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UNDERCOVER CORONADO: Sharon Risse on the fun life for locals in Coronado alleyways
The RealCoronado Alley Life
By Sharon Risse Photos by Vanessa Sottile
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For outsiders, Coronado means the iconic Coronado Hotel Del, Glorietta Blvd, and the sixthbest beach in the country. For locals, Coronado is a quintessential community, made up of long-time and new-to-the-island residents who live, work, and play in this paradise they call home.
One of the things that set Coronado apart from some cities is how residents own many local businesses. That helps with the strong sense of community that binds this island of 24,000 inhabitants together. Walking around town, one senses the a nity residents have for Coronado. If you ask a resident why they love it so much, they will inevitably mention a strong sense of community as one of the best things about living in Crown City.
As in any town, there are places that the locals know about that make a place extra-special. In Coronado, one of those unique things is lovingly referred to as “alley life”. To fi nd out what makes Coronado’s alleys so unique I’m going on a tour with residents and real estate partners Frances and Charlotte.
Charlotte Rudowicz and Frances MacCartee are longtime residents and dear friends who both light up when they speak about the beautiful community they call home. Part of what makes Coronado, so great Charlotte tells me is that:
“One can fi nd everything they need right here on the island; pediatrician, accountant, dry cleaner, hardware store, not to mention some of the fi nest restaurants in San Diego County.”
The secret to a happy life
Charlotte grew up in Wisconsin but spent summers here with her grandparents. She lovingly recalls the carefree summers at the beach. After graduating from Miami University of Ohio, she knew Coronado was where she wanted to raise her family. Convincing Tom, her Ohio-born husband, was easy, and they moved here to begin their life. After working for a few years at the Coronado Eagle + Journal selling real estate ads, Charlotte decided to get her real estate license and has been selling Coronado homes for almost 20 years. Charlotte and Tom have been married for over 21 years and have two sons, Tommy and Joey. Tommy is a sophomore at Coronado High School and is an avid sailor and Boy Scout. Joey is in 6th grade at Coronado Middle School and loves to play any sport that involves a ball. “My boys grew up riding their bikes to every activity or practice they needed to be at. My friends who live elsewhere often complain about how much time they spend driving kids all over San Diego, and living here, I just haven’t had to do that. It creates a sense of calm for our family, knowing the kids can get where they need to be on their own.” In her spare time, Charlotte loves to hike with her family and explore nature. She is the President of her PEO chapter, an organization she is passionate about that is dedicated to women’s education.
Frances, the daughter of the US Navy’s most decorated SEAL, was born and raised here. After graduation from Coronado High School, she left to study fashion at The Fashion Institute of Design and
PHOTOS COURTESY OF RUDOWICZ MACCARTEE GROUP
This beautiful Coronado home with an alleyway entrance is tucked away o the beaten path.
Merchandising. While home on a break, Frances met her future husband, a fellow Coronado native. Together, they are raising four daughters in the home he grew up in. Her mother-in-law, a strong community volunteer and
historical preservation advocate, lives nearby. Frances’ home has become a gathering place for family and the many friends she has on the island. She loves the small-town feel and shared that her daughter not only attends the same pre-school she did but has the same teacher! “When I dropped my daughter o at school that fi rst day, Mrs. Webbhad a photo from my fi rst day. That’s really special!” That continuity and connection is important to her, and she loves that her kids share her sense of belonging to a community.
Both women entered real estate to share their love of Coronado with their clients and give back to their community. The group consistently earns awards of excellence and in 2020, the Rudowicz MacCartee Group was awarded #2 group in Coronado. When not representing clients, they also fi nd time to be involved with Coronado Rotary, Sharp Coronado Hospital, and the Coronado Schools Foundation.
Alley Life
Today they are sharing with me a little-known secret of this fabulous community, the alleys. Created some years back when large lots were divided and houses built in the back, the alleys of Coronado have evolved into their own special neighborhoods.
I meet Frances and Charlotte, on a corner and we start walking down what to the untrained eye is just an alley. A few trash and recycling bins are out and there are some parked cars. I soon realize this is no ordinary alley, this is really more like a long driveway or private street, fl anked on each side by beautiful, family homes. As with any alley, there are some garages, but there are also front doors and small yards with white picket fences. The narrow alley without any through tra c adds to the sense of closeness and community and provides a play and social space for kids and adults who may not have a front yard. In the alley, kids are playing basketball, tag, and skateboarding. A few adults are sitting on beach chairs chatting and down the way a friendly ping-pong competition is happening in an open garage.
This is what Frances and Charlotte lovingly refer to as “alley life” and the activities I observe are typical of any afternoon. Here neighbors open up their garage door to signal happy hour, kids of all ages can play together, neighbors meet over co ee or drinks to catch up and connect. The alley becomes the baseball fi eld, soccer pitch, and an awesome Nerf gun battle zone. It’s also the place for some awesome holiday parties! The community feel of Coronado felt on the more traveled streets is felt even more strongly here.
The residents of these alley homes love the peace and tranquility that living here grants them. There is security in knowing your neighbors, where kids can bike or walk to school, sports, or other activities together. Neighbors are friendly and always willing to lend a hand and include local teachers, business owners and even a real estate agent or two.
It’s truly a community within a community. And alley residents wouldn’t have it any other way.
So next time, you’re walking around town, step o the main street and sample a bit of alley life. sample a bit of alley life.
Neighbors celebrating Swedish Midsummer in the alley.
