Living near NAS North Island and Naval Amphibious Base Coronado

NAS North Island and Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Coronado both sit on the Coronado peninsula, which is reached two ways: the Coronado bridge from downtown, or the Silver Strand from Imperial Beach. Where you live decides which of those you'll fight every morning. This guide covers five areas families on PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders pick, plus the bridge, the ferry question and on-base housing. Rents use HUD's FY2027 benchmarks so you can compare them with your BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing).

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Leaflet | © OpenStreetMap contributors

Base

1. 1NAS North Island main gate — Third St and Alameda Blvd
2. 2Naval Amphibious Base Coronado — Tarawa Rd gate off Orange Ave
3. 3Silver Strand II (Navy family housing) — Liberty Military Housing, E1-E6

Coronado

1. 4Coronado Public Library — Center of Coronado village
2. 5Coronado Ferry Landing — Flagship ferry to Broadway Pier

South Bay

1. 6Imperial Beach Pier — Center of Imperial Beach
2. 7Chula Vista Civic Center Library — Center of western Chula Vista

Point Loma / OB

1. 8Liberty Station — Point Loma landmark
2. 9Ocean Beach, foot of Newport Ave — Center of Ocean Beach

Downtown

1. 10Broadway Pier — Ferry to Coronado
2. 11Petco Park — Downtown landmark, East Village

Pins are approximate. Base pins use published addresses; each neighborhood pin is a well-known central landmark (library, pier, park or stadium), not a housing area. Sources: Military OneSource, Flagship Cruises, Liberty Military Housing, checked October 5, 2026.

See these on the full San Diego map

The bridge and the gate line

The San Diego-Coronado Bridge is 2.1 miles with its approaches and has been free since June 27, 2002. A barrier-moving machine shifts the middle lane toward whichever direction is busier. Once over, traffic to North Island runs west on Third Street and back east on Fourth Street (State Route 282) through a residential neighborhood. In 2023 an average of 85,946 vehicles a day entered or left Coronado, per the city's traffic report. A 2009 Coronado estimate reported by KPBS put more than 60% of bridge rush-hour traffic as North Island-bound, and it rises when carriers are in port. Is there a toll on the Coronado bridge?

Is there a Navy ferry?

We could not find a Navy-run commuter ferry to North Island in operation; base pages from Military OneSource and the Naval Air Forces directions page describe access by the bridge only. The ferry that does exist is the public Flagship ferry from Broadway Pier (990 N Harbor Dr) to the Coronado Ferry Landing (1201 1st St). Flagship adds six fare-free weekday departures between 4:50 and 8:30 a.m. for locals and the military community; the regular fare is $9. From the Ferry Landing you still need a bike, bus or ride to the gate. MTS Route 901 also serves a NASNI transit center from downtown.

1. Coronado itself

The shortest commute by far: North Island's gate is at the edge of the village, and NAB is down Orange Ave toward the Strand. Kids go to Coronado Unified, a single small district. Drawback: cost. ZIP 92118's 2-bedroom FMR is $4,230, the top of the county's range, and the 3-bedroom is $5,610. Coronado neighborhood page.

2. Imperial Beach

IB is the budget coastal pick: about 7 miles south of NAB Coronado and about 10 from North Island, along the Silver Strand (State Route 75). That route skips the bridge entirely, which is the main appeal. The 2-bedroom FMR is $2,590 in 91932. Schools are South Bay Union School District, then Sweetwater Union HSD. Imperial Beach neighborhood page.

3. Chula Vista

Western Chula Vista is about 10 miles from North Island by road, with a 2-bedroom FMR of $2,590 in 91910. It works best if one spouse works at 32nd Street or in the South Bay. You can reach Coronado via the Strand through IB or via I-5 and the bridge. Schools are Chula Vista Elementary and Sweetwater Union HSD. Drawback: whichever way you go, it's a daily crossing. Western Chula Vista.

4. Point Loma and Ocean Beach

Popular with Navy families for the coastal feel and San Diego Unified schools. Point Loma (92106) has a 2-bedroom FMR of $2,930; Ocean Beach (92107) is $3,170. Ocean Beach is about 12 miles from North Island by road, because you drive around the bay and over the bridge. Drawbacks: the bridge commute, and San Diego International Airport departures fly over parts of Point Loma. Good if a spouse works at Naval Base Point Loma or MCRD. Point Loma, Ocean Beach.

5. Downtown

About 5 miles from North Island by road, with the ferry option from Broadway Pier. The 92101 2-bedroom FMR is $4,090, nearly Coronado money, so downtown makes most sense for single sailors or couples who want a car-light life. Schools are San Diego Unified. Downtown.

Related: Where military families live in San Diego, Living near Naval Base San Diego, and Where to park for Coronado Beach for when family visits.