CITY TOURS FIND THE BEST IN
Beach Cities FROM CORONADO TO PACIFIC BEACH, WELCOME TO SOCAL’S MOST SCENIC SEASIDE ‘HOODS
CORONADO Coronado is an island with small-town charm. Well, it’s not really an island, though many locals call it that. It’s an isthmus, attached to the mainland at the southern end of Silver Strand State Beach. Driving there via the 2.1-mile-long Coronado Bridge is a thrill, but it’s also fun to travel by sea. The Coronado/San Diego Ferry leaves on the hour from downtown’s Broadway Pier between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. (619.234.4111). Upon arrival, check out the shops and restaurants at Coronado Ferry Landing (1201 First St.).
Head south on Orange Avenue to find an inviting retail district, with shops such as Root 75 Flowers & Home (845 Orange Ave.); Coronado Taste of Oils (954 Orange Ave.) to sample olive oils and vinegars; and Blue Jeans and Bikinis (971 Orange Ave.) for clothing and swimwear. Pick up a paperback at Bay Books (1007 Orange Ave.), and pop into The Attic (1112 10th St.) for home accents and jewelry. Find more boutiques inside the iconic Hotel del Coronado (1500 Orange Ave.), opened in 1888 and a National Historic
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Landmark. The Coronado Historical Association and Coronado Museum (1100 Orange Ave.) offers more info on the town’s history. Other Coronado gems include Wag’n Tails (945 Orange Ave.) for pet pampering and supplies; Art & Frames by Wood Gallery (936 Orange Ave.); and Emerald C Gallery (1331 Orange Ave.) for art inspiration. Another Coronado landmark, the Lamb’s Players Theatre (1142 Orange Ave.) is the area’s best ensemble outfit. And make time to play in the surf at worldfamous Coronado Beach.
SHELTER ISLAND / HARBOR ISLAND Shelter Island and Harbor Island aren’t really “islands” either; they’re connected to the mainland and were created with
tons of sand dredged from the bay. Shelter Island, with its seafood restaurants and nautically themed stores, is the departure point for sportfishing charters. The area is also home to concert venue Humphreys Concerts by the Bay. Nearby Harbor Island has its own, smaller outdoor festival site, Spanish Landing Park. Both islands offer postcard vistas of the skyline, plus flat paths for scenic walks and bike rides.
OCEAN BEACH & POINT LOMA “O.B.” for short, this neighborhood is truly one of San Diego’s most unique. It’s an aggregation of aging hippies, surfers, bikers, artists, musicians and other free spirits. The main drag, Newport Avenue, smells
