San Diego Beach Guide: Silver Strand State Beach

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Going to state beaches is extremely convenient.  If you are willing to pay for parking, you can generally park right by the sand.  This is our guide to Silver Strand State Beach, one of the most family friendly beaches.

• Location: 5000 CA-75, Coronado, CA 92118
• Beach Type: Wide open, fairly secluded family beach
• Access: Straight to beach from parking lot
• Parking: Nearly 1,000 parking spaces, $10-12.
• Facilities: Bathrooms, picnic tables, snack bar
• Good For: A traditional family beach day, surfing,
• Not Good For: People looking for an active beach with lots of bars/restaurants

The 7-mile narrow strand runs about 7-miles from Imperial beach to Coronado.  Silver Strand State Beach is located about halfway along the strand and has over 2 miles of beach.  Parking costs $10 weekdays and $12 on weekends.  Parking is located right by the beach off of Highway 75.

The strand is a narrow spit with the beach on one side and San Diego Bay on the other side.  Three pedestrian tunnels allow visitors to Silver Strand State Beach to cross under Highway 75 to the bay side.  Note in the past we have found free parking on Coronado Cays Blvd and lugged our stuff under the tunnel.  Now we invest in the annual California State Park pass.

Silver Strand State Beach is extremely popular with RVs.  There are plenty of RV spaces and camping is allowed (only in RVs, not tents).  It is also a great place for biking riding.  A 10-mile long bike path goes right along the bay side.  You can also swim in the bay, but personally I have done so.  The water is calmer, but overall the surf at Silver Strand State Beach is usually fairly mild.  It is considered a good place to learn to surf.

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Amenities are fairly limited.  There are of course, plenty of lifeguards, and showers and rest rooms.  There is also a small snack bar.  As a state park there are quite a few ranger programs.  Just make sure to check the official web site.  This includes nature walks and kayak tours of San Diego Bay.  In conjunction with Southwestern College in Chula Vista, the Crown Cove Aquatic Center is located on the bay side of the park.

Overall Silver Strand State Beach is one of the best beaches in San Diego.  This is especially true if you have an RV.  However, with a fairly secluded location with a great view of Mexico, Pt. Loma and downtown San Diego this beach just feels special.  Being able to go on the bay side makes this a very unique spot.

This is part of our guide to the beaches along the San Diego coast. Our previous beach overview was Imperial Beach at the south end of the strand.  Next up is right up the ropad in the heart of Coronado.

For our full guide to San Diego Beaches go here.

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For lodging suggestions check out our guide to Where to Stay Coronado and South Bay.

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