It may be possible to live in San Diego and never visit the beach, but why on earth would anyone want to? And the very best beach, at least according to residents and the Travel Channel, is on Coronado Island.

The beaches of Coronado Island (technically a peninsula; a narrow isthmus connects it to the mainland) can be reached by ferry, or a car trip across the Bay Bridge from downtown San Diego. The first thing you’ll notice is the Hotel Del Coronado, known to locals as the Del. This legendary hotel, built in 1888, is a National Historic Landmark, and is the only hotel in San Diego that’s truly a beachfront hotel.

When you’re getting ready to go, pack a tote like this large, stylish, green plaid number from Oakley. Choose a new two piece, like this one from Hurley with a sweetheart top and a boyshort bottom, both in black with a blue trim and edging. Match them up with these jelly, and jellyfish patterned, flip-flops by Kate Spade , to keep your feet from burning on that white sand! If you’re visiting Coronado, it’s time for a new beach towel, so why not go all out and get this palm tree towel from Tommy Bahama?

One of the most justifiably popular strips of beach is the North, Central, and South Beach. North Beach begins at Sunset Park next to North Island, and stretches from there to the intersection of G Street and Ocean Boulevard. There it becomes Central Beach, all the way to a line of palm trees that marks South Beach, right in front of the Del. There are lifeguards on duty, and on North Beach you can bring your dog. There are plenty of opportunities for surfing, windsailing, or boating from this beautiful strip of white sand, or you can choose to just soak up the sun and listen to the waves and the seagulls.

When the sun is ready to go down, throw on a cover-up and go up to the Del to have a drink on the boardwalk and watch the sunset.