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Fifteen minutes across the bay, and the best cheap view in the city.
Last updated
The Coronado ferry runs between downtown San Diego and Coronado with a crossing of about 15 minutes: Broadway Pier departs hourly on the hour and the Convention Center route runs every 30 minutes. Flagship's canonical routes page lists $9 per person each way (ages 4 and up, under 4 free), bikes ride for a small extra fee, and there is no car deck — this is a passenger boat. Downtown boarding is at the Broadway Pier and the Convention Center landing; Coronado boarding is at the Ferry Landing Marketplace on First Street and, on some runs, the Coronado Ferry Landing near the Hotel del side. From the Coronado landing it's a flat 20-minute walk or short bike ride to Orange Avenue and the beach. On summer weekends the ferry beats the bridge outright, because Coronado parking is the real bottleneck, not the drive.
| Option | Time | Cost for two adults, round trip | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry from Broadway Pier | ~15 min each way | $36 | The view, and skipping the Coronado parking hunt |
| Ferry from the Convention Center | ~15 min, departures every 30 min | $36 | Gaslamp, Petco Park and convention stays |
| Drive over the bridge | 10-15 min, plus a parking hunt | Free bridge, then paid or scarce parking | Carrying beach gear or small kids' equipment |
| Rideshare | 15-25 min each way | $36-$70 | Late evenings after the last boat |
| Bike plus ferry | 15 min plus a small bike surcharge | Under $45 with a rental | A full day on the Silver Strand path |
| MTS bus 901 | 30-40 min each way | $10 with fare capping | Budget trips and rainy days |
Two downtown landings, one Coronado landing, and a 15-minute crossing between them. The walk from the Coronado dock to Orange Avenue is flat the whole way.
Main downtown landing at the foot of Broadway, minutes from Santa Fe Depot and the USS Midway.
South downtown landing, useful for Gaslamp, Petco Park and convention stays.
Marketplace restaurants, bike rentals, Tuesday farmers market and the skyline view back across the bay.
About a flat 20-minute walk or 8-minute bike ride south from the landing.
Departure points are fixed; times are seasonal. Check Flagship's current departure board before your last boat home.
Rates and availability change daily, so we link the guide rather than quote a price. Each page compares walkable, short-drive and budget options with parking and resort fees called out.
Broadway Pier sits at the foot of Broadway on the Embarcadero, a short walk from the Santa Fe Depot, the trolley and the USS Midway, and its boats leave hourly on the hour. The Convention Center landing serves the south end of downtown and runs every 30 minutes.
Local tip: Buy at the booth or online before boarding — Flagship's own route sub-pages still quote an older, lower fare than its main routes page, so do not count on a specific price at the gangway.
Bikes board for a small surcharge and turn Coronado into an easy afternoon — the Silver Strand bike path runs south from the landing along the bay.
The Ferry Landing Marketplace has restaurants, a farmers market on Tuesdays and rental bikes right at the dock, with the skyline view back across the bay.
About 20 flat minutes from the landing takes you into Coronado's main street, and another ten reaches the Hotel del and the beach.
Evening service ends earlier than people expect, particularly midweek and in winter. Check the final departure before you settle in for a sunset dinner.
Local tip: Missing the last ferry means a $25-35 rideshare over the bridge.
The crossing is short enough that people treat it as transport and long enough that it works as a sightseeing cruise for the price of a coffee. Sit on the open upper deck if the boat has one: you pass the Star of India and the Midway on the way out, the Coronado Bridge arcs overhead to the south, and the downtown skyline lines up behind you for the photo everyone takes on the way back.
Heading to Coronado, sit on the port (left) side for bridge and Navy pier views. Coming back at golden hour, the starboard side faces the skyline as the buildings light up.
The bay generates its own wind and the upper deck is genuinely cold after sunset, even in August. A layer you'd skip walking downtown is the difference between enjoying the ride and hiding inside.
Local tip: May Gray and June Gloom mornings can hide the skyline entirely — afternoon crossings are clearer.
Boarding is a short ramp, strollers roll straight on, and 15 minutes is well within the attention span of a restless toddler. The Ferry Landing has grass, a small beach and ice cream within a hundred feet of the dock.
Leashed dogs are generally welcome on the open deck, and surfboards, beach chairs and coolers ride without drama. It is a far friendlier way to reach Coronado Beach than a bridge crossing followed by a parking hunt.
Rent at the Ferry Landing, ride the protected bayside path south toward Imperial Beach, and turn around whenever you like. It is flat the entire way, and the return leg has the skyline in front of you.
Twenty flat minutes on foot, or eight by bike, puts you on the wide sand in front of the Hotel del Coronado. Bring the towel with you — the landing has no rentals for beach gear.
The Ferry Landing hosts a Tuesday afternoon market. Ride over from downtown, graze your way through it, and be back across the bay for dinner.
Eat on Orange Avenue or at the landing, then catch a boat well before the final run. Evening service ends earlier than visitors expect, especially midweek in winter.
Local tip: Set a phone alarm for 20 minutes before the last departure.
Operators change fares and timetables on their own schedule. Every number below is checked against the operator's own page on the date shown — check the source link before you travel.
One-way fare: $9 per person each way (ages 4 and up; under 4 ride free)
Verified Sep 19, 2026 against Flagship Cruises & Events — ferry routes & schedules — view the source
Note: Flagship Broadway Pier route page still lists $8 per person each way (seen 2026-09-19), so pay at the booth or online rather than assuming one price.
Departures and crossing time: Broadway Pier departs hourly on the hour; the Convention Center route departs every 30 minutes. The crossing takes about 15 minutes.
Verified Sep 19, 2026 against Flagship Cruises & Events — ferry routes & schedules — view the source
Flagship's routes page lists $9 per person each way for ages 4 and up, with under-4s free and a small extra fee for a bicycle. Some of Flagship's own sub-pages still show a lower legacy price, so buy at the booth or online rather than budgeting on a number you read elsewhere.
About 15 minutes across the bay. Broadway Pier boats leave hourly on the hour and the Convention Center route runs every 30 minutes.
No. It is a passenger and bicycle ferry only. To bring a car you drive the Coronado Bridge.
On summer weekends, yes — Coronado parking near the beach and Orange Avenue is the hard part, and the ferry skips it entirely.
Leashed dogs are generally welcome on the open deck. Bring water in summer, since the deck gets hot and there is no shade on some boats.
It is about a 20-minute flat walk or an eight-minute bike ride to Orange Avenue and the Hotel del Coronado, with the main beach just beyond.
No. It is walk-on boarding, though summer weekend afternoon runs can fill, so arrive 10-15 minutes before departure if you have a group.
Evening service ends earlier than most visitors expect, and it varies by day and season. Check the operator's posted schedule at the dock before committing to a sunset dinner.
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Published by the Sandi Spots Editorial team at Sleep Coast LLC. Guides combine local perspective and source research. Check the individual guide for firsthand observations and follow official links to confirm current details.