First Street runs along the bay side of Coronado and faces slightly northeast toward downtown San Diego. Where homes sit directly on the water, the skyline, the bay and the bridge fill the same view.
- Character
- Scenic and a little more public, with the ferry, parks and cafes along the water.
- Homes
- A short row of single-family bayfront houses, with condominium buildings along the same stretch.
- Getting around
- Walk to the Ferry Landing, Centennial Park and First Street cafes; the ferry crosses to downtown.
- Worth checking
- Flood and sea-level exposure, bulkhead condition, view protection and visitor traffic.
Living here
This stretch is close to the Ferry Landing and Centennial Park, with restaurants and cafes along First Street, so it is easy to make a morning of a walk and a coffee. The water is calmer than on the ocean side, and the skyline lights up in the evening. A path in front of the homes brings walkers and cyclists past the door.
Homes you will find
Local reporting counts only about 30 single-family homes on First Street west of Centennial Park with the front-row view, and the other side of the street is mostly multifamily buildings. A few condominium buildings near the Ferry Landing give owners a similar outlook without the upkeep of a house. Each waterfront house is individual, so there are few direct comparisons.
What to check before you buy here
- Flood and sea-level exposure. Ask for the flood zone, an elevation certificate and insurance quotes.
- Bulkhead and dock. Waterfront structures deserve a specialist inspection.
- The view. Learn what could be built on nearby lots and what rules apply.
- Visitor traffic. Spend a summer weekend on the street before you decide.
Who it suits
People for whom a skyline view and a walk to the ferry matter more than a large yard. If the beach is the draw, compare it with the streets near the Hotel del Coronado.
Source: San Diego Business Journal, First Street bayfront homes.
Other areas to compare
- The Village — Coronado's walkable historic center around Orange Avenue and Spreckels Park.
- Coronado Shores — Ten oceanfront towers on 32 beachfront acres just south of the Hotel del Coronado.
- Coronado Cays — A boater's community of villages built around private inlets and peninsulas.
- Country Club Estates — A quiet residential neighborhood on the island's northwest end, named for the old Coronado Country Club.
- Ocean Boulevard and the Hotel del — The beachfront streets around the Hotel del Coronado, where the island meets the Pacific.
- Glorietta Bay and the Bayfront — The bay side of the island: Glorietta Bay, Tidelands Park and the Ferry Landing.
- The Golf Course and Marina Area — The streets beside Coronado Municipal Golf Course, Glorietta Bay Marina and the yacht club.
- The Silver Strand and South End — The narrow sandy strip south of the Cays, with state beach, open space and naval facilities.
General information only. Boundaries are informal and details change, so confirm specifics for any property you consider.