Getting around Coronado and San Diego without a car
Yes — you can get around Coronado and nearby San Diego without a car from Loews Coronado Bay Resort. The resort’s mandatory daily resort fee includes complimentary shuttles to Downtown Coronado Village and Silver Strand State Beach; for everything else use the marina services, rideshares/taxis, or public transit and plan a car for longer San Diego day trips.
In this guide
Resort shuttles and timing
Loews Coronado Bay Resort includes shuttle service to Downtown Coronado Village and to Silver Strand State Beach as part of the mandatory daily resort fee. Trip reports indicate the resort shuttle to Coronado Village runs about twice an hour (roughly every 30 minutes).
Shuttles are the easiest no-car option for reaching the Ferry Landing / Hotel del Coronado area and the main Coronado beach access. For precise departure points and current timetables, ask the front desk or concierge when you arrive.
- Shuttle destinations: Downtown Coronado Village (near Hotel del Coronado) and Silver Strand State Beach
- Reported frequency to Coronado Village: about every 30 minutes
- Shuttle service is included in the daily resort fee
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Shuttle — Downtown Coronado Village | Included with resort fee; reported ~every 30 minutes |
| Shuttle — Silver Strand State Beach | Included with resort fee; ask front desk for schedule |
Getting to and from the airport without a car
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the nearest airport. The resort does not offer a complimentary airport shuttle.
Options without a personal car include taxi, rideshare (Uber/Lyft), or arranging a private transfer. Estimated travel times reported range from about 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic; check the airport and local traffic updates for current drives.
- No hotel airport shuttle — plan a taxi, rideshare, or private transfer
- Typical travel time reported from SAN: roughly 25–35 minutes (varies with traffic)
- Confirm pickup/drop-off locations at the resort’s front drive with the concierge
| Option | When to use |
|---|---|
| Rideshare / taxi | Flexible door-to-door timing for small groups or solo travelers |
| Private transfer | Recommended for larger groups or pre-booked arrivals |
On-site marina, water taxis and gondolas
Loews Coronado Bay Resort has an on-site private marina with an 80-slip marina and offers water-sports rentals and excursions. From the marina you can book local water activities such as kayak and paddleboard rentals, jet skis, and small boat outings.
Gondola rides through the Coronado Cays canals depart from the marina; schedules and pricing are set by the operator rather than the hotel, so check with the concierge for reservations and current timings.
- Marina services include kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis and small-boat rentals (arrange via concierge)
- Gondola cruises and other private boat excursions run from the marina; inquire at concierge for operator details and bookings
- Marina is useful for short water-based trips and tours that avoid on-road transport
| Marina service | How to arrange |
|---|---|
| Kayak / paddleboard rentals | Ask resort concierge; included in activity listings |
| Gondola cruises | Book through the Gondola Company via concierge |
| Jet ski / boat rentals | Reserve with on-site marina vendor or concierge |
Walking, biking and local short trips
The resort sits on a private 15-acre peninsula with waterfront access and is a short walk to San Diego Bay and Silver Strand State Beach. Silver Strand State Beach is reported as a roughly 10–15 minute walk (or a few minutes by shuttle).
Coronado Village is accessible by shuttle; many guests also rent bikes to explore the flatter parts of Coronado and the beachfront promenades. The hotel concierge can advise on nearby bike rental partners and safe routes.
- Walk to the nearby bay and resort waterfront areas from the property
- Silver Strand State Beach: reported 10–15 minute walk (or short shuttle ride)
- Bicycle rentals are a common way to explore Coronado’s flat streets and beachfront (check with concierge for vendors and helmet rules)
| Trip | Typical time / note |
|---|---|
| Walk to San Diego Bay from resort | A few minutes to the bay edge |
| Walk to Silver Strand State Beach | Reported ~10–15 minutes |
| Bike to Downtown Coronado / Ferry Landing | Depends on route; shuttle is an alternative |
Public transit, rideshares and ferries
Public transit can connect you to San Diego, but routes and transfers vary; for specific bus or trolley connections consult San Diego MTS or a transit app. Many guests use rideshare services or taxis for flexible point-to-point travel off-island.
If you plan to visit downtown San Diego or major attractions (Zoo, Balboa Park, USS Midway), rideshare or a rental car is commonly used — some guides note a car is recommended for exploring broader San Diego beyond Coronado.
- Use rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or taxi for on-demand trips to San Diego
- Check San Diego MTS for bus/trolley routes and schedules to the mainland
- For full-day trips to attractions across San Diego, a car is usually more convenient
| Destination | Typical transport option |
|---|---|
| Downtown San Diego / USS Midway / Gaslamp | Rideshare, taxi, or private transfer |
| Balboa Park / San Diego Zoo | Rideshare or private transfer (car recommended for multi-stop day trips) |
| Ferry to San Diego (from Ferry Landing) | Shuttle or rideshare to Ferry Landing, then walk onto ferry |
Parking, valet and when you might want a car
Loews Coronado Bay Resort offers on-site self-parking and valet parking for a nightly surcharge; both include in/out privileges. Height restrictions and separate fees for larger vehicles can apply — the front desk can confirm current rates and any processing fees.
A car is useful if you expect to do several day trips across San Diego (Balboa Park, SeaWorld, La Jolla) or if you prefer driving to the Hotel del Coronado and other nearby beaches on your schedule. For short local outings, shuttles, rideshares, bikes and the marina cover most needs.
- Self-parking and valet available on-site (surcharges apply; check front desk for current pricing)
- In/out privileges are offered for both self-parking and valet
- Consider a rental car for multiple mainland day trips; otherwise use shuttle/rideshare for point-to-point travel
| Parking option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Self-parking | On-site, nightly surcharge, in/out privileges |
| Valet parking | On-site, nightly surcharge, in/out privileges |
