People Don't Realize This Still Exists - The Historic San Diego to Coronado Ferry

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People Don't Realize This Still Exists - The Historic San Diego to Coronado Ferry

Рет қаралды 22,399

Күн бұрын

The Coronado Ferry first started in started bringing people between San Diego and Coronado in 1886, but despite that not a lot of people realize that it still exists and is a very affordable way to take a cruise across San Diego Bay and visit Coronado.
The ferry leaves San Diego from Broadway Pier or the Convention Center, and makes a 15 minute cruise across the San Diego Bay to the Coronado Ferry Landing, where you can find a number of shops and restaurants. If you have a bicycle, there is no extra cost to bring your bike on the ferry, which is great as Coronado is very bike friendly.
Next to Coronado Ferry Landing is Centennial Park, a park at the location of the original Coronado ferry terminal that features a number of historic monuments and amazing views of San Diego across the bay.
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@maryuline2585 2 жыл бұрын

OMG I have so many memories of riding on that ferry long before the bridge was built! Born and lived in Hollywood we used to go to San Diego often for little trips. Always stayed in Coronado at this little cute courtyard style hotel. We knew the owners and we would always have a great time. Oh those were the days when life was great and no problems! We used to splurge and have 1 dinner at the Del Coronado Hotel and sunbathed at their beach. The military jets used to fly right over that beach and it was thrilling to see them. This was way before Top Gun, lol!!

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

The jets still fly over the beach!

@joinjen3854 2 жыл бұрын

Top Gun was never at NASNI Coronado ( only in Maverick) . I was stationed at NASNI and it was a fabulous duty station. The jets were S2 or S3 and helicopters, not fighter jets. They were ASW jets. The real Top Gun was at NAS Miramar and now at Fallon Nevada.

@pattty008 3 ай бұрын

We, military know that. Let her keep her memories.

@rayworx 2 жыл бұрын

Having grown up in SD I remember the ferry hauling our car across to Coronado. In 1962 I was 10 years old and it was a great trip with my parents! They've since passed and I appreciate the memories.Thank you!

@kenuber4014 6 ай бұрын

Yep, prior to 1969 we would load the car on the ferry and travel to Coronado. The family loved the adventure too! Great memories right there. Thanks Steve!

@ThatBoomerDude56 2 жыл бұрын

Back in the 1960s, before the bridge, Mom used to drive her 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser onto the automobile carrying Coronado ferry when we went over to the apartment building that Grandma owned at 4th & Orange.

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

I can imagine their being quite the line for the ferry at rush hour.

@maryuline2585 2 жыл бұрын

Soooo cool. The good old days I remember them well.

@ThatBoomerDude56 2 жыл бұрын

@@SidetrackAdventures Oh, yeah. Even with the bridge & hwy 5 there's sometimes quite a traffic jam coming off the island. Back then, the North Island naval base would all be headed for the ferry.

@betsyj59 2 жыл бұрын

When I was a little kid back in the 1960s, my family would take the ferry to Coronado for weekend outings. There was an incredible Greek deli downtown and we always stopped there first to get a "log roll" - sweet grape candied filling covered in nuts. It's funny the memories that last a lifetime. Another was going out to dinner at Figaro's in Hillcrest on a fairly frequent basis. That place was magical. Almost makes me want to cry remembering what San Diego and North County used to be like - such a high, high quality of life and beautiful, un-ruined landscapes stretching as far as the eye could see.

@boomtownrat5106 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for highlighting the San Diego Ferry. Never had the pleasure of riding. I grew up in the San Fernando Valley and in 1969 my dad moved us down to Imperial Beach. I remember being on the 5 freeway heading south driving by that brand new, sparkling, Coronado Bridge as we were making our way south. My dad owned a business on Coronado Island and we would travel up and down that Silver strand between Imperial Beach and the ‘island.’ My husband grew up in Bird Rock and remembers fondly the days of the ferry. Every time we come down to San Diego to visit we always take the bridge over to the island but after seeing your vlog will have to make it a point to take the ferry over.

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I have always taken the bridge as well, and its certainly faster that way but taking the ferry was a fun change of pace.

@Scott-ky4wq 2 жыл бұрын

Was just in coronado recently, never gets old🔥

@duckbrew 2 жыл бұрын

I was on the USS Danger Ranger. My first yr on board(1986) in May of that yr my buddy and I swam across the san diego bay. That's right. From North Isle all the way across and half way back. I started to get hypothermia and drifting towards the bridge . A boat right near by came at that moment and picked us up and took us back. That was an interesting day to say the least.

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, that's a pretty long swim.

@duckbrew 2 жыл бұрын

@@SidetrackAdventures Really it was a case of two 21 yr old idiots thinking they were invincible. To this day I can't believe we did that.

@u4riahsc 2 жыл бұрын

@@duckbrew Not to mention the boat traffic….

@DW-qe7qe 2 жыл бұрын

Ah yes, I remember taking the old car ferry to Coronado before the bridge was built. The alternative was driving around the “Silver Strand” as I recall. Long time ago it seems.

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

I actually like taking the drive on the Strand. I've been wanting to try riding my bike on it.

@dennisrobinson4588 4 ай бұрын

When I was a little kid my mom and dad would take us on this ride. I would think about going to sea all the time. I guess that got me thinking about sailing the world, which I enjoy now some 70 years later. SDBay is where I learned how to sail with my dad.

@j.b.a.124 2 жыл бұрын

Unforgettable memories when we lived in San Diego’s Ocean Beach from 1978 through 1983. Greetings from Florida.

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

Love going to Ocean Beach. Have a video idea for something over there that I may try to do after the summer.

@01LTO 2 жыл бұрын

My wife and I are also natives and we just took the ferry for the first time a month ago! It was on my SD bucket list… next for me is the Point Loma lighthouse, another staple I’ve never done. Great video! 👍🏻

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Yes, it seems like everyone we spoke to prior to taking the ferry was surprised the ferry was even still around.

@susan7775 Жыл бұрын

The lighthouse used to also be called The Old Spanish Lighthouse

@faryldaryl3975 2 жыл бұрын

It blows my mind that a toll bridge in CA actually dropped the toll, even if it took a hundred years!

@1320fastback 2 жыл бұрын

There was a toll bridge in Oceanside off hwy 76 that they actually got rid of the toll once it was paid off. It happens!

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

I was young when it went away, but I remember a radio station claiming they made a deal and anyone with the radio station's sticker would not have to pay the toll anymore, tricking a bunch of people into putting the sticker on their car.

@1320fastback 2 жыл бұрын

@@SidetrackAdventures I bet it was KGB 🤣

@u4riahsc 2 жыл бұрын

The bridge opened for traffic in 1969, so not 100 years.

@tristanwwsd Жыл бұрын

@@SidetrackAdventures 🤣🤣

@Paulnikon 2 жыл бұрын

I lived in SD for 12 years. Took a few dates on this cruise. One girlfriend, originally from Arizona, had never been on a boat. So we took the ferry on our next date.

@c.h.9193 2 жыл бұрын

Sure wish they would bring back the Auto Ferries like they had in the 50s. That was so much fun. As a family, we would travel back and forth 2-3 times a week. Great Adventure. Washington & Alaska has them, why can't we?

@doubletake2448 2 жыл бұрын

When I was a kid I lived in San Diego in the 1960s. My family would ride the ferry all the time. My mom was a transplant from Chicago and just loved going to Coronado Beach. Back then, Coronado beach was virtually deserted and my brothers and I would pretend that we were ship wrecked on a desert island. The ferry cost $5 cents for kids and a little more for adults and a dedicated shuttle from the Coronado ferry landing to the beach was around $50 cents. Later in the day, we attended minor league Padres games played on a baseball field located just above the Broadway pier adjacent the landing. It was a time when living in San Diego was a paradise which I am sad to say is long gone. Life really was better back then. I miss it but I am grateful that I had it for a short time.

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, that's really cool. The baseball game you went to would have been at Lane Field. I did a video on it awhile back. They have a park there now and have a monument where home plate was and all the bases. I can just imagine hopping on the ferry, catching a game, then hopping back on to head home.

@rayworx 2 жыл бұрын

@@SidetrackAdventures I recall the Padres playing in Westgate Park in what is now Fashion Valley.... least that what it was called when I moved away in '79. My dad's company that could get free tickets to the games. What a great way to spend the evening!

@susan7775 Жыл бұрын

@@rayworx We used to go the Padres games at Westgate Park, also. I went to my first concert there in Nov. 1964, the Dave Clark Five. They were my favorite group, better than the Beatles

@canamrider07 10 ай бұрын

For the opening of the Coronado Bridge they had naval amphibious vehicles take people on rides across the bridge. It was awesome as a kid. crossing the bay on the old ferry was really fun, like the Balboa Ferry.

@galardmills5306 2 жыл бұрын

The ferry, and strolling around Coronado is great fun! I haven’t done it in years. Thanks for the reminder!

@Porsche996driver Жыл бұрын

Thanks Steve! Who knew there was a ferry to make Coronado even more magical. You’re the man, even pointing out the bike racks and ocean movies! 🌊🤙🏼🏄‍♂️

@VintageVermilion 2 жыл бұрын

Before the bridge was built, the ferry was an option for taking your car across to Coronado on the old style ferries. As a little kid, it was a great adventure to ride across to Coronado Navy Base and visit its commissary and base exchange.

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

The ferry landing is so close to the base I can just imagine how many sailors jumped on it over the years to get to downtown San Diego. Must have been something to see.

@PaladinVII 2 жыл бұрын

To my knowledge I've never taken a single boat tour here in SD and I've lived all but 3 years of my life in SD. Thanks for showing this.

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

The ferry is a cheap way to do a bay tour for sure.

@susan7775 Жыл бұрын

I lived my first fourteen years in San Diego. One of our first-grade field trips was riding the ferry for a total of two round trips. We didn’t disembark at Coronado, though. That was in the mid fifties, Alcott Elementary in Clairemont.

@arielsanson929 3 ай бұрын

My first time visiting San Diego, me and my family accidentally stopped here and i absolutely loved it

@scottthornton9237 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for making this video Steve! I have been employed at NAS Coronado for 20 + years, This is the first i hear of a ferry. Although i have never been to the touristy parts of Coronado island. I can vouch for the crazy amount of traffic on that bridge though!

@PhredsArmy Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Really enjoy your videos. I grew up in San Diego and I don't travel much now, but your videos help me to reminisce and share with my wife, without having to get off the couch. Keep up the great adventures.

@SidetrackAdventures Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much, I really appreciate the support.

@josephrogers5337 Жыл бұрын

I can remember my mother-in-law talking about the coronodo ferry. Before the bridge the transportation of choice. She called it the nickel snatcher. Many people worked at North Island and chose public transit to get there. The Nickle Snatcher was one of them. Not just one or two runs a day but many people all times of the day. OH inflation

@brown-eyedman4040 8 ай бұрын

My grandfather was employed at North Island before the bridge. Some days he would take the car and the ferry, other days grandma and I would drop him off and pick him up. My recollection is that the car ferry left from near Lindbergh Field.

@dgribbleco Жыл бұрын

We are going to San Diego in 2 weeks, so I enjoy seeing all the different things San Diego has to offer for us to do. Your show has gave us many ideas.

@SidetrackAdventures Жыл бұрын

Glad I can help. So much to see and do in San Diego.

@VidClips858 Жыл бұрын

If you ride the Cabrillo between Broadway Pier and Coronado (either direction) before 8:30AM Monday-Friday, as part of a commuter program your ride will be free and you will also receive a pass good for that day's return trip, again, all for free. You can't beat that deal if early morning boat trips are your thing.

@wilsonpicket8505 2 жыл бұрын

Before the bridge, That was the only way except for the Silver Strand. We took our cars with us too.

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

I can just imagine the traffic backing up waiting to get on the ferry.

@debbeleigh1930 2 жыл бұрын

My sister was almost born on the ferry. I remember going to North Island for doctor visits and loved riding the ferry. Thank you for sharing these videos!

@andyjay729 Жыл бұрын

Wikipedia says the bridge tolls continued until 2002 (and I remember them; I moved to SD in 1988).

@thegarz1963 2 жыл бұрын

I worked for the Port of San Diego Harbor Police in 1985-86 I remember my training officer talking about the ferry and how it was supposed to return. Great memories of patrolling San Diego Bay. Great video !

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

Patrolling the bay sounds like it could be pretty exciting. So many people in all sorts of different watercraft out there.

@deeexxx8138 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting this, just discovered your channel. I rode the ferry about 17 years ago during an assignment in Coronado. I wish there was a car ferry as an alternative to the bridge or driving "around the elbow" through IB and up the Silver Strand. To accommodate a car ferry, the road infrastructure on each end would have to change and these days that's probably a non-starter, since after decades, nobody can even agree on moving Lindberg Field (SAN).

@secretdaisy6484 2 жыл бұрын

Definitely going over there with my bike. I’ve done PutIn Bay in Ohio and Mackinac Island in Michigan and the biking 🚴‍♀️ experience was awesome. Thanks for sharing. 👍☮️🌞⛴🚴‍♀️💖

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

Its a lot of fun and Coronado is very bike friendly but I'm not sure it will be as great as Mackinac Island. That place looks amazing. Really want to go there.

@robertwhite2032 Жыл бұрын

I remember riding the ferry when I was a kid back in the 60's.

@toncho8981 Жыл бұрын

Me too. I would go on the second deck for the pedestrians. I think it cost ten cents in the 60's.

@robertwhite2032 Жыл бұрын

@@toncho8981 I think that you are right. It was a dime. If I remember correctly, it was 35 cents per vehicle back then.

@davetorres3758 Жыл бұрын

I love using the Coronado ferry to “bike the bay”!

@raymichael7078 Жыл бұрын

Really nice you did a video on this. Haven't been there but it looks like somewhat of an unknown gem .

@addicted2baseballrgd21 2 жыл бұрын

3:28 it's a "Tied Island"

@craignevels3530 Жыл бұрын

That looks like an inexpensive fun day!

@grownupgaming Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this!!! love your videos!

@m.d.grimes1622 2 жыл бұрын

Well done.

@jamesrichardson1326 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. I lived in San Diego my last two years in the Navy.

@andyjay729 Жыл бұрын

I've heard service members during the war called it the Nickel Snatcher. A lot of them obviously took it on their way to North Island.

@conniewojahn6445 2 жыл бұрын

Nice. Not that I'll ever go there, but still nice to see. Thanks for the trip!

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

While Glenn has been to San Diego many times in the past, I've only been once and wasn't there too terribly long. Every time I see videos from there I want to go back. This ferry trip would certainly be part of it. Just looks plain fun honestly. 😊

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

If you get a chance you should definitely head out. There's so much to do in the area and even when you are downtown you can be in the middle of the woods on a mountain in 40 minutes if you want.

@lgd4247 2 жыл бұрын

I have such fond memories of S.D. I never made it over to Coronado. Great video.

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! If you ever get back you should definitely check out Coronado.

@toddtouchberry 2 жыл бұрын

Nice video!

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. We appreciate it.

@ginoperretta373 2 жыл бұрын

before they filled in "spanish bight" a part of coronado was a real island at high tide

@u4riahsc 2 жыл бұрын

My father worked at North Island and took the vehicle ferry every day, long before the bay bridge. The only other way to get to Coronado was to go all the way around through the Silver Strand beach.

@danhester4408 2 жыл бұрын

This is really cool. I'm moving to San Diego next month, so I am really excited about exploring the area. I've only been to Coronado once, and I just drove down the main drag late at night, so I don't really remember much aside from how nice it seemed. Is there parking near the Broadway Pier in San Diego? I'm starting to think my first major purchase after a couple of paychecks should be a bicycle.

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

There is plenty of parking near Broadway Pier, but its all paid parking in that area. It looked like the parking at the Ferry Landing in Coronado was free though.

@jackallen6261 8 ай бұрын

That price is CRAZY CHEAP! I didn't think you could buy anything In San Diego for 7 dollars! lol.. Let alone a ferry ride! That is very cool!

@jacquecaeser9078 Жыл бұрын

Great channel!

@SomeplaceOrAnother 2 жыл бұрын

Neat ferry ride. Cool 😎 that it’s so old

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, surprising it's still around for sure.

@yamforayam4709 2 жыл бұрын

my dad just sent me this video, I think we might be going on it soon lol

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

Have fun!

@pattty008 3 ай бұрын

I'm from Coronado and I didn't know about that law, the ferry had to stop working because of the toll on the bridge I do remember stopping and paying .60 cents each way traveling on the bridge. Then it went to $1.20 paying one way. It was easier buying a book of tickets. Then when the bridge was paid off, don't be fooled, they still collected your money, for a long time after. Why stop CA govt. Says. More money keep it coming, we'll just say it's for bridge maintainance n such.

@hayu187 Жыл бұрын

I spent most of my life in Coronado and the ferry was practically part of my day to day. I would make liberal use of the fact that they didn't charge commuters if you caught it before 8:00 AM

@RevMikeBlack Жыл бұрын

Considering California prices, that IS a good deal.

@Moondoggy1941 11 ай бұрын

Go before it is too late, go to Balboa Beach and ride the the little ferry, the state will be forcing it to close due to have the type of engines they use.

@lovescoffee9780 2 жыл бұрын

I remember tbe ferry when it was a raft. Ps your car was on the raft

@Matty002 4 ай бұрын

when we moved to SD i learned about the ferry because when i looked up ways to get there besides the bridge, and the silver strand road also popped up turns out coronado is a fake island 🙃