Silver Strand

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=654 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Strand_(San_Diego) Silver Strand, or simply The Strand, is a low, narrow, sandy isthmus or tombolo 7 miles (11 km) long in San Diego County, California partially within the Silver Strand State Beach. It connects Coronado Island with Imperial Beach. Together with the Point Loma peninsula it shelters and defines San Diego Bay. State highway 75 runs the length of the strand and is a popular site for jogging and bicycling. The Silver Strand Half Marathon is run along the route each November. Silver Strand State Beach, which encompasses both the San Diego Bay and Pacific Ocean sides of the strand, is a little farther off the beaten path of the highly popular beaches in Ocean Beach and Mission Beach, offering more solitude for those who wish to avoid beach crowds. The ocean side of the strand features 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of coastline trimmed with silver shells (thus named 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 

Silver Strand State Beach 5000 Highway 75 • Coronado, CA 92118 • (619) 435-5184 Silver Strand State Beach features extensive stretches of beach on both the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay. Combined with the area’s mild climate, the beaches make Silver Strand one of the area’s finest recreation destinations for camping, swimming, surfing, kiteboarding, volleyball, picnicking and fishing. OVERNIGHT CAMPING: Self-contained vehicles only (one that has the capacity to hold wastewater in tanks). Minimum requirement is a built-in sink with an enclosed drain system and a portable toilet with holding tanks. Tent camping is not allowed. Campers and their pets may not sleep outside their vehicle. OCCUPANCY: Each campsite may have up to eight persons (including children). VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS: Fees include one registered, self-contained vehicle, plus one legally towed or towing vehicle. Towed vehicles must be verified by park staff before they are unhitched in order to be issued a pass. For an additional fee, each site is allowed one extra vehicle if it fits within the lines of the campsite. All vehicles must park in the campsite where they are registered. Towed, towing and extra vehicles must each display a parking pass in the windshield. All vehicles must be parked fully within the limit lines of your campsite. Campsites cannot be used for the purpose of parking non-self-contained vehicles. PARKING: Trailers must be backed into designated campsites, so the hitch is easily accessible from the main road. All self-contained vehicles must park parallel to the white lines of the campsite. SANITATION: Do not deposit waste, water or sewage directly upon or into the surface of the ground, pavement, sand, or water. Leaking of any liquids or waste materials, including water, outdoor showers, and ice chests is not allowed. Outdoor showers are available next to the restrooms. DUMP STATION: A dump station is located at the south end of the campground. It shall only be used for servicing wastewater holding tanks. No washing or rinsing of vehicles or other items is allowed. (Dump station is for registered campers only). FIRES: Beach fires must be in designated concrete fire rings only. Portable fire containers are not allowed on the sand. Portable fire containers in campsites must be elevated six inches or more above the pavement. Fires must be monitored and maintained in a safe condition at all times. Coals or ashes must be deposited in a “Hot Coals” container (located next to dumpsters) or a fire ring. Hot coals and fires should be doused with water, not sand. PETS: Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under human control at all times. They are not allowed on the beach or bayside area of the park. Pets are not allowed to sleep outside overnight. Noisy, aggressive pets must be controlled immediately. Owners must pick up after their pets. QUIET HOURS are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Generators may only be operated between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. To ensure peace and adequate rest for all visitors, no person shall use outside machinery or electronic equipment at a volume that is likely to disturb others in the campground. RE-REGISTRATION: Campers who wish to re-register for another night must contact the campground kiosk before 12 noon on the day they are due out. Site availability is not assured. PARK CLOSURE HOURS: The park entrance gate is locked overnight. Contact the park for the current gate hours. EMERGENCIES AFTER THE PARK IS CLOSED: Call 911 and also contact the camp host. The camp host has access to the dispatch center 24 hours a day. Camp hosts are located in the center of the campground next to the kiosk. CHECKOUT TIME is 12 noon. No exceptions. Discover the many states of California.TM CAMPING RESERVATIONS: You may make camping reservations by calling (800) 444-7275 (TTY 800-274-7275). To make online reservations, visit our website at www.parks.ca.gov ALTERNATE FORMAT: This publication can be made available in alternate formats. Contact interp@parks.ca.gov or call (916) 654-2249. © 2013 California State Parks Silver Strand State Beach LEGEND Restroom 235 136 234 334 427 135 233 333 426 134 232 332 425 133 231 331 424 428 Camp Host Site Sanitation Station 132 230 330 423 Information Parking Trash 131 229 329 422 Picnic Area Water Filling Station 130 228 328 421 420 127 327 227 acce 326 226 ss 325 225 126 224 324 125 223 323 124 222 322 418 123 221 321 417 122 220 320 416 219 319 415 120 218 318 414 119 217 317 413 118 CH 316 412 117 CH 116 CH 115 CH CH COR ONA DO 121 Pacific Pac ific Oce an Ocean acce 211 ss ONA DO r Str 112 210 310 111 209 309 110 208 308 409 109 207 307 408 108 206 306 107 205 305 106 204 304 203 Natu 104 e s er ve r a l Pr 103 102 303 302 202 301 407 406 405 404 403 402 401 201 101 9-1-1. Maps not to scale Park Road Park Road and 105 75 Silver Strand