Coronado Island — Patti Part Two

What an adorable quaint place! I have been to San Diego a number of times - but never driven across the bridge to Coronado Island - so that was on my list. It definitely did not disappoint me. Coronado Island - which is technically a peninsula or “tied island” is located across the San Diego Bay from downtown San Diego. You access it by a very long bridge which takes you right into the Main Street. Coronado Island was founded in the 1880’s and was intended to be a resort community. It has a population of just under 27,000. Coronado is Spanish for “crowned one” thus the nickname The Crown City.

Cheryl and I on Coronado Island with downtown San Diego in the background.

My friend Theresa has a home on Coronado and lived there for over 30 years so she was a wealth of information. She gave us a great suggestion for lunch so that was first on our list of things to do. The restaurant was in a pretty residential neighborhood and was small, understated, very friendly and delicious! In fact all the food on our entire trip was great - but Tartine was my favorite if I had to pick one.

Lots of beautiful desserts - the way to my heart!

The three of us shared everything so it was a great way to try a number of things. Potato and cheese soup with baguette, Croque Monsieur sandwich and a turkey panini. And for dessert - Coconut lemon bread pudding!!

My mouth is watering just thinking about it all again!!! Worth the drive - absolutely!!

We walked from one end of town to the other and it was only a little over a mile. Really cute shops, restaurants, bars and picture perfect little homes and Bed and Breakfasts.

The showpiece of the island is the Hotel Del Coronado. It was built in 1888 and has long been considered one of the world’s top resorts and is listed as a National Historic Landmark. They welcome visitors and the huge beach right in front of it is a public beach. No old hotel is complete without a ghost and the Hotel Del is no exception. Supposedly it is haunted by a woman named Kate Morgan who died there in 1892 of a gunshot wound to the head - but the rumors are that she died mysteriously and that the bullet in her head didn’t match the weapon. She haunts room #3372 so beware!!

We enjoyed delicious cocktails in one of the bars facing the ocean after sitting on the beach for a bit - now that’s a vacation!!

If you’re in the San Diego or Southern California area Coronado Island is worth a visit!