On the bay side of the island, First Street faces slightly northeast toward downtown San Diego, and the homes that sit directly on the water have the skyline, the bay and the bridge in one view.
- The feel
- Scenic and a little more public, with the ferry, parks and restaurants nearby.
- The 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 the cafes; the ferry crosses to downtown.
- Ask before you buy
- Flood and sea-level exposure, seawall condition, view protection and visitor activity.
A day here
This stretch is close to the Ferry Landing, Centennial Park and the restaurants along First Street, so residents can walk to brunch or catch the ferry across the bay. The view changes with the weather and the light, and the downtown skyline is lit at night. It is a more public setting than a quiet inland street, with joggers, cyclists and visitors on the path.
The homes
Local reporting counts only about 30 single-family homes on First Street west of Centennial Park with that front-row view, and the other side of the street is mostly multifamily buildings. That scarcity is part of why these addresses are priced as individual properties rather than in tracts. Condominium buildings at the Ferry Landing end offer a version of the same view without a house to maintain.
Ask before you buy
- Bay exposure. Ask for the flood zone, an elevation certificate and insurance quotes before you commit.
- Seawalls and docks. Waterfront structures need their own inspection.
- The view. Ask what rules limit building on neighboring lots.
- Foot traffic. Visit on a summer weekend to see how busy the path can be.
For the ferry and the bridge, see Rudy's note on getting on and off the island.
Source: San Diego Business Journal, First Street bayfront homes.
More Coronado neighborhoods
- The Village — Orange Avenue, Spreckels Park and the cottage streets around them, the most walkable part of the island.
- Coronado Shores — Ten condominium towers on Avenida del Mundo with the beach at the front door.
- Coronado Cays — Ten villages wound around inlets, with more than 600 boat slips in San Diego Bay.
- Country Club Estates — The residential streets on the northwest side of the island that grew up on the old Coronado Country Club grounds.
- Golf Course and Marina Homes — Homes beside the municipal golf course and Glorietta Bay, with boats and fairways in the view.
General information only. Boundaries are informal and details change, so confirm specifics for any property you consider.