The sweet town of Coronado is found in southern San Diego and is an idyllic spot to go for a day trip for both locals and tourists. The town features everything you could want in a getaway, from beaches to bars, and is one of the most charming small towns in Southern California.

Coronado is a beautiful spot to go for a fun small-town feel in the big city of San Diego. It really does have its own look and special atmosphere.

Shannon Tompkins/Flickr

To get to Coronado Island, you’ll take the famous Coronado Bridge, which is a classic part of the San Diego skyline.

Mattia Panciroli/Flickr

The island itself is only about a mile long, so it’s certainly earned its title as a small town, even though it has a population of over 20,000 lucky residents who get to call this pretty island home.

Vanessa Smetkowski/Flickr

Whether you live here or are just visiting for the day, you’ll love the shopping streets. Full of high-end stores, unique boutiques, and cozy and elegant restaurants, the main streets are full of charm.

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Of course, you can’t mention Coronado Island without taking about the famous Hotel del Coronado, a gorgeous resort with some haunted legends. It’s an incredible place for a dinner, a drink, or a full day on the sand.

Dan Thibodeaux/Flickr

Once you see the beach on this beautiful island, you won’t want to leave anytime soon. The white sand and deep blue water will captivate you and make you want to stay until the sun sets.

Rob Bertholf/Flickr

The town of Coronado was named for the island it sits on, and there is good reason to honor the island this way. There aren’t too many small towns that are right on the coast of the state, but this one really stands out. If you’re looking for charming small towns in Southern California, you’ve come to the right place. 

Shannon Tompkins/Flickr

Mattia Panciroli/Flickr

Vanessa Smetkowski/Flickr

Paul Sableman/Flickr

Dan Thibodeaux/Flickr

Rob Bertholf/Flickr

Don’t forget to check out our previous article to learn about the longest bridge in SoCal right here in Coronado!

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Address: Coronado Island, Coronado, CA 92118, USA