The Coronado Ferry is a fun way especially for kids to travel to the island of Coronado. After all, most kids love transportation and maybe you can't ride on a ferry in your hometown.
A passenger ferry runs regularly across San Diego Bay between Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego and the Coronado Ferry Landing in Coronado. A one-way trip takes about ten minutes and costs $3.50 per person.
As you can see the ferry is very comfortable with roomy benches (even enough room for my pregnant belly). Look at the biker sitting behind us...bikes are allowed on the boat if your family wants to go biking in Coronado.
From Downtown, the ferry departs beginning at 9:00 a.m. and then every hour until 9:00 p.m.
From Coronado, the ferry departs beginning at 9:30 a.m. and then every hour on the half hour until 9:30 p.m.
If you want to enjoy the boat ride, but don't want to pay for a round trip or maybe the departure schedule doesn't work with yours, here's a suggestion: Have the kids ride the ferry with one parent, while the other parent takes the car and meets them on the other side.
Click here for more information about the Coronado Ferry.
The Coronado Bridge
Of course, you don't have to take the Coronado Ferry to get to the island. You can drive across the Coronado Bridge absolutely free. There used to be a $1 toll but not since 2002. You'll pass right through those empty toll booths as you reach the island.
The Coronado Bridge is one of the prettiest in Southern California, offering tremendous views of downtown San Diego and picture perfect sailboats in the San Diego Bay.
Leaving Coronado, the bridge curves 80 degrees toward San Diego and the span reaches a maximum height of 200 feet, allowing the U.S. Navy ships to pass underneath it.
Watch this video to take a ride on the Coronado Bridge at night. Come and see it for yourself!
As you can see the ferry is very comfortable with roomy benches (even enough room for my pregnant belly). Look at the biker sitting behind us...bikes are allowed on the boat if your family wants to go biking in Coronado.
If you want to enjoy the boat ride, but don't want to pay for a round trip or maybe the departure schedule doesn't work with yours, here's a suggestion: Have the kids ride the ferry with one parent, while the other parent takes the car and meets them on the other side.
