Relocation guide CORONADO
Where Cool Pacific Breezes Blow...
Welcome to Coronado, one of the most desirable beachfront cities in the world! Measuring 13.5 square miles and located just minutes from downtown San Diego, this enchanted “island” combines a unique set of factors to make it one of the most special places to call home. Boasting a year-round average temperature of 71 degrees, awardwinning white sand beaches, lush parks, highly ranked schools, top-of-the-line municipal services, and plentiful outdoor and recreational activities, it is no wonder why the city of Coronado is referred to as the “Crown Isle”. As you drive across the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge and take in the panoramic view of the island, you will understand why many visitors decide to make Coronado their home.
Known as an island, Coronado is actually a tombolo connected to the mainland via a stretch of land named the Silver Strand. It is a welcoming beach haven with laid-back California charm linked to the major metropolitan downtown area of San Diego by the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge. Free shuttle service circles the island, but it is small enough to walk or bike anywhere. Strolling along its tree-lined streets, you will notice stately mansions beside quaint California bungalows or Spanish haciendas. Summertime Concerts In The Park, small town parades that bring the community together for the fourth of July and Christmas along with merchant open houses along Orange Avenue for
Halloween and the various celebrations add to the small-town charm.
From the world-famous and National Heritage site the Hotel del Coronado, to many other award-winning resorts and comfortable smaller hotels, visitors can relax and enjoy all that Coronado has to offer. Since the grand opening of the Hotel del Coronado in 1888, people from far and wide have made Coronado their vacation destination of choice. Center Beach has been voted among the top ten beaches in the United States year after year and is an ideal place to swim, boogie board, bodysurf, build sandcastles, and observe some of the local fauna in the tidepools. Easily recognized from the air with its sand dunes spelling “Coronado,” Center Beach stretches for just over half a mile and is bordered by the Naval Air Station to the north and the Hotel del Coronado to the south. Close by, the main drag of Orange Avenue is home to an assortment of fine dining and casual eateries, and an assortment of boutique shops that you will love!
This Relocation Guide is designed to answer questions and provide local insight as you plan your move to Coronado. If you have any questions as you explore this handbook, or any part of Coronado, please don’t hesitate to reach out! We are happy to make recommendations for dining, hotel stays, recreational activities, and of course, real estate! Our contact information is listed below and at the front and back of this guide. We look forward to meeting you soon!
who is the Nelson Riddle
Team?
For nearly 30 years, the members of the Nelson Riddle Team have been providing exceptional real estate services to clients throughout San Diego County. Fueled by their collective passion for real estate, Jim, Debbie and Kilee bring an inextinguishable vigor to helping people achieve the dream of real estate investment and/or homeownership. The Nelson Riddle Team is always at the forefront of the Coronado and San Diego real estate markets, integrating distinctive marketing strategies with stellar client service. The Nelson Riddle Team is proud and humble to have a reputation as a Top Producing Team in San Diego.
$462+ MILLION
Jim Nelson
Fueled by his passion for investment real estate and a desire to help people obtain the dream of home ownership, Jim earned his license in 2008. In 2010 he teamed up with Debbie Riddle and, since then, he has successfully leveraged his degree in psychology from UC Santa Barbara and his customer service credentials to help every client achieve their real property goals. Held in high regard in the community and among his peers, Jim drives the Nelson Riddle Team and is excited to meet you and help you buy or sell today.
Kilee Waller
Kilee Waller, our Project Director, came highly recommended to the Nelson Riddle Team in the early part of 2019. Kilee has helped clients buy and sell homes since 2005 and has over 1,500-plus transactions under her belt as an Office Coordinator and Transaction Manager. With real estate in her blood, Kilee has been around the industry for many years, working in nearly every aspect of the business from property management, commercial, mortgage and accounting, to office administration. Kilee’s high energy, bright smile, and quirky sense of humor make her a wonderful person to work with.
Delmira Sumner
Delmira is a proud long-term resident of the beautiful San Diego and an alumnus of the University of San Diego. Her academic journey led her to pursue majors in Communications and Business Administration, equipping her with the skills needed to excel in the business-to-business sales industry. While her professional background lies in sales, her true passion lies in real estate. With the addition of Delmira, The Nelson Riddle team represents a growing force to be reckoned with in the Coronado and San Diego real estate markets.
Debbie Riddle
Licensed since 1977, Debbie Riddle is a second generation REALTOR® who found her passion for serving people by working for her father, Lee Mather, at his real estate brokerage from the young age of 14. Debbie has served as Director and President at the California Association of REALTORS® and President of her local association in 1998 & 2002. After over 25 years, representing hundreds of buyers and sellers, Debbie finds joy in being a valued resource working with her clients and building lasting relationships.
Fevin Reyes
Fevin was born and raised in Chicago from immigrant parents from the Philippines. At 43, he and his wife Myleen moved their family to Coronado. Fevin was a top 1% producer in Chicago Association of Realtors for over 15 years, former owner of the Red Era Realty companies, former co-owner of RE/MAX Vision 212, master faculty at Keller Williams, Dave Ramsey Endorsed Local Provider of real estate for over 8 years and Coronado Real Estate Association Board member for 3 years. High ethics, working by referral, personal growth and having fun makes joining the Nelson Riddle Team a thing of beauty!
Amanda Russell
With a focus on the Coronado market, Amanda is poised to leverage her years of experience in understanding clients’ needs, cultivating relationships, and delivering exceptional results at a high level to help anyone she knows realize their dream of buying or selling a home in Coronado or San Diego. She is commited to serve her community and deliver exceptional results. Amanda Russell is set to redefine the standard of service in the Coronado and San Diego real estate markets.
living here
calling Coronado home
Coronado offers a unique confluence of small-town vibes nestled in the heart of a big city just across the bay. This combination of a slower paced life where people know their neighbors and the hustle and bustle of San Diego, offers a perfect blend of a village-like atmosphere of yesteryear and the demands of everyday life in the twenty-first century.
1. Appreciate all that Coronado offers. Eat here, play here, experience all that Coronado offers: take in a show at Lamb’s Players Theatre, enjoy a picnic in the park, attend the hometown fourth of July and Christmas parades, cheer on your favorite Islander sports teams, read the local newspaper or other magazines, ice skate at the Hotel del Coronado — the list of things to do never ends!
2. Shop local.
Orange Avenue is home to Coronado’s downtown and runs from the Hotel del Coronado to 1st Street. Experience world-class dining, quaint coffee shops and boutique stores all lining a charming village-like promenade with center islands that feature trees and gardens. 1st Street and the Ferry Landing also offer an assortment of restaurants and locally owned grocery stores.
3. Participate!
Coronado residents are active in a number of philanthropic and charitable organizations. Support a cause you are passionate about by donating your time and financial support. Accessible government leaders are community members just like you and take pride in their role in running Coronado. As a small town, your voice can make a difference!
4. Be a good host.
Coronado is a welcoming community and tourist destination. Many people visit Coronado year after year, and some even make the decision to call it home! You can make a visitor’s day by offering your assistance or guidance on all that Coronado can offer during their stay.
5. Take it easy.
Life in a small town runs at a slower pace. As you drive across the bridge and onto the island, you can relax knowing you are one of the lucky people to call Coronado home! Be patient with traffic during the summer season and expect more pedestrians and bicyclists.
the History of coronado
Named for the Coronado Islands just off the coastline in San Diego and discovered by Spanish navigator Vizcaino in 1602, Coronado was sold in 1885 to Elisha Babcock Jr. and Hampton L. Storey. Babcock and Storey would row their 2-man boat across to the barren peninsula and hunt for jack rabbits. They believed that a luxury beach hotel would be an ideal
place for Easterners to vacation when seeking a more temperate climate. With the railroad scheduled for completion in San Diego, the timing was perfect. The Hotel Del Coronado opened its doors in 1885 and was soon sold to John D. Spreckels. A few short years later in 1891, Benjamin Harris was the first President of the United States to stay at the hotel. Throughout the years, the hotel
has been host to many a celebrity and twelve other United States Presidents. Today, the site is a designated National Historical Landmark. Aside from the iconic Hotel del Coronado, aviation and maritime activities have long been a part of the fabric of Coronado’s history. Glenn Curtis opened an aviation camp in 1911 where Naval Air Station, North Island, currently resides. The
Spreckels family sold North Island during World War I for a paltry $5 million. That is only $74 million (adjusted for inflation) in the year 2020! The Navy is the top employer in Coronado and surrounding San Diego and seeing our service men and women walk around town is a daily occurrence. Coronado is also home to west coast Navy Seal operations and their famous school, “BUDS.”
the Demographics
Supported by its residential population, tourism, and surrounding military bases, Coronado’s economy is not just tourist based. While tourism from both destination travelers and neighboring San Diego communities is a large contributor to the tax-base, commercial and residential property taxes are still the largest revenue source for the city.
Coronado Weather
It is fabled that when John D. Spreckels anchored in Glorietta Bay, his comment was, “the weather is benign.” And that has remained true to this day. Average daytime temperature is 70 degrees and annual precipitation averages only 9.41 inches. September is the warmest month in Coronado and March sees the highest amount of rainfall.
Coronado Neighborhoods
Village
Located at the base of the CoronadoSan Diego Bay Bridge is the Village of Coronado. Spanning just twelve blocks east to west and eighteen blocks north to south, the Village is home to some of San Diego and California’s most prestigious real estate, as well as a myriad of rental property. Orange Avenue is the heart of the Village and features many boutique shopping experiences as well as dozens of dining options.
Shores
Cays
Four miles south of the Village you’ll find a unique waterfront community known as the Cays. Ten different condominium and single-family villages have both onthe-water and off-the-water homes. Many waterfront properties come with private boat docks to park your favorite water toys right in your own back yard barbecue! The Cays has five tennis courts, an off-leash dog park, and is just a short walk from the Silver Strand State Beach.
Located right along the Pacific Ocean are 1,500 resort-style condominiums. Just a few steps from the Hotel del Coronado, these ten high-rise-style buildings feature some of the best views in all of San Diego. Ranging from studios to three-bedroom flats, the Shores were thoughtfully designed to provide every unit with a view of either the San Diego and Glorietta Bay, the beach, or even both! Additional features include four swimming pools, eight tennis courts, two clubhouses, an on-site gym, and lush tropical landscaping. Once you’re here you won’t want to leave!
city Government & Services
City of Coronado
1825 Strand Way
www.coronado.ca.us
619.522.7300
City Services Animal Control
Animal licenses, adoptions & lost pets
1395 1st St.
www.coronado.ca.us
619.522.7371
Fire Services
1001 6th St.
619.522.7374
Police Services
700 Orange Ave.
619.588.7350
Public Services
101 B Ave.
619.522.7380
Coronado Public Library
640 Orange Ave.
619.522.7390
Located in the heart of town right across the street from Spreckels Park is the Coronado Library. Originally built in 1909, this treasured city building offers over 150,000 books, 70,000 multimedia resources, a children’s and teen section, as well as a digital media lab and recording studio.
Coronado Senior Center
1019 7th St.
619.435.2616
Truly a local gem, the senior center was redesigned in 2019 and offers fun activities for seniors and the general public, including a world-class artificial turf lawn bowling green for all Coronado residents to enjoy.
Coronado Recreation Department
1845 Strand Way
619.522.7342
Community Center
1845 Strand Way
619.588.7342
The Glorietta Bay Civic Center and Promenade opened in 2005 and includes a 90,000-square-foot Community Center and City Hall. The following attractions can be found at the Community Center: Pool complex with 50-meter lap and recreational pool, gymnasium with basketball court, indoor rock climbing wall, 5,000 square foot banquet hall available for wedding receptions and other events, Coronado Playhouse, fitness center, dance studio, and a lobby with snack bar and lounge areas.
Medical Facilities
Sharp Coronado Hopsital & Healthcare Center
250 Prospect Place 619.522.3600
www.sharp.com
coronado Schools
Public schools
Coronado Unified School District
Public Schools (CUSD)
Kindergarten – 12th Grade
201 6th St.
619.522.8900
www.coronado.k12.ca.us
Early Childhood
Development Center
Preschools & Kindergarten
199 6th St.
619.522.8923
Coronado Village Elementary
Pre-K – 5th Grade
600 6th St
619.522.8915
Silver Strand Elementary
Preschool – 5th Grade
1350 Leyte Rd
619.522.8934
Coronado Middle School
6th – 8th Grade
550 F Ave.
619.522.8921
Coronado High School
9 – 12th Grade
650 D Ave
619.522.8907
Palm Academy Continuation
High School
9 – 12th Grade
550 D Ave
619.437.7256
An alternative school offering a flexible environment with smaller class sizes.
CUSD Special Programs
Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) 650 D Ave.
619.522.4050
CoSA Digital Media & Filmmaking Department
650 D Ave
619.522.8907
CUSD Preschool & Childcare
199 6th St.
619.522.8940
Private schools
Graham Memorial Preschool 940 C Ave
619.434.2182
Resurrection Preschool 1111 5th St
619.435.0286
Montessori School of San Diego at Coronado 919 C Ave
619.295.7591
Coronado Southern Baptist Preschool & Childcare Center 111 Orange Ave
619.435.8121
Christ Church Day School
Kindergarten – 6th Grade 1114 9th St
619.435.6393
Sacred Heart Parish School
Kindergarten – 8th Grade 706 C Ave
619.437.4431
places of Worship
Calvary Chapel Living Waters
Christian Fellowship 1224 10th St
619.435.8233
Christ Episcopal Church 1114 9th St
619.435.4561
Coronado Community Church Village Hall (corner of 6th St & H Ave)
619.437.6827
First Church of Christ, Scientist 1123 8th St
619.435.4383
Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church 10th & C Ave
619.435.6860
Resurrection Lutheran Church 1111 5th St
619.435.1000
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
655 C Ave
619.435.3167
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
700 D Ave
619.435.5691
Chabad of Coronado 1330 Orange Ave #120-130
619.365.4728
First Baptist Church of Coronado 445 C Ave
619.435.6588
Sandy Feet Church 11500 Orange Ave
619.852.1008
Coronado Island Naval Air Station
Map Key
Government & Services
Places of Interest
Schools
Hospitals
Sunset Park
Coronado Beach & Dog Park
Coronado Preschool
Coronado Unified School District
Village Elementary School
Brian Bent Memorial Aquatics Complex
Coronado School of Arts
John D. Spreckels Center
Coronado Police Department
Coronado
Coronado Beach
Spreckels Center
Coronado Department
Centennial Park
Coronado Farmers Market
Resurrection Preschool
Coronado Ferry Center
Sharp Coronado Hospital
City View Picnic Spot
Coronado Fire Department USPS
Coronado High School
Coronado Public Library
Spreckels Park
Sacred Heart Parish School
City of Coronado Skatepark
Coronado Bridge Viewpoint
Coronado Tennis Center
CoronadoYacht Club
Coronado Municipal Golf Course
Hotel Del Coronado
Coronado Shores Beach
Coronado Community Center
Coronado City Hall
moving here
Moving Checklist
Change your address
Coronado Post Office 1320 Ynez Place
619.435.1142
Apply for a California driver’s license & register your vehicle at the DMV
800.777.0133 www.dmv.ca.gov
Register to vote (3 ways)
Visit: www.sdvote.com
Call: 800.345.VOTE to have a registration form mailed to you.
Pick up registration at Coronado City Hall, Post Office, or Library.
Get your pets licensed within 30 days of arrival
Coronado Police ServicesAnimal Control
700 Orange Ave
619.522.7371
Obtain Free Parking Decals & Guest Parking Passes
Coronado Police Department
Administrative / Records
700 Orange Avenue
619.522.7366
Some streets in Coronado require parking permits, which are free to residents living within one of those areas. Guest parking placards are also free and each resident may obtain up to three of them.
Connect your Utilities
Spectrum Cable TV
866.874.2389 1110 Orange Ave
San Diego Gas & Electric
800.411.7343
Edco Trash Service
619.287.7560
Cal-Am Water Co.
619.575.1105
Coronado Real Estate
Coronado is a unique submarket in San Diego real estate. Surrounded by water on all sides, it is often said that “they aren’t making any more land in Coronado.” This has created a sense of scarcity and a buffer against other market factors in down real estate markets. While Coronado homes do go up and down in value, the dips don’t seem quite as low as the highs.
Newcomers often experience sticker shock when seeing Coronado real estate prices for the first time and it is no secret
that Coronado has some of the highest cost per-square-foot prices in the United States. The unique combination of great weather, coastal access, small-town atmosphere, and close proximity to the fifth largest metro in the country all add up to create a unique, and expensive, place to call home. However, it is these unique factors that make Coronado an irreplaceable community which people travel far and wide to visit.
2022 coronado market Statistics
playing here
Community Events
One of Coronado’s main appeals is its small-town, friendly and close-knit atmosphere. There are numerous community events offered each month. Here are a few of the seasonal favorites:
Spring:
- Arts Ball
- Coronado Chamber of Commerce Salute to the Military Ball
- Coronado Schools Foundation Telethon
- Easter Egg-stravaganza –Coronado Recreation Department
- Annual Coronado Flower Show –Coronado Floral Association
- Annual Book Fair – Friends of the Coronado Library
- Motor Cars on Main Street
- Coronado Hospital Foundation Ball
- Navy MWR Annual Bay Bridge
4-Mile Run / Walk
- Naval Special Warfare SUPER FROG Triathlon
- Mother’s Day Historic Home Tour
Summer:
- American Cancer Society Relay For Life
- Rotary Low Tide Ride & Stride
- Concerts in the Park, Spreckels Park
- 4th of July Parade & Celebration
- Coronado Ferry Landing Summer Concerts
- Optimist Sports Fiesta
Fall:
- Mainstreet Garden Party
- Speed Festival @ North Island
- San Diego Fleet Week Sea & Air Parade
- Coronado Art Walk
- Downtown Goes Ghostly – Mainstreet
- Coronado Schools Foundation Dinner & Auction
Winter:
- Skating by the Sea – Hotel del Coronado
- Coronado Chamber of Commerce
- Christmas Parade & Merchant Open House
- Artisans Alley Craft Fair
- Snow Mountain – Coronado Recreation Department
- Breakfast with Santa – Coronado Recreation Department
- Parade of Lights
On-going:
- Art in the Park – First and third Sunday of every month, 9am – 4pm
- Coronado Farmers Market –Tuesdays, 2:30pm - 6pm
- Ferry Landing Marketplace
Cultural Activities
Coronado Playhouse www.coronadoplayhouse.com
Coronado’s community theater for over 60 years, the Playhouse has a yearround schedule and offers a full-service bar for guests.
Lamb’s Players Theatre www.lambsplayers.org
A leading non-profit performing arts organization in Southern California, the Theatre studio resides in the historic Spreckels Building, with seating for 350 guests.
Coronado Museum of History & Art www.coronadohistory.org
Used for historical research by locals and other historians, the museum actually contains three separate galleries, each focused on a unique part of Coronado’s past. A lecture hall, managed by restaurant Tent City, is a multi-purpose venue for the Museum and available for bookings.
recreation & Leisure
Aquatics Center
619.522.2464
The Center offers a 50-meter competitive pool and a shallow recreation / instructional pool. Aerobics, lifeguard instruction, open lap swim, and family time in the summer are some of the many offerings of the Center, which has a spectacular view of Glorietta Bay.
Ferry Landing
A small sandy beach with a sweeping view of downtown San Diego, the Ferry Landing is a great spot to catch a ride to San Diego on the ferry or grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants sharing the same view.
Coronado Skate Park
With over 16,000 square feet of concrete ramps, bowls, grinds, and jumps, this world-class skate park offers challenges for all levels. Ranging from 2-8 feet in depth, there’s room for everyone. The Coronado Skate Park is located in Tidelands Park.
Biking & Rollerblading
Offering over 15 miles of dedicated bike and skating paths, Coronado hosts a part of a larger 24-mile loop around the San Diego Bay known as the Bayshore Bikeway. Cruise down for lunch at the Bikeway Village in Imperial Beach or ride your bike across the bridge in an annual event known as the Bike The Bay.
Coronado Tennis Center
619.435.1616
While Coronado offers over 15 public courts, the Coronado Tennis Center hosts 8 courts and also provides a club-like experience. A pro shop with the latest in tennis fashion and racket stringing services complements the clubhouse and open-air seating. Reservations can be made in person or by telephone up to a week in advance. The Coronado Tennis Association is a non-profit group offering different leagues and competitive play options for those looking to find people to play with.
Coronado Municipal Golf Course www.golfcoronado.com
619.435.3121 x 101
Featuring an 18-hole, par-72 course, Coronado’s only public golf course offers scenic views of Glorietta Bay and San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge. A driving range, pro shop, restaurant, and meeting rooms are available.
Boating & Fishing
Coronado features two marinas, one in the Village at the Glorietta Bay Marina, and one in the Cays at Loews Crown Isle Marina. You can rent small personal watercraft or deep-sea-worthy vessels at both locations. There is also the Coronado Yacht Club, a members-only organization with slips for rent and social memberships for those without a boat. You can inquire about boat rentals at Glorietta Bay Marina at 619.437.1514.
Glorietta Bay
Home of the Coronado Yacht Club and a boat launch, Glorietta Bay is a scenic and secluded section of San Diego Bay. Dotted with small sandy beaches, it is a popular destination for locals looking to cool off during the warm summer months.
San Diego Bay
Fishing, sailing, and water-skiing are just some of the things happening on this body of water bordering 5 cities in San Diego County. Get a different perspective and rent a boat for an afternoon and explore the 34 miles of coastline that San Diego Bay has to offer.
Coronado Beach
Located between two naval bases and spanning two miles, Coronado Beach is famous for its white sand, and is often nominated a top ten beach in the USA. Some of the country’s most expensive real estate dots Ocean Blvd while cyclists, roller-bladers, and joggers exercise on the promenade. Volleyball courts, tidepools, fishing, and fire rings are popular amenities on the sand. At the north end of the beach you will find one of two off-leash dog parks in Coronado, known as Dog Beach.
Silver Strand State Beach
Across the highway from the Coronado Cays you will find the Silver Strand. This beach is famous for kite surfers and offers fire rings, lifeguards, restrooms and showers. Overnight RV camping is popular and daily parking fees apply for guests not spending the night.
Glorietta Bay Beach
South of the Hotel del Coronado and adjacent to the Coronado Community Center, Glorietta Bay Beach offers a view of the San Diego-Coronado Bridge and all of the water activities underneath it. Watch as sail and power boats come and go into the Coronado Yacht Club from a grass-filled park offering playground equipment and a small sandy beach.
