About This Spot
Coronado Island / Silver Strand State Beach, California (USA) is one of the world's premier wind-sports destinations, located in California (USA).
Situated in North America, the spot offers Shallow and Chop and Small waves and Medium waves water conditions, making it ideal for beginners and experienced riders alike.
With W–NW winds, peaking from January to December, Coronado Island / Silver Strand State Beach, California (USA) delivers the kind of sessions that keep riders coming back year after year.
Why Riders Love It
South winds are fickle, W or NW winds are strong and steady and usually start around 11am. The place is a light wind spot so bring your big gear. During summertime thermal winds building up at 11am. Cold fronts are responsible for winds in fall and winter. Most of the times side to sideonshore. Usually best in fall, winter and spring. The strongest winds (18-24 knots) are from November through April, but very infrequent. Maybe only 4 good days per month then. The summer time winds are most consistent, but usually very light and barely rideable (usually 9-11 knots steady). Sometimes, the winds hit 12-14 knots, but rare. The winds usually start early, around 10am on a clear day, and then backoff around 1pm due to the heat. It might 'comeback' around 3pm, but usually only lasts an hour of marginal riding. Just enough to trick you into rigging back up. In the summer time, its best to drive up to the Long Beach area (2 hour drive), or do a trip into Mexico. Wind forecast: local weather reports don't have a clue, so keep this in mind, and ask a local.
When to Go
Generally San Diego is warm and sunny. Water is warm in summer, typically 65-70°F, winter 55-58°F. You will need a fullsuit in winter and a spring suit or trunks in summer. Season is year-round.
What to Expect
Tides vary daily, check tide books. This spot can be ridden on any tide but big high tides are fun because you've got a lot of smooth water inside of the break for upwind cruising. The spot is a wave spot when there's a decent N, NW, W or SW swell running. Can be big. Can be gnarly. Can destroy your kite if you drop it in surf zone. Most of the time it's chest high and perfect for launching and learning to deal with surf.
Wind & Conditions
W · NW
Best wind direction
South winds are fickle, W or NW winds are strong and steady and usually start around 11am. The place is a light wind spot so bring your big gear. During summertime thermal winds building up at 11am. Cold fronts are responsible for winds in fall and winter. Most of the times side to sideonshore. Usually best in fall, winter and spring. The strongest winds (18-24 knots) are from November through April, but very infrequent. Maybe only 4 good days per month then. The summer time winds are most consistent, but usually very light and barely rideable (usually 9-11 knots steady). Sometimes, the winds hit 12-14 knots, but rare. The winds usually start early, around 10am on a clear day, and then backoff around 1pm due to the heat. It might 'comeback' around 3pm, but usually only lasts an hour of marginal riding. Just enough to trick you into rigging back up. In the summer time, its best to drive up to the Long Beach area (2 hour drive), or do a trip into Mexico. Wind forecast: local weather reports don't have a clue, so keep this in mind, and ask a local.
Best Months
Water Conditions
Tides vary daily, check tide books. This spot can be ridden on any tide but big high tides are fun because you've got a lot of smooth water inside of the break for upwind cruising. The spot is a wave spot when there's a decent N, NW, W or SW swell running. Can be big. Can be gnarly. Can destroy your kite if you drop it in surf zone. Most of the time it's chest high and perfect for launching and learning to deal with surf.
Check Conditions
Live Wind Forecast at Coronado Island / Silver Strand State Beach, California (USA)
Check real-time wind conditions before you head out.
Facilities & Access
📍 Getting There
📍Medium walk to the beach
Fly into SD, head to Coronado. Cross the bridge and take a left onto Orange, head south along the strand, get off at the Strand Beach exit. Follow this road for a while until you pass the large Navy obstacle course (on your left). The next exit (a mile or so down the road) leads to the Strand. Exit, turn right, and park in the southernmost open lot. You may have to walk your gear further south to be clear of beach goers. Park and launch south of the southernmost open parking lot. Or park across the street in the Coronado Cays (expensive little housing area) and walk across the highway to the spot.
Location
Coronado Island / Silver Strand State Beach, California (USA)
32.6327°N, -117.1418°E
View on interactive mapTravel Light
Travel Light to Coronado Island / Silver Strand State Beach, California (USA)
Flying with gear? KiteDrop lets you rent premium kite gear at your destination so you can skip checked baggage fees.
Schools at Coronado Island / Silver Strand State Beach, California (USA)
No schools listed yet
Are you a kite or wing school operating at Coronado Island / Silver Strand State Beach, California (USA)?
Be the first school at this spotNearby Spots
California (USA)
J Street Bayside Park, California (USA)
Intermediate · Expert
NW
~3 km away
California (USA)
Imperial Beach, California (USA)
Intermediate · Expert
SW·NW
~6 km away
California (USA)
Enchanted Cove, California (USA)
Beginner · Intermediate · Expert
N·W·WNW
~17 km away
California (USA)
Sail Bay, California (USA)
Intermediate · Expert
S
~19 km away
More Spots in California (USA)
View all California (USA) spots →Need help planning your trip?
Planning a luxury kite trip to Coronado Island / Silver Strand State Beach, California (USA)?
Let Elite Concierge Global handle flights, villas, transfers, and the finer details around your sessions, so you can arrive ready to ride.
Premium travel partner
Explore concierge planning