Coronado Island - a Holiday Destination for All in the Family

Coronado Island, just off San Diego, California, is home to a Navy SEALs training center and naval air station, which makes it a military powerhouse; but never mind that. It is also a real Easter basket of a tourist destination. You can reach it from downtown San Diego via the Island Bay Bridge.

The crown jewel of the island is the Hotel Del Coronado. For many years, it has been one of the world's best resorts, and is still one of California's destination hotels. It is even on the National Register of Historic Places. Ever since it started in 1888, has always been a superb place to vacation or just to dine in its wonderful restaurant -- to say nothing of the fabulous views. While you are admiring the beaches, don't forget to turn around and look back at the hotel itself, to take in its amazing architecture.

About a mile away, in the Ferry Landing Marketplace, you can browse to your hearts content among more than 30 stores, art galleries, and restaurants. You can even rent or buy a bike -- and what better way to tour the area at your own pace, in your own way, and get plenty of exercise at the same time? It is also a good way to spend quality time with the family.

Nearby Tidelands Park is a great place to turn the little kids loose and has great picnic facilities. On Tuesdays, there is also a farmers market, so maybe the picnic can come to you!

And, of course, Coronado Island has beaches. Coronado Beach has plenty of room for you and your family even in the summertime. To the north is the Best Weekend Getaway Beach.

You can also take a 90-minute walking tour of the area, starting at the Glorietta Bay Inn in Coronado. Pedicab tours are also available.

From the Coronado Bay Resort, you can take an hour-long gondola tour -- yes, in an Italian gondola, with a gondolier -- through the Coronado Cays. Refreshments are included. For an extra fee, you can even have a violinist or mandolin player on board. You really can't leave Coronado Island without a little of that Italian Renaissance Magic!

To get to Coronado Island from San Diego by car, take the Coronado Bay Bridge exit off I-5. If you'd rather take the Coronado Ferry, it runs hourly from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Hotel Coronado is about a mile away from the Ferry Landing.