Coronado Bridge

One of San Diego’s major landmarks, the Coronado Bridge is an award—winning example of the city’s dedication to both aesthetic appeal and urban progress. The enormous blue and white bridge was inaugurated in 1969, and it interchanges and turns into Route 75 in Coronado. Named “Most Beautiful Bridge” by the American Institute of Steel Construction in 1970, the Coronado Bridge measures 11,179 feet long, or just over two miles. While there used to be a bridge toll, the Coronado Bridge is now free to cross.

Award Winning Innovation and Bridge Design

The bridge is constructed out of 94 cubic yards of pre—stretched concrete and 7,000 tons of steel, and it contains more than one marvel of engineering; the bridge is slightly curved so that all U.S. Navy ships could pass underneath, while allowing cars and trucks to safely ascend and descend the bridge. Coronado Bridge is part of California State Highway 75.

It contains two eastbound lanes, two westbound and a reversible middle lane. The bridge was designed for motor vehicle traffic, so there are no pedestrian or bike lanes. However, once a year cyclists can ride across the bridge in the Bike the Bay event. If you are lucky enough to be the passenger instead of the driver when you are crossing the bridge, be sure to bring a camera: there are great views from every direction!

Largest Collection of Chicano Art Murals

The Coronado Bridge is elaborated with hundreds of colorful Chicano art murals. Inspired as an answer to a 1970s community uprising, artist Salvador Torres posed the idea of using the freeway pillars and the bridge as an urban canvas for Chicano art. Some now—famous artists, such as Victor Ochoa and Jose Montoya, helped beautify San Diego’s urban landscape with their murals in this inspiring, unusual public art project.