Coronado Beach or Santa Monica?

[MomToOne]

We are doing a combined Disneyland/San Diego trip the week before Labor Day and my daughter wants to hit the beach one day. I've narrowed it down to hitting either Coronado Beach when we are down in San Diego, or Santa Monica when we are in Anaheim (Huntington or Newport just don't hit my fancy for some reason). Which one is better for just a relaxing beach day, with maybe a bit of wandering/relaxed tourist-type shopping thrown in for good measure? (I'd like to park the car and leave it.) Which generally has the clearer water? Which generally has gentler waves?

 

[carolinamama]

CORONADO!! Okay, so I didn't get in the water, but we LOVED the area! Coronado is upscale, and there's a lot of little restaurants and shops within walking distance of the beach. We parked near the Del in an underground parking garage. The beach was beautiful, lots of families enjoying the sand and water. You can rent bikes (we saw up to 4 seats) and ride around town very easily. Our little jaunt out to Coronado turned out to be one of the highlights of our entire week.

 

[NorCalGuy]

It really depends on what you're looking for. Coronado IS beautiful, no doubt. It's just a bit too upscale and precious for some folks. Personally, I MUCH prefer Santa Monica. It's located on a beautiful stretch of coastline, has tons of interesting shops and eating spots (both fancy and simple), and has a great old historic pier with rides! Besides, you might even spot a movie star while you're there!

 

[MulanFan]

Santa Monica! I love the pier, and there is a cute aquarium under the pier. You can rent roller blades and there's an open air shopping area.

 

[kim3339]

I think it really depends on the type/age of people and the atmosphere you want. I absolutely love Coronado. When I lived in San Diego, every free chance I had, I was at that beach. It is really nice, quiet and family oriented. Waves aren't big, kinda of medium. 2 downsides- there is a military base on the other side of the island, and the planes fly into it which can get really loud. (But if you like planes, that could be a plus) And the other is that the beach is wide. If you park on the street the walk to the actual water is far. Can be a pain if you have a lot to carry. The Del is really nice to walk aroung and there are some cute shops, and the bars are nice. If you want a "people" beach with a ton of people in San Diego, then go to Mission Beach. Santa Monica, on the other hand, is really fun and there is a ton to do. Besides the pier, with some rides, and the beach, up a couple of blocks is the 3rd Street Promenade. Its pretty much an mall along the street with stores, but 3rd Street is closed to traffic. Sometimes there are street performers and shows in the street. You really can't go wrong either way.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have been to both and they are both fun in their own way. Dh and I spent some time on the Silver Stand beach on Coronado. It was deserted and we walked and walked and barely saw anyone. It was wonderful. We were staying at the Lowes Hotel on Coronado and it was right across the street from that (our hotel had little golf carts to ferry us across/under the highway). There was some parking right there as well. Then there is more beach area further up more by the Hotel Del Coronado. We were south of that and it was very quiet.

Santa Monica is much more touristy and crowded. We liked that and we enjoyed eating at some Mexican Restaurant at the end of the pier, but we preferred the one in Cornonado for just soaking in the beach.

Honestly, in the L.A. area, I prefer Newport and Huntington over Santa Monica. Much easier in my book and much less crowded.

 

[jlwhitney]

I have been to huntington and santa monica and liked hunginton a lot more. WHen I was there Santa monica was full of bums and creepy homeless people. We saw cops kick more than one out of the promenade area (the shopping and eating area)...overall kinda creepy feeling.