Coronado is best known for its postcard beach and the landmark Hotel del Coronado, but a few miles south along the Silver Strand, the same stretch of sand turns into one of San Diego County's most consistently windy kiteboarding spots, with an official state park zone built specifically for the sport.
Why Silver Strand?
Silver Strand State Beach sits on the narrow sand isthmus connecting Coronado to Imperial Beach, with the open Pacific on one side and San Diego Bay just across Highway 75 on the other.
→ It is widely described as the most consistently windy spot in San Diego County, driven by the region's dependable afternoon thermal sea breeze, best on northwest to west northwest wind, with the bay side offering a flatter, more sheltered alternative when the ocean side is too much.
↳ California State Parks has gone as far as marking out an official kite surfing zone here, launching and landing between the entrance kiosk and lifeguard Tower 0, which makes it one of the more clearly regulated, rider friendly spots on the coast once you know the rules.
Getting There & Getting Around
- Fly into San Diego International Airport (SAN), then drive about 20 to 25 minutes to Silver Strand State Beach via the Coronado Bridge and Highway 75, or via Interstate 5 and Palm Avenue through Imperial Beach from the south.
- → The state beach charges a day use parking fee of approx. $12 to $20 per vehicle depending on demand, though free overflow parking is sometimes available on the bay side in Coronado Cays, a short walk to the beach.
- ↳ Gates open at 7am year round and lock in the evening, with closing time shifting seasonally, so check current hours before planning a late session.
When to Kitesurf
Winter months, roughly November through April, bring the strongest, most reliable wind as storm systems pass through, typically 14 to 24 knots from the northwest or southwest. Summer settles into the classic San Diego thermal pattern, lighter at around 5 to 11 knots, filling in by mid morning and fading by early afternoon. Water temperature stays relatively cool year round, from the high 50s Fahrenheit in winter up to around 68 degrees at its warmest in August, so a wetsuit is standard here almost all year.
Hazards: this beach sits directly between two Navy facilities, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado to the north and a Navy SEAL training complex to the south, which is exactly why the designated kite zone is kept tightly between the entrance kiosk and Tower 0. Riding north of that zone toward the base is not permitted and is enforced by lifeguards. Kiters must stay 200 feet from non kiters at all times, and from October through mid March, anyone who rides south of Tower 0 must bring their kite down immediately, since that stretch is protected snowy plover habitat. Boats are barred from the designated swim zone, and ocean side waves can close out fast in deep water with no reef underneath.
Kitesurf Spots
- Silver Strand State Beach, ocean side: Open beach break with fast closing waves, no reef, within the marked kite zone near the park entrance.
Wave: Open ocean swell, chest high to occasionally double overhead in winter
Level: Intermediate to advanced, due to wave power and zone restrictions - Silver Strand, bay side: Flatter, more sheltered water across Highway 75, reached through pedestrian tunnels under the road.
Wave: Flat water, lighter and patchier wind
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Where to Stay
→ Prices below are approximate and were checked in November 2026. There is no hotel directly on Silver Strand itself, so all three sit in nearby Coronado village, a short drive from the beach.
Budget ($)
El Cordova Hotel on Coronado Island, 1351 Orange Avenue
A historic, moderately priced boutique inn in Coronado village. Rooms start from approx. $129/night, seen November 2026.
Mid-Range ($$)
Best Western Plus Suites Hotel Coronado Island
A standard suites hotel in Coronado village. Rooms start from approx. $183/night, seen November 2026.
Beachfront/Luxury ($$$)
Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton
The iconic beachfront landmark on Coronado's main beach. Rooms start from approx. $398 to $411/night, seen November 2026.
Food and Drink
- Classic fish tacos: Bluewater Grill, Coronado
→ Fish or Shrimp Tacos run approx. $22 on the lunch menu, or two Blackened Fish Tacos for approx. $10 on the happy hour menu, per the restaurant's current site. - Coronado seafood staple: Brigantine Seafood Restaurant, 1333 Orange Avenue
↳ Known for The Brig's Famous Fish Tacos, listed at approx. $10.50 to $11.50 depending on lunch or brunch, though this figure is from an older menu listing, so confirm current pricing. - Local diner: Night and Day Cafe, Coronado
→ A long running local diner known for its fish taco or tostada. Exact current pricing was not posted online at the time of writing, so check on arrival.
Photographing Silver Strand (Surf Snaps)
A kite cutting across the Strand with the Hotel del Coronado's red roofline in the distance is one of the more recognizable shots in Southern California kiteboarding, and it rarely gets captured well. If that is your session, or your frame, Surf Snaps is built for exactly this. Photographers upload a gallery once at surf-snaps.com/upload and it stays live as a shoppable set, with no subscription, listing fee, or storage bill, and nothing owed until a photo actually sells. Surf Snaps takes a 10% revenue share, pays the rest out monthly, and the photographer keeps copyright throughout. Riders can browse without even creating an account at surf-snaps.com/explore, with photos listed from $8, and our kitesurfing photography tips cover how to get sharper shots of your own sessions.
FAQ: Kitesurfing Silver Strand, Coronado
Is Silver Strand good for beginner kiteboarders?
The bay side, reached through tunnels under Highway 75, offers flatter, more sheltered water that suits newer riders, while the ocean side's fast closing waves favor intermediate and advanced kiters.
Where exactly is the designated kite zone at Silver Strand?
Launching and landing is permitted only between the park entrance kiosk and lifeguard Tower 0, with riding allowed south of there under specific seasonal rules, and no kiteboarding permitted north toward the Navy base.
What is the best time of year to kitesurf Silver Strand?
Winter, roughly November through April, brings the strongest and most reliable wind from passing storm systems, while summer settles into a lighter, more classic thermal pattern.
What are the main hazards at Silver Strand?
Proximity to active Navy training areas on both sides of the park, a required 200 foot buffer from non kiters, seasonal shorebird protections, and fast, reef free ocean waves that can close out quickly.
Where can I find photos of my session at Silver Strand?
Check surf-snaps.com/explore, where photographers shooting San Diego County list their galleries by spot and date, so you can search for your own session without needing an account just to browse.
