Little Sam’s Island & Beach Fun

If Unilocal offered a six-​star rating, I’d give one to Little Sam. He was awesome. I went in there last month to rent a bike. When I told him that I was riding down on the Strand, he first said that there were a lot of thorns on the pathway. Then he said not to worry about it, and to give him a call if I got a flat. Sure enough, I encountered swarms of thorns and ended up with two flat tires. I called him and he was there with his pickup truck within minutes. He gave me another rental and didn’t charge me for all the punctures. All the while, he was one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met, and even blamed himself for my stupidity! I’d rent a bike from Little Sam even if I didn’t know how to ride a bike!

Being from the East coast, I was up very early in the morning. Sam’s wasn’t scheduled to be open until 9:00, but at 7:00, he was there and let me in. I rented a true classic beach cruiser. It was like a locals bike without any tourist fenders or baskets. Sam adjusted the seat and the handle bars exactly like I like them. He also added a lock so I would have no worries as I cruised around Coronado. He even offered some tips on cool places to ride in the area. Knowing that I would be up super early the next morning as well, I called Sam later in the day and he let me keep the bike overnight. Prices were reasonable, and the cruiser was awesome.

Laid back, quick, and friendly service. Just seven bucks an hour to rent a cruiser.
We took a quick spin around the Coronado perimeter trail.

The guy there was super helpful! Day after thanksgiving a bunch of surf shops were closed, but Little Sam’s rented out a board and wetsuit for half the day at a great place. It was super laid back and a great experience; fastest rental process I’ve ever gone through.

While waiting for our table at Miguel’s, which is behind Sam’s, my 7 year old wandered in to Sam’s. He purchase a $ 5.00 shovel and walked back outside. I immediately had him go back in to return his purchase, as he did so without asking. He came back out with his head hanging low and without the shovel. I asked what happened and he welled up. I walked back in and explained to the young kid working the counter, that my son shouldn’t have purchased the shovel and asked for a refund.
Now the kid says sorry, no refunds only exchanges, I already told your son. I tried to explain the situation and asked for him to be reasonable without success. My son walked out and back in to your shop in less than a minute. He made a mistake and shouldn’t have made the purchase without asking permission.
«Sorry man, No Refunds. I sell stuff to younger kids all the time.
By the way, the kid at the counter didn’t give my son his change, a receipt, or the shovel back when he tried to return it.
Now I get the no refund policies at trinket shops living off of tourists, but this was ridiculous. Too many other shops on the Island to deal with this type of low life.
DON“T BY FROM SAM’S!!!

My friend and I wanted a «Girl’s Day» in Coronado so we went for lunch and walked around in search of bikes for rent. We were pleasantly surprised when we found Little Sam’s. It was so refreshing to be helped by a clerk who was NOT grunting at us while engaged in his cell phone! He was so super polite, friendly and helpful to us that we both mentioned it when we got on the road with our bikes.
The bikes were a bit old but they worked great. We will definitely go there again.

My roommate and I were walking around Coronado and decided to rent bikes. We walked in and the guy working there was soooo nice. The price for the bikes were amazing. We are 100% going back when we are over on the island.

Really enjoyed our bike day! We listened to the man behind the counter and got them for the half-​day instead of by the hour. He gave us a basket for our stuff and a map, and told us fun things to do around the island and the times for the ferry.
This was probably our best day here. The weather was perfect, the bikes were the absolute best way to get around, and we ran into many other bikers along the way. We were not offered helmets (I didn’t ask either, I forgot at the time and was talked out of going back for some), and the bikes showed some wear, but they definitely served their purpose. We saw a lot on the island we otherwise wouldn’t have been aware of: the ferry landing, the beautiful houses, the Navy base, went by the bay, there was just something new every mile. Our only issue was that when we went to return the bikes, the store was open but the guy was nowhere to be seen. We didn’t want to just leave the bikes lest something happen and we would be at fault, so we waited about 20 min for him to return. He apologized profusely for being gone, but it was still an inconvenience for us. If you’re looking for something fun to do in Coronado for a day, definitely hit up Little Sam’s! (They also rented a lot more than bikes, so if you’re heading to the ocean, check them out for equipment too!)

We were too lazy to walk to Holland’s bike from the Del and saw that they rented bikes here at Sam’s. Prices were about the same as Holland’s although I have a feeling the bikes at Holland’s would have been shinier and new. We didn’t mind the condition of the bikes we rented they served our purposes just fine.
The guy working there was really friendly and outfitted one of our bikes with a basket to hold my friends handbag. He gave us a map and suggested that we stop off at the Coronado Farmers Market since it was Tuesday and we had timed it perfectly. Appreciated that insider info. He pointed us in the right direction and told us to take our time. We paid for 2 hours but he gave us an extra hour. It takes about an hour to get around the island but take your time and enjoy the stunning sd skyline views and gorgeous sandy beach. He also told us to stay off the beach with our bikes as that will result in fines. Good To Know!

It’s fine for what it is. Bike rentals are $ 6 /​hour, and you really only need an hour or two to cruise the island. It’s good for that, it’s not so good if you want a bike all day to use as your primary transportation.
The bikes weren’t so great. How old are these things? They look like they’re vintage from the 70s or the 80s. They’re a little rusty, the tires need more air, and they’re badly in need of a tune up. The bikes also don’t come with helmets, bells, lights, or safety equipment of any kind. I didn’t get a lock either, maybe I could have if I’d asked for one, but I was already on the other side of the island when I realized it.
I really wanted to ride on the Bay Shore Bikeway (I didn’t know that’s what it was called at the time). I asked the guy running the shop how to get down to the trail. «What trail? It’s a residential island man. Just stay to the right, it’s like riding in any suburb». Not helpful… never could figure out how to get to the Bikeway either.

rented bikes there today with a group and it was just INCREDIBLE… Great service, and price.

Can’t go wrong here, 12 dollars for an hour ride around Coronado. Good service, decent bikes.

Don’t consider anywhere else for bike and beach rentals on Coronado Island. We were here for a long weekend vacation with our 6 year old little boy and he couldn’t stop talking about renting a bike. Thanks to the sue happy nature of our country no one rents kids bikes but when we went to SAMs he actually closed his shop and went to get his little boys bike so we could use it. It was amazing to find someone that actually cared and wanted to help. It made our day and we appreciated it beyond words. Thanks so much!

We came here after reading the stellar reviews and I am so happy we did.
The first place we went to that said they had cruisers didn’t, so we were looking for somewhere to rent some cruisers for the afternoon. I found this place and Unilocal and we were off.
The service here was great and very friendly. He told us where to go and what to check out.
The prices were also great. The price was $ 6 an hour and we got a deal for 2 hours for $ 10. They were also nice enough to give my friends baskets for their purses.
Very happy with the service and the price. If you are looking for a good bike rental check this place out.

Rented 3 beach cruisers from Little Sam’s…paid for an hour and they gave us 1.5!
Quick, easy, friendly, and CHEAP!

Great prices for bike rentals –$ 6/​hour

My boyfriend and I rented beach cruisers here last weekend. We were going to do PB but we didn’t want to have to dodge a ton of people. Little Sam’s was the least expensive of the places to rent on the island. The rental even included a basket and lock for the bike.

Little Sams is a strong staple of the Coronado Beach Community Lifestyle. The store has been in business since sometime around 1993, and the current owner has been in control since 1996.
Rentals: Beach Cruisers, Tandems, Skates, Surfboards, Bodyboards, skim boards, and other beach stuff!
Prices have to be the lowest on the island and completely blow away the prices of the snobby Hotel Del across the Street! Take the walk away from the beach and experience some local flavor.
The store also stocks a wide variety of T-​Shirts featuring funny local sayings and great artwork. Beach Accessories are also for sale along with the rentals.
Try and come during the morning hours when the owner «Little Sam» is in. A Crazy wild guy from New York, who has now made his home on the Beach Island of Coronado. No doubt he will give you a laugh, or at least have you scratching your head as you leave the place.
Open everyday of the year, Little Sam’s never ceases to amaze me with the awesome small town charm. A business that will hopefully contribute to the island for a long time!