Is there parking at Clayton's in Coronado?

Clayton's is located on Orange Ave in Coronado with street parking available nearby. Given the spot's popularity, especially during weekend brunch, arriving early or planning for a short walk from your car is smart.

Do I need a reservation, or can I just walk in?

Clayton's operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Weekend brunch can draw 30-minute waits, so arrive early if you're going Saturday or Sunday, or come during weekday lunch or dinner for a faster experience.

Is Clayton's good for kids?

Yes—it's a neighborhood staple in Coronado that's very welcoming to families. Large portions work well for sharing, and the casual diner vibe means you don't have to worry about keeping kids quiet.

Clayton's has outdoor seating where dogs are welcome, so you can enjoy a meal on the patio with your pup.

Start with the burger or the fried chicken sandwich—both are standouts. The chilaquiles and breakfast items (served all day) are also solid choices, and the milkshakes are genuinely excellent. Portions are generous and shareable.

Does Clayton's accommodate dietary restrictions?

As a classic diner spot, Clayton's serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a range of options. Call ahead to confirm specific accommodations for vegan, gluten-free, or other dietary needs.

What's the vibe like?

It's a genuine local joint with real history—the original coffee shop opened in 1938. Expect a casual, welcoming atmosphere where both tourists and Coronado regulars come for solid comfort food and good coffee.

What's the dress code?

None—it's a casual diner. Come as you are, whether you're in beach clothes or a quick lunch break.

Clayton's Coffee Shop — San Diego

“Clayton's has occupied this corner of Orange Avenue since 1938, serving breakfast all day to Navy families and bridge traffic with zero concessions to trends.”

Where MooTime makes waffle cones fresh to impress tourists, Clayton's runs a jukebox and serves chicken-fried steak because that's what a diner does. The formula hasn't changed in decades: red vinyl booths, laminated menus highlighting the "Country" breakfast options in blue, milkshakes so thick the server at the next table will tell you they're the best they've ever had. It's the kind of place where your server might have worked here twenty years, where locals bring their kids who then bring their kids.

The all-day breakfast is the anchor — huge portions built for sharing or for appetite earned on a long run down the Silver Strand. Chilaquiles show up next to perfectly cooked burgers on the same ticket. The fried chicken sandwich comes with a pile of fries and that old-diner satisfaction of food that doesn't try to be anything other than what it is. Some reviews complain about frozen chicken; others swear by the execution. That's diner roulette.

Expect a wait on weekends — twenty to thirty minutes isn't unusual, especially near the ferry landing's foot traffic. Both indoor booths and outdoor tables available, and the patio takes dogs. The jukebox still works, playing into that time-capsule feeling that Coronado does better than most places.

Come here because you want a diner that's actually old, not themed to look old. Come here because your dad remembers eating here on liberty in the eighties. Come here because sometimes you just want eggs and hash browns without someone trying to reinvent them.