The Coronado Ferry is a charming and affordable way of familiarizing yourself with San Diego’s beautiful waterfront. Renowned as the oldest functioning wooden ferry currently in use throughout the entire United States, the Coronado Ferry is a practical yet scenic way to move between San Diego and Coronado. Run by Flagship Cruises & Events—the same tour company that operates the Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride and a number of other specially themed harbor cruises in the San Diego area—the Coronado Ferry is a 15-minute boat ride shuttling numerous times a day between downtown San Diego and lovely Coronado. With two different routes to choose from, it’s your call whether to utilize the ferry as a kind of public transportation getting you promptly from San Diego landmark to San Diego landmark, as an inexpensive and brief yet still very scenic harbor tour, or both!
Save on your visit to the Coronado Ferry!
Coronado Ferry is included on the Go San Diego Pass. Save an additional 5% on the Go City Pass with Coupon Code: GO5CMANTIS The discount stacks on top the current sale prices! Promo expires on February 29th.
What to Expect on the Coronado Ferry
Here are some basic background details about the historic Coronado Ferry.
• There are two kinds of ferry service available to passengers: there is a daily route that travels between Broadway Pier and Coronado Ferry Landing, and there is a daily route back and forth from the San Diego Convention Center and Coronado Ferry Landing.
• The Convention Center-Coronado Ferry Landing route runs just about every half-hour between roughly 9:00am and 10:00pm. That’s nearly thirty different time slots to choose from, and hours of operation are extended by an hour on Fridays and Saturdays.
• The Broadway Pier to Coronado Ferry Landing service leaves Broadway Pier on the hour every hour between 9:00am and 9:00pm; the reverse journey goes every hour on the half-hour between 9:30am and 9:30pm. Fridays and Saturdays feature an extra hour’s worth of options.
• Tickets cost $7 per person, and cover only a one-way trip—meaning if you want to make the ferry a round-trip ride, you’ll actually need to purchase two tickets. All children ages 3 and under ride the Coronado Ferry free. Tickets may be purchased in person at the ferry ticket booth, or ahead of time online.
• Every Monday through Friday morning between the hours of approximately 5:00am and 9:00am, San Diego residents are entitled to ride a commuter’s version of the Coronado Ferry for free. Special commuter tickets must be obtained in order to enjoy this privilege, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re a local.
Helpful Tips for the Coronado Ferry
Even though the Coronado Ferry clocks in at a brief 15 minutes, you’ll still want to make certain your prepared to make the most of it. Here are some useful things to keep in mind as you prepare for your ferry ride.
• If you are seeing other sights while in San Diego you can save some money if by getting a Go San Diego Pass. The Coronado Ferry is included as are many other great San Diego Attractions.
A quarter-hour doesn’t seem like a very long time, but rest assured, it’s still long enough for weather on the water to fluctuate. As a result, you’ll need to come ready for variable conditions. The temperature on the water can often be much cooler than on land—even on a relatively warm day—so it’s a good idea to dress in layers you can add or subtract as need be. Likewise, it never hurts to wear a hat and bring some sunscreen, especially if you plan on enjoying the fresh air from the ferry’s open-air top deck.
• Unfortunately, the open-air top deck is not wheelchair accessible, and the ferry’s restrooms aren’t either. The boat and its interior main deck are wheelchair accessible.
• While space is limited, you are allowed to bring bicycles on the ferry at no cost. Pets are not allowed unless they are service animals, and smoking is strictly prohibited anywhere on the boat.
• If you want to get a sneak preview of the sort of scenery you’ll encounter as a passenger on the Coronado Ferry, be advised that Flagship Cruises & Events maintains a live “Flagship Ferry Cam” on their website. This free service provides a window into San Diego Bay’s natural beauty and the ways in which that natural beauty is reflected in the city’s modern skyline.
• Bring your camera. Some of the best views of San Diego can be seen while on the ferry ride. Don’t forget to take in the beautiful Coronado Bridge. If you want to keep taking photos after you get to Coronado, walk over to Centennial Park for some great shots. Afterwards, you can rent a kayak or SUP at Bike and Kayak Tours Coronado.