Important Geographic & Community Clarification

The Coronado Cays is a Separate Waterfront Marina Community, Not Part of Coronado Village ("The Island")

While both share the municipal City of Coronado government and the 92118 zip code, the Coronado Cays is located 4 miles south along the Silver Strand (State Route 75). Built between 1969 and the 1980s as a Venice-inspired residential boating canal enclave, the Cays features private deep-water yacht docks, peaceful lagoons, and distinct seaside architecture. It is geographically separate from the historic, walkable downtown Coronado Village community located north around Orange Avenue and Hotel del Coronado.

SOUTHERN SILVER STRAND MARINA DISTRICT

The Ultimate Guide to Coronado Cays

Discover Venetian gondola rides through tranquil canals, luxury resort living at Loews Coronado Bay, fresh Greek dining at Calypso Cafe, and bayside pickleball courts.

Explore Cays Attractions Loews Resort Review Water Sports & Gondolas View on Interactive Map

4 Miles

South of Village

10 Cays

Canal Subdivisions

80 Slips

Loews Marina Basin

1969

Year Founded

VISITOR DIRECTORY

Public Attractions in Coronado Cays

Venetian Gondola Cruises

The Gondola Company

Top Romantic Experience

Authentic Venetian gondola cruises navigated through the serene inland canals and waterways of the Coronado Cays. Striped-shirt gondoliers steer traditional handcrafted gondolas while providing blankets, wine glasses, and ice buckets. Guests are encouraged to bring their favorite wine, champagne, or charcuterie.

Local Tip: Book a twilight cruise departing 30 minutes before sunset to watch the colors reflect off the tranquil canal waters. Calypso Cafe is right next door for appetizers before departure.

BYOB Wine & Champagne Complimentary Ice & Glasses Sunset & Nighttime Fleet Up to 6 Guests Per Boat

Location & Rates

From $125 for 2 passengers (50-minute cruise)

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Luxury Marina Resort

Loews Coronado Bay Resort

15-Acre Private Peninsula

Perched on its own private 15-acre peninsula surrounded by San Diego Bay and the Cays marina. Features 439 guest rooms, an 80-slip private marina with sailboat charters, Crown Landing waterfront restaurant, heated swimming pools, and a private pedestrian underpass connecting directly to Silver Strand State Beach.

Local Tip: Non-guests can dine at Crown Landing or sip cocktails on the outdoor patio overlooking luxury yachts. Complimentary beach golf carts shuttle guests through the tunnel to ocean surf.

80-Slip Marina Crown Landing Restaurant Silver Strand Beach Tunnel Sea Spa & Wellness

Location & Rates

Rooms from $299/night • Valet & Self Parking

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Waterfront Patio Bistro

Calypso Cafe

Local Hidden Gem

A laid-back waterfront cafe tucked into the Grand Caribe Isle marina basin next to the Gondola Company dock. Known for fresh Greek salads, gyros, fish tacos, hearty breakfast scrambles, and cold craft beers served on a sunny patio overlooking docked sailboats.

Local Tip: The outdoor dockside patio is pet-friendly and shielded from wind. Grab a breakfast burrito or gyro platter before cycling back along the Silver Strand Bikeway.

Dockside Outdoor Patio Greek & American Menu Craft Beer & Wine Dog-Friendly Seating

Location & Rates

Casual Dining ($12 to $24 per plate)

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Waterfront Community Park

Coronado Cays Park & Dog Run

Pickleball & Dog Run

A 14-acre expansive bayside park on the eastern shore of the Cays. Includes 8 dedicated pickleball courts, tennis courts, wide soccer fields, modern playground, scenic paved walking paths along the water, and a designated off-leash dog exercise zone.

Local Tip: Because this park faces east across South San Diego Bay toward the National Wildlife Refuge, it is exceptionally peaceful with birdwatching vantage points for herons, egrets, and osprey.

8 Pickleball Courts Off-Leash Dog Zone Bayside Walking Trail Free Public Parking

Location & Rates

Free Public Access & Parking

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Aquatic Center & State Beach

Crown Cove Aquatic Center & Silver Strand

Ocean & Bay Access

Located directly opposite the Coronado Cays at Silver Strand State Beach, Crown Cove Aquatic Center is operated in partnership with Southwestern College and California State Parks. Offers calm bayside stand-up paddleboard rentals, kayak clinics, sailing classes, and direct underground access to Pacific ocean surf.

Local Tip: The bayside beach here is completely protected from breaking waves, making it one of the premier locations in San Diego County for first-time paddleboarders and young kids.

SUP & Kayak Rentals Sailing Instruction Lifeguard Tower Ocean Beach Tunnel Access

Location & Rates

Equipment Rentals & Lessons ($15 to $35)

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Private Boating Club

Coronado Cays Yacht Club (CCYC)

Est. 1972

Founded in 1972, CCYC serves as the nautical social center for Cays residents and visiting yachtsmen from reciprocal yacht clubs worldwide. Hosts regular regattas, junior sailing fleets, and clubhouse dining overlooking the marina slips.

Local Tip: Members of recognized yacht clubs across the United States can access reciprocal dockage, guest slips, and the dining room with advance harbormaster notice.

Guest Slip Dockage Regatta Fleet Racing Bayside Dining Room Junior Sailing Academy

Location & Rates

Private Membership (Reciprocal Privileges)

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TRANSIT & ROUTING

How to Get to Coronado Cays from Coronado Village

Whether you choose to drive, cycle the scenic bay bikeway, or take public transit, traveling the 4 miles along Highway 75 provides panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean on the west and San Diego Bay on the east.

By Car (8 Minutes)

Take Orange Avenue south past the Hotel del Coronado. Continue onto State Route 75 (Silver Strand). Turn left onto Coronado Bay Road for Loews, or Grand Caribe Causeway for the marina and Gondola Company. Free parking is available at Coronado Cays Park.

By Bicycle (20-25 Minutes)

Hop onto the paved Bayshore Bikeway from Glorietta Bay. The dedicated, completely flat path runs safely separated from highway traffic along the scenic water's edge, offering cooling ocean breezes and coastal bird sanctuaries.

By MTS Bus 901

San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Bus Route 901 runs regularly down Highway 75, connecting Orange Avenue in the Village directly with stops at the Coronado Cays and Silver Strand State Beach. Standard fare is $2.50.

COMMUNITY FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cays

Is Coronado Cays part of Coronado Island?

The Coronado Cays is within the municipal boundaries of the City of Coronado and shares the 92118 zip code, but it is physically separate from the historic downtown Coronado Village ('the Island'). The Cays is located approximately 4 miles south along the Silver Strand (Highway 75) isthmus.

Can the public visit the Coronado Cays?

Yes. While the residential waterways and homes are private, key public attractions are open to all visitors. These include The Gondola Company cruises, Loews Coronado Bay Resort and its restaurants, Calypso Cafe, and the 14-acre Coronado Cays Park with pickleball courts and an off-leash dog area.

How do you travel between Coronado Village and Coronado Cays?

You can drive down Highway 75 (about 8 minutes), ride a bicycle along the flat, scenic Bayshore Bikeway path (approximately 20 minutes), or take the MTS Bus Route 901 which connects Coronado Village directly with the Cays.

What makes the residential design of Coronado Cays unique?

Modeled after Venice, Italy, the community was developed starting in 1969 across distinct Caribbean-themed cays (such as Antigua, Montego, Trinidad, and Grand Caribe). Most homes feature private deep-water boat docks directly in their backyard, allowing owners to moor yachts and sailboats outside their living rooms.

Can I launch a kayak or stand-up paddleboard in Coronado Cays?

Yes. The public can launch kayaks and paddleboards from the sandy shoreline at Grand Caribe Isle next to Calypso Cafe, or from the protected bayside cove at Crown Cove Aquatic Center across Highway 75. The Cays canals are sheltered from open ocean swells and operate under a strict 5 mph no-wake policy.

Explore More of Coronado Island

Connect your Cays excursion with the scenic Bayshore Bikeway, Silver Strand State Beach, or boat rentals.

Bayshore Bikeway Trail Silver Strand State Beach Boating & Marinas Guide Cays Pickleball Courts