A trip to CORONADO by writer Kimberly Cunningham

For anyone living in or visiting the Southern California area, find your way to San Diego and hop the ferry to Coronado. With its year-round, near-perfect weather and quaint island charm, Coronado is the perfect place for a quick getaway. This small beach town offers a plethora of fun restaurants, shops and activities for visitors of all ages.

Please note: You can travel by car. Although Coronado is commonly referred to as an island, it is actually a peninsula, which can be reached via the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge or Highway 75, also known as the Silver Strand. But, if relaxation and sightseeing are the goals, then why not take the scenic route? The Coronado Ferry departs hourly and daily from downtown San Diego, and at just $7.50 per round trip, it offers sweeping views of the city skyline and bay (www.sdhe.com).

Aboard the ferry, climb the stairs to the second level, take a seat and enjoy the 15-minute cruise. The ferry goes past the USS Midway Museum and offers riders a glance at the hull of this massive and historic air carrier. In the distance, you will see the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, arching over the water, connecting downtown San Diego to the small community of Coronado. Also, be sure to check out the Navy ships docked at the Naval Air Station, North Island, which is part of Coronado. Access to the base is limited, so the view from the water is one of the only ways civilians can catch a glimpse of our country’s impressive fleet.

The ferry drops passengers off at the Coronado Ferry Landing, which has a small sandy beach and a cluster of shops and restaurants. Centennial Park lies adjacent to the Ferry Landing and serves as a reminder of the city’s history. Prior to 1969, when the bridge was built, the park was the gateway to the city. Visitors were required to take the ferry and pay the toll here. The park sits at the foot of Orange Avenue, which is the city’s main drag and is filled with shops and restaurants. Orange Avenue leads directly to the world-famous Hotel del Coronado—the town’s crown jewel.

And speaking of “crowns,” Coronado means “the crowned one” in Spanish. It was named after a group of islands off the coast of Baja California, Mexico. Coronado is often called “Crown City” and has played host to various crowned officials, most notably Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor, who met Wallis Simpson while on his visit here. Edward later became King of England and was famously forced to abdicate the thrown when he announced his intent to marry the twice-divorced Simpson.

Coronado is steeped in historical drama and no visit to the island would be complete without a trip to the Hotel del. Orange Avenue is the most direct way to get there, but once again, I suggest the scenic route. Bicycles are available for rent at Bikes & Beyond, which offers beach cruisers, ten-speeds, and tandem and four-person bicycles—also known as surreys (www.hollandsbicycles.com). Or, riders can bring their bikes over on the ferry for free. The ferry has a large and convenient bike rack on its lower level.

Take the bike path that begins at the Ferry Landing. This path takes you down a scenic route along the bay. Riders can bike underneath the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge and continue around the golf course. For the true cyclist, the path goes all the way down the Silver Strand to the City of Imperial Beach. But I suggest riding along the golf course on Glorietta Boulevard and checking out all the beautiful historic homes. Then make a right on Orange Avenue and head for the Hotel del.

Let’s face it: You’ve worked hard. You had to climb the stairs on the ferry. You pedaled your bike for a mere … 15 minutes. And now, it’s time for a cocktail.

Park your bike at the bike rack in the Hotel del’s parking lot near the main entrance on Orange Avenue. Take a minute to take in the beauty of the hotel—the genius of its architectural construction. Be sure to stroll through the lobby and gift shops. Then find your way to Babcock & Story Bar. (Note: Bikes & Beyond will provide customers with a bike lock, which is included in the rental cost.)

Located in the lower level of the Hotel del, Babcock & Story Bar is perhaps one of the finest spots to sip and scene it on Coronado. If you pick your table just right, you’ll be treated to great views of the hotel courtyard AND the Pacific Ocean. It’s a great place to people watch and enjoy a cocktail at sunset. The drinks are pricey, but the setting is worth it. The hotel offers a happy hour menu Sunday thru Thursday, as well as the Daily “Del”ight $10 drink special (www.hoteldel.com).

Because the climate is so nice, visitors can expect beach weather well into the fall. Bring your bathing suit and a towel to enjoy Coronado Central Beach, which extends in front of the Hotel del and along Ocean Boulevard. With its wide stretch of sand and sweeping views, Central Beach has been repeatedly voted one of America’s Best Beaches. Beachgoers can play in the sand in front of the Hotel del, where Marilyn Monroe once frolicked during the filming of Some Like it Hot, or they can work on their tans and watch the Navy’s F-18s fly overhead.

No visit to San Diego is complete without some decent Mexican food. So, for lunch or dinner, I suggest Miguel’s Cocina. It’s located on Orange Avenue, a very walkable distance across the street from the hotel. Try the “white sauce.” It will change your life. Miguel’s and its sister restaurant the Brigantine are also known for their fish tacos and hand-shaken margaritas (www.brigantine.com).

For dessert, hit MooTime. Think Cold Stone, but this is a local favorite. The original location is on Orange Avenue, a few blocks down the street from Miguel’s, and there is a second location in the Hotel del. Try a “Moo Burger”—MooTime’s handcrafted ice cream sandwiched between two freshly baked cookies (www.mootime.com).

At the end of the day, retrieve your bike from the hotel parking lot and head back toward the Ferry Landing. Bicycles are not allowed on Orange Avenue, so take a side street off the main drag, or go back the way you came, which is probably the “safest” route to take. There is lots of traffic on Third and Fourth Streets, which can make crossing difficult and dangerous, but not impossible. (Note: Bikes & Beyond will also provide customers with a map.)

The last ferry departs at 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and at 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. There is plenty of time for a full day of fun, and these are just a few of my favorite spots. Coronado has beautiful parks and tons of great places to dine and shop. During your trip, you must take some time to walk up and down Orange Avenue in the heart of Coronado Village.

And if one day is simply not enough, get a room and stay awhile. I hear there’s a “world-famous hotel” right down the street …

For more information on Kimberly Cunningham and the City of Coronado, please visit coronado.patch.com.