Coronado Beach is a popular spot located just across the bay from downtown San Diego. It's well-known for its laid-back vibe and is easily accessible. You can park in Coronado and take a short walk to the beach. While it gets busy, especially during the summer months, the crowd factor is pretty average compared to other San Diego beaches. If you're planning to surf the sandbars near the military base, be ready for a little hike up the beach.

The surf at Coronado is generally considered average, often showing a bit of a closed-out nature. The beach break can handle swells from 3 to 6 feet (around 1 to 2 meters) and is most responsive to south, southeast, southwest, and straight south swells. When the conditions line up, the waves can break to the left and right over the sandy bottom, but it's usually a moderate paddle through the peaks, which can get a bit dumpy. Ideal swell sizes are between chest-high to overhead during the right conditions. The preferred wind directions are from the north and north-northeast, and the best tide heights range from low to mid, mid, and mid to high.

If you’re an intermediate or expert surfer, you might find some fun during a solid southerly hurricane swell, which is most common in late summer and autumn. During those rare conditions, the beach can turn into a barrel fest, making the effort worthwhile. However, on a normal day, it might not wow you. For board types, shortboards and fish are commonly used here, fitting the beach break style.