Silver Strand State Parks on the Beach - Guide to Silver Strand State Beach

Silver Strand State Beach in Coronado, California (in San Diego County)

Silver Strand, or simply The Strand, is a low, narrow, sandy isthmus 7 miles (11 km) long in San Diego County, California partially within the Silver Strand State Beach. It connects Coronado "Island" (actually not an island but the northern end of the Silver Strand) with Imperial Beach. Together with the Point Loma peninsula it shelters and defines San Diego Bay. State highway 75 runs the length of the strand and is a popular site for jogging and bicycling. The Silver Strand Half Marathon is run along the route each November.
Silver Strand State Beach, which encompasses both the San Diego Bay and Pacific Ocean sides of the strand, is a little farther off the beaten path of the highly popular beaches in Ocean Beach and Mission Beach, offering more solitude for those who wish to get away from the beach crowds. The ocean side of the strand features 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of coastline trimmed with silver shells (thus named Silver Strand).
The beaches north and south of the state beach are military property. North of it is Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and south of it is Silver Strand Training Complex. Much of the SEAL's training takes place on the beaches.

Camping in Silver Strand State Beach

Campground Map of Silver Strand State Beach in Coronado, California

Camping—En route camping (136 spaces) is available first come, first served for self-contained vehicles only. Self-contained vehicles have built-in enclosed systems that can hold and store water and tanks that hold and store sewage. Hookups are not available. To en route camp at the park, use parking lot #4 at the north end of the ocean side and vacate your parking space by 9:00 a.m.

Camp Fires: Beach fires must be in a designated concrete fire ring only. Portable wash tub fire containers are not allowed on the beach (unless placed inside a fire ring). Camp stoves or “wash tubs”must be elevated six inches or more above the pavement. Fires must be maintained at all times. Coals or ashes must be deposited in a “Hot Coals” container (red cans located next to dumpsters) or a fire ring. Hot coals and fires should be doused with water, not sand.

For overnight camping: Self-contained vehicles only (one which has the capacity to hold waste water in tanks). Minimum requirement is a built-in sink with an enclosed drain system and a portable toilet. There are no hook-ups or dump stations. Tent camping is not allowed. Campers and their pets may not sleep outside their vehicle.

Picnicking—Ramadas and tables are available at the beach and bay side picnic areas, with fire rings on the beach during summer. Pedestrian tunnels under the freeway allow access to the bay side picnic area and views of San Diego Bay.

Pets: must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under control at all times. They are not allowed on the beach, tunnels or bayside area of the park. Dogs are not allowed to sleep outside overnight, Noisy, aggressive pets must be controlled immediately. Owners must pick up after their pets.

Vehicle Restrictions: One registered, selfcontained vehicle, plus one legally towed or towing vehicle is allowed per space. Each campsite is allowed one extra vehicle if it fits within the lines of the campsite. All vehicles must park in the campsite where they are registered. A separate fee must be paid for an extra vehicle. Towed, towing and extra vehicles must each display a parking pass in the windshield. The passes are issued by park staff as towed before they are unhitched, in order to be issued a pass. All vehicles must be parked fully within the limit lines of your camp space. Campsites can not be used for the purpose of parking non self-contained vehicles.

Parking: Trailers, must be backed into designated campsites so that the trailer hitch is easily accessible from the main road. All self-contained vehicles must park parallel to the white lines within their campsite.

For more details of Silver Strand State Beach campgrounds and maps, and more Silver Strand State Beach activity guide refer here.

Campground Site Map of Silver Strand State Beach

Fishing—Perch, corbina and yellow-fin croakers are prolific here, and during the summer, spawning grunion may be caught on the sand. Anglers must carry a valid California sport fishing license.

Swimming/Sailing—The calmer and slightly warmer water in the bay is ideal for swimming and sailing.

Kiteboarding—This is a natural place for kiteboarding. The wind is always five to ten degrees higher than at San Diego area beaches. Intermediate to advanced kiteboarders use the area daily. Kiteboarding is only permitted at parking lot #1, the southernmost open parking lot, downwind of people on the beach or in the water, and north of the Silver Strand State Beach Natural Preserve. Kites must not cast shadows over the beach or any other protected bird habitat.

Aquatic Center—Crown Cove Aquatic Center is a collaborative effort between California State Parks, Southwestern Community College and the California Department of Boating and Waterways. The facility is located on the bay side of Silver Strand State Beach and offers classes in boating safety, leadership training, CPR, first aid, swift water rescue, lifeguard training and more.

Park facilities include four large parking lots, which can accommodate up to 1,000 vehicles. Restroom and cold showers are available on each side of the park. Beach restrooms are for Day-Use visitors. Per Coastal Commission regulations, campers must be in fully self-contained vehicles. Fire rings for cookouts are available on the beach during summer. It is always a good idea to call ahead regarding operating hours, fees, and conditions, which can change.

The bay side of the park offers views of San Diego Bay. Three pedestrian tunnels lead from the parking lots under the highway to the bay side of the park. (The bay side of the park is restricted to pedestrian traffic only. No vehicles are allowed in the tunnels or on the bay side.) The water in the bay area is usually warmer and calmer, perfecting for swimming and sailing. Ramadas, tables, barbecue pits, and fire rings are available in the area. South of the developed area, there are one and a half miles of ocean and natural preserve. Strolling along the beach, visitors may see moon snail shells, cockle shells, and an occasional sand dollar in the sand.

~ Dogs are not allowed on the beach, in the tunnels, or on the bay side.
~ Dogs are allowed only in the day use and camping area parking lots.
~ All dogs must remain on a leash no longer than six feet in length.

The Silver Strand Beach Café operates Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends for the busy summer season and offers a variety of ice cream sundaes, sandwiches, and bar-be-que. Some beach amenities such as boogie boards for rent and sunscreen, sunglasses, ice, firewood, and hats are for sale.

Surfing in in Silver Strand State Beach

The two miles of beach break with white sandy beaches are best at medium to high tide on a mixed swell. Surfers should stay north or south of the swimming area.

Coronado Surfing Academy provides surfing lessons year round. Our instructors are certified & all equipment is provided. For more information please contact http://www.coronadosurfing.com/contact.php or telephone (619) 293-3883.

Hiking in Silver Strand State Beach

Hiking Trail Map of Silver Strand State Beach in San Diego, California

The public is not allowed on the Navy property north of Silver Strand State Beach.

Regularly Scheduled Programs

Junior Rangers
Campfire Programs
Nature Walks
"Explore & Restore SSSB"
Kayak Tours
Grunion Runs
Junior Lifeguards
Park Champions

Nearby State Beaches to Silver Strand State Beach

• Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, in San Diego at San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street (619) 220-5422

Location of Silver Strand State Beach

The Silver Strand State Beach is located at 32.64660°N 117.14790°W. The Silver Strand State Beach he beach is located 4.5 miles south of the city of Coronado on Highway 75. The park is located on the sand-spit that forms the outer edge of San Diego Bay between Coronado and Imperial Beach. The park has 2 ? miles of ocean beach and ? mile on the bay. The entrance to the park is from Highway 75, which serves as a divider between the ocean side of the park and the bay side.

Address
5000 Highway 75
Coronado, CA 92118

Silver Strand State Beach can be contacted at 619-435-5184.

Here is a driving map to Silver Strand State Beach.

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Here is a detailed list of other state beaches of California besides Silver Strand State Beach.