Coronado, California

Coronado, California is a perfect place to base a southern California vacation. Located across the bay from San Diego, Coronado has many charms that will lure you to the streets lined with Victorian homes and beach cottages. Coronado also has a strong military presence. The entire north end of the island is occupied by the North Island Naval Air Station, site of America's first military flying school. The south end of town is the stomping ground of the Navy SEALs, who train at the Naval Amphibious Base.

When Elisha Babcock gazed out over the wind-blown Coronado peninsula in 1888, he was struck with a vision. He would build a hotel that would be the "talk of the Western World". His dream came to fruition in the form of the Hotel del Coronado, Coronado Island's most visited attraction. This grand Victorian manor has been visited by many famous celebrities and politicians. Marilyn Monroe worked on her tan here. Ronald Reagan and family vacationed here. In fact, 10 U.S. Presidents have spent time visiting the hotel. You can tour the pristinely manicured grounds in front of the hotel, tour the hotel itself for a bird's eye view of some spectacular Victorian furniture, or head out to the beach. Keep an eye out for the hotel's most famous resident ghost, Kate Morgan. Ms. Morgan loved the hotel so much she chose to make it her permanent home, even after her passing in 1892.

Coronado is the perfect place if you are remotely interested in working on your tan on a gorgeous beach. The main beach, Coronado Central Beach, stretches some 2 miles and gives great views of the Victorian homes that run behind it on Ocean Boulevard. The beach has seemingly constant activity. Early in the day, Navy SEALs use the beach for their morning runs. Later in the day, artists come out of the woodwork creating elaborate sand castles. Body surfers and boogie boarders ply their craft as well. If you are looking for a less-traveled beach experience, you might want to check out Glorietta Bay Beach, a grassy park with a playground area and a small beach perfect for kids.

Coronado is conveniently located just across the bay from San Diego. A short drive across the Coronado/San Diego bridge brings you to a world of fantastic attractions. A trip to San Diego is incomplete without visiting beautiful Balboa Park, the cultural heart of the city. The park is one of the largest in the country and houses more than 20 museums and various attractions devoted to fine art, folk art, astronomy, history, aerospace technology, sports, and model railroads. The most popular of these is the world famous San Diego Zoo. More than 4000 animal species call the zoo home. The most famous residents, the Giant Pandas, were acquired from China in 1996 in an effort to help China's conservation efforts. The zoo is also a botanical garden, housing more than 6000 plant species, planted in part to help the animals adjust to their new environment.

Coronado has many gifts to offer visitors to this scenic island. Golfers can tee it up at the Coronado Municipal Golf Course, a spectacular loop overlooking San Diego Bay, or on one of the over 70 courses in the San Diego area. Coronado bills itself as a "car optional" environment, due to the more than 15 miles of dedicated bicycling trails that meander over the island. Two marinas on the island are available to rent charters and equipment to those who want to try their luck at landing a fish out in the Pacific, or enjoy a moonlight cruise in the bay. If you are looking for fun in the Pacific sun, Coronado is just the place!