeway
It is now time for the action part of the day. Once you are well caffeinated and well fed it is time to get pedaling. Take your bike along the Bayshore Bikeway – starting at the ferry landing and ending… well as far down the Silver Strand as you want to go. A good spot to stop would just be the Hotel Del Coronado or Coronado Beach, but if you are in the mood for exercise you can bike all the way south to Imperial Beach. Go at a leisurely pace and enjoy yourself. You can have a cold drink at the hotel or a cold dip in the ocean as your reward.
Note: you can get through Coronado straight through the neighborhood biking, but there is no dedicated bike lane or bike path on Orange Ave – the main thoroughfare through the town. Look at a map to make sure you stay on roads that expect bicycles. San Diego drivers are not particularly used to seeing bikers around.
Putter Around The Hotel Del Coronado
The Hotel Del Coronado is massive, beautiful, historic, and expensive. If you are looking for a bit more of a treat for your day get a day pass to their pool and maybe even the spa, but you do not have to be a guest to enjoy their restaurants, bars, and a stroll around their grounds.
Hit Coronado Beach
Coronado Beach is one of the best beaches in San Diego because it is huge with soft white sand and relatively calm ocean water. The only downsides are parking availability and pollution. Pollution is a pretty big downside. But you can still sit on the sand and soak up the sun, play some volleyball, or people watch.
Bike Back To The Ferry
Are you exhausted yet? You’ve been in the sun all day. You’ve biked a few miles. You may or may not have had one or nine beers. Well, it is time to start heading back. Get back in the saddle and bike back to the ferry landing. Stop along the way and get a Gatorade or a water.
Watch The Sunset (And Maybe Eat Dinner) At Ketch Grill & Taps
Located back on mainland San Diego is Ketch Grill & Taps, a two story bar and restaurant with beautiful views of San Diego Bay and Point Loma. We recommend going to their upstairs level and getting a seat at the bar. You can order from the full food menu and you are free to stand up and walk to the railing to get a better view of all the majesty to the west.
