Silver Strand

Our Mission Silver Strand State Beach The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Named for the delicate tracery of tiny, silvery seashells that line its white sands, the strand offers stunning views of both California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (619) 435-5184. This publication can be made available in alternate formats. Contact interp@parks.ca.gov or call (916) 654-2249. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™ Silver Strand State Beach 5000 Highway 75 Coronado, CA 92118 (619) 435-5184 © 2006 California State Parks (Rev. 2014) gentle San Diego Bay and the more turbulent ocean surf. S ilver Strand These groups were State Beach, hunter-gatherers who also though only about processed acorns from 15 minutes south several species of oaks for of downtown nourishment. They obtained San Diego, has some foods and obsidian by a rather wild, trading with native groups solitary beauty. to the east, and the Tipai The generally people quickly learned to flat beach of this incorporate Spanish crops, coastal strand A typical day at Silver Strand State Beach livestock and tools into area, a sand spit their way of life. that connects Coronado with Imperial Beach, The arrival of Europeans and Americans stretches for miles. Views from the level ended the native people’s way of life. of the beach or alongside San Diego Bay Access to traditional lands and sources of include Coronado Island, Point Loma, the food was soon restricted or totally lost to Coronado Bridge and the Naval shipyards. them. Over ensuing years some Indians were The weather at Silver Strand is “relocated” to several inland reservations characterized by warm, dry summers and established around 1875, but thousands cool winters. Summer fog is part of the more died from European-introduced Mediterranean climate here. Extremes of diseases to which they had no immunity. heat or cold are rare, with average maximum Today’s Kumeyaay Nation  —  extending temperatures ranging from near 65 degrees from San Diego and Imperial Counties to in January to nearly 78 degrees in August. 60 miles south of the California-Mexico border  —  shares their ancestral heritage PARK HISTORY through community outreach and education. Native People The Strand It is believed that humans first came to the The Spanish and Mexicans in San Diego San Diego coast as far back as 20,000 years, had little interest in the narrow strip of sand and to inland areas about 12,000 years ago. between what they called “San Diego Island” The native people were known by many names, some bestowed by the Europeans, who called them Diegueños or Mission Silver Strand’s Indians. The names preferred by the people east-facing themselves included Kumeyaay (the inland beaches offer group), Ipai (the northern group), and Tipai stunning views of (the southern group). San Diego Bay. (Coronado Island) and the mainland, and in 1846 Pedro C. Carrillo received it as part of a land grant. In 1885 its resort potential was first noted. E.S. Babcock and H.L. Story bought the land, established the Coronado Beach Company, and built a road and a rail line over the peninsula. Three years later, Babcock and Story sold the land to John D. and Adolph B. Spreckels. In 1931 the Spreckels holding companies presented 42 acres of the peninsula between the U.S. Naval Amphibian Base and the U.S. Naval Communication Station to the State Park Commission, establishing Silver Strand Beach State Park (now Silver Strand State Beach). Natural History The type of vegetation here is called coastal strand, though much of it has disappeared due to development. Coastal strand consists of bare, wind- and spray-whipped sand and an inland section with only sparse growth. East of this area, along the highway, scattered vegetation includes golden bush, lemonadeberry and sage. Coastal strand habitat is home to Brandt’s cormorants, gulls, terns, sanderlings and loons. The ocean beach and the bay mudflats are rich feeding areas for shorebirds and other water-oriented birds. Beachfront RV camping is very popular. The southern end of the bay is a perfect bird-watching area; hundreds of thousands of birds feed, nest or just rest up here for the next leg of their migrations. Offshore, California sea lions and an occasional school of porpoises may be seen. On the strand, mammals include striped skunks, brush rabbits and California ground squirrels. Worms, bivalves and sand crabs are among beach species. Swimming/Sailing  —  The calmer and slightly warmer water in the bay is ideal for swimming and sailing. Kiteboarding  —  The wind speed here is higher than at other San Diego area beaches. Intermediate to advanced kiteboarders find the best riding from October to January. Kiteboarding is permitted only at parking lot #1   — the southernmost open parking lot — downwind of people on the beach or in the water, and north of the Silver Strand Natural Preserve. Picnicking  —  Ramadas and tables are available at the beach and bay side picnic areas, with fire rings on the beach during summer. Pedestrian tunnels under the freeway allow access to the bay side picnic area and views of San Diego Bay. Aquatic Center  —  On the bay side of the beach, Crown Cove Aquatic Center is a collaborative effort between California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways and Southwestern Community College. See the Center’s aquatic and safety-related class list at www.swccd.edu/index. aspx?page=105 RECREATION RV Camping  —  Campsites can be reserved year round by calling (800) 444-7275 or visiting www.parks.ca.gov. All RV campsites have water and electric hookups. A sanitation station is nearby. Fishing  —  Perch, corbina and yellow-fin croakers are prolific here, and during the summer, spawning grunion may be caught on the sand. Anglers age 16 and over must carry a valid California sport fishing license. Surfing  —  The two miles of beach break with white sandy beaches are best at medium to high tide on a mixed swell. Surfers should stay north or south of the swimming area. Marbled godwit Accessible Features Shaded picnic areas, the restrooms, outdoor rinsing showers, and the paved pedestrian path along the bay are all accessible. Beach wheelchairs may be available for loan. Call (619) 435-0126 or check at the entrance for details. Accessibility is continually improving. For current accessibility details, call the park or visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. Please Remember • The front gate opens year round at 8 a.m. • The gate is always locked for the night. Observe re-entry times on posted signs. • Camping is available for self-contained vehicles only. • Call ahead regarding operating hours, fees and conditions, which can change. • There is a seasonal alcohol ban. Contact the park for details. • Glass bottles are never permitted. • Dogs are allowed only in the parking lots, on a leash no longer than six feet. • Except for service animals, pets are not allowed on the beach, in the tunnels or on the bay side of the park. • Fires are allowed only in designated beach fire rings. • Stingrays sometimes rest atop the sand in the surf zone. To help avoid being stung, shuffle your feet as you wade into the water. Nearby State Parks • Old Town San Diego State Historic Park Taylor and Calhoun Streets San Diego 92110 (619) 220-5422 • Border Field State Park 1500 Monument Road, San Diego 92173 (619) 575-3613 • Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, 300 Caspian Way Imperial Beach 91932 (619) 575-3613 CORONADO Silver Strand CORONADO St at e Beac h 75 Crown Cove San Crown Cove Diego Bay Lot 4 P Bay Legend Lot 3 75 Ranger and Lifeguard Office Pedestrian Tunnel #2 see detail map Parking P Freeway Pedestrian Tunnel #3 P Major Road Picnic Area Paved Road Ranger Station Accessible Path Restrooms Accessible Feature RV Camping Fishing Showers Food Services Surfing Lifeguard Station Swimming P P Park Entrance Lot 2 S I LV E R Mission Bay Park Old Town 163 San Diego San Diego SHP Zoo San Diego Int’l Airport Balboa Park PETCO Park North Island 209 15 NAS Bl El Cajon Ocean Beach Lot 1 75 Coronado National City ay L 805 0 Main St 0.25 Miles 0.2 0.4 Kilometers 8 Kilometers Border Field SP 905 San Ysidro Tijuana USA MEX E 6 5 Miles SERV 4 Imperial Beach PRE 0 Palm Ave Imperial Beach Blvd 3 4 ay 2 adw 0 2 Bro Two miles of beach break are ideal for surfing. 1 Chula Vista 5 Tijuana River NERR 0 CORONADO Pacific Ocean 54 t E S Sweetwater Marsh NWR Pacific Ocean BEACH URA oB Silver Strand SB 75 S TAT E 805 i eg 75 Lemon Grove 94 STRAND N AT Cabrillo NM La Mesa San Diego Co Br ron id ad ge o P 8 vd AND 150 Meters 15 STR 0 805 nD 500 Feet 8 VER Sea World Rd s Sa 0 Friar SIL Pedestrian Tunnel #1 Pacific Ocean 75 P Lighthouse P Diego P Aquatic Center Kiosk San © 2011 California State Parks (Rev. 2014) Map by Eureka Cartography, Berkeley, CA San Diego Bay