Summary
Best Beaches in San Diego
The beach at Coronado is often regarded as one of the best beaches in San Diego. This reputation is impressive, especially considering that Coronado Beach may not excel in surfing or boardwalk activities.
Coronado Beach Overview
Nevertheless, it compensates for this with stunning natural beauty, showcasing a light sand beach that extends both wide and long. Additionally, its close proximity to some of the most upscale neighborhoods in San Diego, along with the iconic Hotel Del Coronado, lends it an exclusive ambiance—yet anyone is welcome to visit.
Exploring Coronado Sand Dunes
Traveling across the San Diego-Coronado Bridge offers a charming journey to the beautiful city, highlighted by the majestic Hotel Del Coronado and its surrounding beach. Moreover, the area is home to unique sand dunes known as the Coronado Sand Dunes.
These remarkable dunes are situated just north of the Hotel Del Coronado, in front of the central beach area. Rising high and adorned with ice plant (also called pickleweed), they create a maze-like barrier to the expansive sandy beach. It’s quite rare to find sand dunes gracing San Diego’s beaches, making these dunes an exceptional sight worth exploring while strolling along the coastline.
The Story Behind the Dunes
Interestingly, back in the 1980s, a city maintenance worker tasked with cleaning the beach sand attempted to remove large amounts of seaweed washed ashore after a storm. Lacking an appropriate disposal site, he began covering the seaweed with sand, which inadvertently resulted in the formation of the dunes.
In a delightful twist, this individual decided to employ his creativity by shaping the dunes to spell out the word “Coronado.” Consequently, these sand dunes are not only man-made but also carry a hidden message.
While this secret message is not easily visible from ground level due to the dunes’ height, it becomes unmistakably clear from an aerial view, showcasing an extraordinary sand sculpture.
