The Historic Coronado Boathouse is one of the island's oldest and most treasured landmarks, standing on the shores of Glorietta Bay since 1887. Built as a "practice project" before construction began on the nearby Hotel del Coronado, the Boathouse quickly became a popular gathering place where hotel guests enjoyed picnics, boating, swimming, and other waterfront activities. A resident boathouse keeper maintained the facility and helped oversee its daily operations.

Throughout its history, the Boathouse has played many important roles. In 1903, pioneering marine biologist William Emerson Ritter, who later co-founded the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, conducted marine biology research from the building. It also served as the first headquarters of the Coronado Yacht Club in 1912 and was later home to the San Diego Yacht Club during the 1920s.

In 1967, the Boathouse was carefully relocated closer to shore, restored, and adapted for use as a waterfront restaurant. Recognized as a Coronado Historic Landmark in 1973, the building continues to stand as a symbol of the island's rich maritime heritage. Today, the Historic Coronado Boathouse remains a beloved waterfront icon, connecting visitors with more than a century of Coronado's boating, scientific, and coastal history.