Page 119 - 2015 Travel Guide to California

A Bridge to Coronado
The arcing San Diego-Coronado Bridge
connects downtown to Coronado. Often
referred to as an island, the genteel city
with an active Navy base actually sits on
a peninsula attached to the mainland by
the Silver Strand, a narrow strip of road
and sand running past quiet lagoons and
pristine beaches to the southern part of
the county. Ferries cross the bay between
downtown and Coronado as well, giving
travelers a chance to enjoy the city’s
urban delights but sleep by one of the
world’s loveliest beaches.
»
MUST
SEE,
DO
SAN DIEGO WATERFRONT with sailboats, Industrial Harbor and Coronado Bridge,
above; the historic aircraft carrier, USS Midway, now a museum docked in downtown
San Diego, right; downtown San Diego, opposite.
SPECIAL
»
EVENTS 2015
» Mission Bay Park Half water and half land,
the nation’s largest man-made aquatic park includes
27 miles of recreational pathways plus multiple
playgrounds and picnic areas and is the best place
around for jet-skiing, waterskiing and kayaking.
› sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/
regional/missionbay/facilities.shtml
» Cabrillo National Monument
Breathtaking views of San Diego Bay, downtown
and the horizon all the way to Mexico are part of
the panorama from atop Point Loma’s bluffs. Trails
lead to a historic lighthouse and lookout points
where you can spot gray whales spouting out at
sea in winter. A short hike takes you down (and
back up) the bluff to tide pools filled with starfish
and hermit crabs.
› nps.gov/cabr
» San Diego Zoo Known for its endangered
animals (and its irresistible giant pandas), the zoo
easily requires a full day. Allow time for the
fabulous shops.
› sandiegozoo.org
» Balboa Park The largest urban cultural park in
the United States, this rambling park encompasses
museums, theaters, artists’ studios and gardens.
› balboapark.org
» Coronado Islanders revel in their separation
from the bustle of downtown, preferring their
quiet, small-town ambience with beautifully
restored Victorian homes and rose gardens along
wide streets. The Hotel del Coronado serves as a
landmark and attraction for the compact
community, which actually sits on a peninsula
rather than an island.
› coronadovisitorcenter.com
GASLAMP QUARTER MARDI GRAS Said to be the country’s second largest. Feb. 17,
Downtown San Diego gaslamp.org
ART WALK @ LITTLE ITALY April 25-26, Little Italy artwalksandiego.org
ROCK ’N’ ROLL MARATHON May 31, Central San Diego runrocknroll.competitor.com/san-
diego
SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR June 5-July 5, Del Mar Fairgrounds sdfair.com
FOURTH OF JULY July 4, Coronado coronadovisitorcenter.com
COMIC-CON July 9-12, Downtown San Diego comic-con.org
THOROUGHBRED HORSERACING July 15-Sept. 7, Oct. 28-Dec. 6, Del Mar dmtc.com
SAN DIEGO LGBT PRIDE PARADE, RALLY AND FESTIVAL July 18, Hillcrest and
Balboa Park sdpride.org
2015 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A 117