Connecting the two miles that separate San Diego from Coronado Island is the Coronado Bridge, a prominent landmark in San Diego County. Located near the San Diego airport, it is often one of the first sights tourists see and locals recognize as they fly into San Diego. With its striking blue steel and enormous concrete supports, the bridge attracts attention from all who pass by, over, and under.
The bridge measures 2.1 miles long and rises 200 feet over the San Diego Bay to allow boats to pass underneath. To keep views from the bridge unobstructed, the barriers along the side of the bridge are only 32 inches high. Because of this, the bridge has no walkways, shoulders, or bicycle lanes. Sadly, this quirk also increases the occurrences for suicide as more than 200 suicides have occurred over the last 30 years. On a lighter note, runners get their chance to cross the bridge in the annual Navy Run, and cyclists can ride over the bridge in the annual Bike the Bay event.
Driving over the Coronado Bridge you'll see the entire coast of San Diego from 200 feet above the water. The short commute from San Diego to Coronado is free, so make sure to include a quick drive over the bridge to the quaint island of Coronado as part of your trip to San Diego.
