Coronado/maritime museum?

Question

We are trying to make a plan for tomorrow (4/27) and we were wanting a beach where we can look for shells, kids can play in the sand/wade in the water. However, we also would like the maritime museum. Would Coronado beach be a good choice or another one near the maritime museum? I know parking can be ugly on the weekends but we’re ok getting there early. Just not sure how early we should aim for? Also, we maybe could give up maritime if you think Torrey pines would be better… we are staying in La Jolla. Just trying to find something beachy/pretty/naturey and if we can match it with maritime that would be great but if there’s another suggestion that would be ok too. We did La Jolla area today. Thank you!

Answer

For your plan to combine a beach day with a visit to the Maritime Museum, Coronado Beach is an excellent choice. It is wide, sandy, and family-friendly, making it ideal for kids to play and wade in the water. Its gentle slope and soft sand are perfect for shell-collecting as well.

The Maritime Museum is located in downtown San Diego at the Embarcadero, so it is roughly a 15–20 minute drive from Coronado (including the bridge or ferry). This makes it feasible to do both in the same day if you plan your timing carefully.

Parking considerations:

Coronado Beach can get busy, especially on weekends and holidays. Arriving early—around 8:00–8:30 am—will give you the best chance of securing convenient parking near the beach.
Public parking is available near the Hotel del Coronado and along Ocean Boulevard, but spaces fill quickly. Consider street parking slightly further away if early spots are taken.
Maritime Museum parking is easier downtown, but weekday rates apply. Arriving before 11:00 am generally ensures easier access.

Alternative options:

Sunset Cliffs or Cabrillo National Monument: Offers a combination of nature, tide pools, and scenic views, but less suitable for wading and shell-collecting compared to Coronado.
Torrey Pines State Beach: Beautiful and scenic, with trails above the cliffs. Great for nature and short walks, but less convenient for visiting the Maritime Museum afterward and can be more rugged for small kids.
Mission Beach or Pacific Beach: Slightly closer to downtown and the museum than Coronado. Good for kids, but sand quality and waves can be stronger than Coronado’s gentle beach.

Suggested plan:

Arrive at Coronado Beach early morning (8–8:30 am) to enjoy a couple of hours on the sand and water.
Late morning, drive back to downtown San Diego for the Maritime Museum visit (midday to early afternoon).
Optional lunch nearby in the Gaslamp or Seaport area, then enjoy a short afternoon stroll along the Embarcadero.

In summary, Coronado Beach is your best option for a family-friendly beach with easy access to wading, sand play, and shells, and it pairs well with a Maritime Museum visit. Torrey Pines is more scenic and nature-focused, but less convenient and not as suitable for small kids to play in the sand.

Coronado/maritime museum?

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