Coronado

The Coronado Bridge has always been a famous San Diego landmark, a final touch on the picturesque view of the San Diego Bay.The Coronado Bridge has always been a famous San Diego landmark, a final touch on the picturesque view of the San Diego Bay.

But much like a rainbow, it’s on the other end of the bridge where the true pot of gold.

Coronado Island has perfected its combination of recreation and leisure. Though not a true “island”, Coronado exudes a small island-town feel with its tree-lined streets and Victorian homes that display some of the most well-maintained lawns and exquisite gardens anywhere.

As a visitor, you would never know you were only minutes away from Downtown San Diego and all the hustle and bustle and city-life excitement.

With 15 miles of dedicated bike paths winding though the city, 19 tennis courts, over 50 acres of parks, and a stretch of sandy beach that extends as far as the eye can see, Coronado is truly an outdoor lover’s paradise.

Spreckels Park, donated and named after one of Coronado’s city fathers J.D. Spreckels in 1927, hosts the Summer Concert Series that runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day and the Annual Flower Show in April. Every first and third Sunday of the month, come out and peruse or purchase any of the masterpieces from over 50 featured artists at Spreckel’s year-round Art-in-the-Park event.

Beach goers can spend the day at either Coronado City Beach or Silver Strand State Beach, both great for swimming, or sunbathing. Even four-legged friends have a beach to call their own, Coronado Dog Beach. Catching the postcard-worthy sunsets from any of these beaches is a must.

Enjoy a Ferry Ride or Dinner Cruise on the bay, or just cruise around the Old Ferry Landing Marketplace. The Marketplace has over 30 shops, restaurants, and art galleries, all with great views of the bay and downtown. Home of the weekly Farmer’s Market, the Landing is also known to host a variety of street entertainers that add a touch of spontaneity and liveliness to the mix.

Wandering and exploring scenic Coronado is just as impressive as wandering into and exploring the dozens of boutiques, antiques, and mom-and-pop shops that line Orange Avenue, downtown Coronado’s main drag. These shops offer unique merchandise and art that make for perfect travel souvenirs, home accents, or ways to fill empty wall space. And when hunger hits, there is no shortage of delectable restaurants that will settle the appetite and please the palate.

Coronado Boathouse 1887 offers gourmet steak and seafood menu selections as well as incredible views of the bay, marina, and downtown skyline.

This waterfront restaurant was originally built in 1887 as a marine research center and is the birthplace of today’s world renowned Scripps Institute of Oceanography. Deemed a historic landmark in 1973, The Boathouse continues to delight today’s visitors.

Part of the Boathouse’s early success was in part due to its prestigious neighbor, The Hotel Del Coronado. Built one year later, in 1888, The Del quickly became an elite travel destination for celebrities, U.S. presidents, and other world leaders and legends. The hotel has been featured in maany Hollywood movies over the last century and was named America’s number one wedding destination by the Travel Channel. Relax poolside or under a cabana on the sand, visit Shops at The Del, or sip a glass of wine in the Babcock & Story Bar. The historic Crown Room is the perfect setting to enjoy San Diego’s Best Sunday Brunch. Victorian Tea Sundays are also hosted every Sunday in the hotel’s Palm Court.

Fourth of July in Coronado is nothing short of spectacular and offers fun for the whole family. The Independence Day Celebration kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with the Independence Day Parade down Orange Avenue. This year’s parade theme is “America’s Spirit”. Enjoy a free Concert in the Park at 4:00 p.m. at Spreckel’s Park while passing the time before the holiday’s main event, a firework show over Glorietta Bay. Starting at 9:00 p.m., watch the light show from a blanket on the golf course.

There are two live-performance theaters in Coronado. The Coronado Playhouse is featuring Snoopy!!!, The Musical this Summer and bringing Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to life this fall. Including brunch or dinner with the performances truly completes the experience. Lamb’s Players Theater is home to the Southwest’s only year-round acting ensemble. Perhaps best-known for its Festival of Christmas that has been entertaining audiences for over 25 years, other upcoming performances include Amadeus, showing through the end of July, and American Rhythm: A Musical Journey of a Nation, opening July 6.

Coronado has a strong pride in its history and its military roots. This peninsula-shaped land is positioned as a natural sand barrier to San Diego Bay and the harbor. This did not go unnoticed and before long, the United States Navy planted its roots here and Coronado is now home to the North Island Naval Air Station and the elite Navy Seals.

The complete history of the development of Coronado over the last century can be found at one of the four galleries featured at Coronado’s Museum of History and Art. Each gallery portrays a specific aspect of Coronado’s past, including the city’s early beginnings, military influences on the island, history of The Hotel Del and the Tent City that operated in the early 1900s, and other traveling exhibits.

So whether it’s exploring the natural or man-made beauties of the island that tickle your fancy, Coronado is a great get-away spot where you can truly feel like you are on your own island.