Caution: Check with rangers or lifeguards that conditions are safe for your planned activities.
Silver Strand State Beach surf draws a good number of intermediate surfers out to enjoy the beach break. Swells from the south and west generate some of the best waves. Silver Strand is known for its wind. The best surfing is generally through the summer and into fall.
Silver Strand State Beach is known to have the best winds for kite surfing in the San Diego area. Kite surfers launch from the southern end of the beach, south of the southernmost parking lot and away from the majority of sun bathers and swimmers. There, kite surfers have a designated launch and land area that extends 132 yards along the beach.
Crown Cove Aquatic Center
The Coronado Surfing Academy offers private, semi-private, and group surfing lessons at Silver Strand Beach. They also have Surf Camps offered through the City of Coronado's recreation department.
Coronado Surfing Academy
Coronado Surfing Academy Half Day Surf Camp
is taught by first aid/CPR certified instructors. Week long sessions from 9 AM to noon.
City of Coronado Recreation Services
Rentals of surfboards with wetsuits
Delivered to Silver Strand State Beach
(619) 293-3883
Coronado Surfing Academy Rentals
Girls and boys ages 9 through 16 are invited to participate in Silver Strand State Beach's Junior Lifeguards program.
Silver Strand State Beach Junior Lifeguards
Junior Lifeguards develop of range of ocean related skills and information from experienced beach lifeguards. Participants learn about ocean and beach safety, first aid, CPR, and water rescue techniques while at the same time developing their physical fitness. Activities include body surfing and surfing.
All new participants in Junior Lifeguards must attend a tryout in order to participate. Tryout dates are offered at specified dates in June at Silver Strand State Beach at tower #9, on the bay side of the highway.
In the past Junior Lifeguards session ran Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 2 PM (except no class on the 4th of July.
2021 Session dates have not yet been announced.
Silver Strand State Beach offers a number of programs and activities throughout the year, including Nature Walks, Kayak Tours, Beach Clean-ups, and Junior Rangers.
Silver Strand Beach Activities
Confirm dates and times with Heather.Sanderson@parks.ca.gov
Join a state park docent on an hour-long nature walk. Participants will observe local animals and plants in the various habitats within the state beach. Binoculars and hand-lenses are used to assist in your discoveries. The walks begin every Sunday at 1:30 PM at the lifeguard headquarters on the ocean side of the highway. Just look for the tall lifeguard tower.
Guided kayak tours of San Diego Bay are offered on summer Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. The tours are available for anyone ages 5 and older. Those under 10 must ride in a tandem kayak with an adult. Anyone under 18 must have an accompanying adult on the outing. The activity begins at Loews Resort. Reservations must be made no later than 4 PM the day before. Call the marina at Loews Resort at (619) 424-4466. $35 per person.
Join a one-hour walking tour of the beach and then join in to help with beach clean-up. Children should have an accompanying adult. The activity is offered on summer Sundays from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Meet in the lobby of Loews Resort. There is a fee to park at the resort. Please sign up by contacting the concierge at Loews Resort. Call (619)424-4000 and ask for the concierge.
Campfire programs are provided at the fire ring next to the lifeguard headquarters on select evenings during the summer. Check the Silver Strand Beach Activities for the dates. Programs run from 7 PM to 8 PM and cover topics such as the California Grunion and the Western Snowy Plover. Programs also include singing, games, and storytelling.
Children ages 7 to 12 are invited to participate in the California State Parks Junior Rangers program. Activities include walks, games, presentations, investigations, art, and more. Children earn awards such as pins, patches, and posters as they move through the activities. Junior Rangers is offered on Saturdays from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Meet at the lifeguard headquarters (the tall tower) on the ocean side of the highway.
The Crown Cove Aquatic Center is a collaboration between state agencies and Southwestern College, which operates the center. The Aquatic Center offers a range of educational and recreational aquatic activities to area communities. Their primary goal is to promote safe boating education and instruction. They offer instruction in stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, and surfing.
Southwestern College credit-courses are offered to students in 9th grade and higher. Day camps are available year-round for ages 7 to 17. Fee-based classes are offered in many aquatic sports. They also have private lessons, group team building, and equipment rentals.
Southwestern College - Crown Cove Aquatic Center
Crown Cove Aquatic Center
November TBA, 2021
Coronado to Imperial Beach
Half marathon/10 miles and 5K
Silver Strand Half Marathon
Late May - early September, 2021
Spreckles Park, Sundays, 6 PM
Coronado Summer Concert Series
September TBA, 2021
Imperial Beach, 7 AM
Superfrog Triathlon
1201 First Street
Ferries across the bay to San Diego's Broadway Pier and Convention Center
Shops, art galleries, restaurants
Coronado Ferry landing
990 North Harbor Drive,
San Diego, CA
Dinner cruises, private charters, patriot jet boat rides, harbor tours, whale watching, water taxi
Flagship Cruises and Events
977 Orange Ave., Coronado
Bike rentals: cruisers, hybrids, tandems, surries
Hollands Bicycles
Shops, restaurants, hotels, parks, marinas, attractions
All along 34 miles of waterfront
Paths for walking, cycling, jogging
San Diego Bay
1100 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA
Weekdays 9 AM to 5 PM, weekends 10 AM to 5 PM
The Enchanted Island Gallery and The Hotel del Coronado & Tent City Gallery
Special exhibits
Coronado Museum of History & Art
2000 Mullinex in Tidelands Park
16,000 square feet of ramps, bowls, grinds and jumps.
Skateboards and in-line skates only, safety gear required
Coronado Skate Park
California State Parks and Recreation cautions that "large surf, cold water temperatures, backwash, sudden drop-offs,
pounding shorebreak, and dangerous rip currents can turn what seem like safe activities such as
playing near the surf line, wading, or climbing on rock outcroppings, deadly."
Learn more about ocean safety at
CA State Parks: Ocean Safety
Every effort is made to provide accurate and up to date information, but we cannot be responsible for errors or for changes that may have occurred since publication. Always confirm information with the service provider and check for any recent changes that may have been made. Also, check with lifeguards that conditions at the beach are safe for your planned activities.
The information provided on this website is done so without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.