DAY TRIP CORONADO ISLAND, SAN DIEGO

The island of Coronado, located in San Diego Bay, is approximately 7.4 square miles and connected to the city of San Diego by the San Diego-Coronado Bridge.

Coronado Island also includes a public marina and an 18-hole, par 72 public golf course with a view of the Coronado Bridge, Hotel del Coronado and the San Diego Bay. The Coronado Visitor Center is located in the Museum of History and Art building at 1100 Orange Ave.

GETTING THERE

Take I-5 south to CA-75 (San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge) south toward Coronado. Turn left onto Orange Avenue.

Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 35 minutes.

GETTING AROUND THE ISLAND

From the Coronado Ferry landing, the boat leaves every hour on the half-hour. Coronado Pedicab Tours offers 30- and 60-minute tours, and Coronado “Vintage Motor” Tours take visitors for a 40-minute guided historical tour Saturday and Sundays in a classic 1965 Volkswagen microbus. Cost is $12.50 per person; reservations are suggested. Call (619) 435-0511.

Coronado Walking Tour

This 90-minute guided walking tour of historic areas in Coronado departs from the Glorietta Bay Inn at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Cost is $12. Call (619) 435-5993.

Biking

Bike rentals are available at Loews Crown Isle Marina at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort, 4000 Coronado Bay Road. Call (619) 424-4000.

Gondola Rides

The Gondola Company, located at Loews Coronado Bay Resort, offers one-hour cruises from 11 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. All cruises include a complimentary hors d’oeuvre or dessert plate, blankets, an ice bucket and wine glasses. Guests may bring their own beverage. Call (619) 429-6317 for reservations or go to www.gondolacompany.com.

MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ART

The Coronado Museum of History and Art is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is a $6 donation. Call (619) 435-7242. Gallery exhibits feature information about Coronado’s settlers, its friendship with the U.S. Navy and the landmark Hotel del Coronado.

ART-IN-THE-PARK

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the first and third Sundays of each month, Spreckels Park at 7th Street and Orange Avenue becomes an outdoor art gallery. Call (619) 435-3555 or go to www.coronadoartassn.com.

THEATER

The Coronado Community Playhouse at 1775 Strand Way has cabaret seating, a full-service bar and a year-round schedule. Call (619) 435-4856 or go to www.coronadoplayhouse.com.

Lamb’s Players Theatre at 1142 Orange Ave. is a year-round professional repertory company. Call (619) 437-0600.

CORONADO MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE

The course welcomes golfers of all skill levels. Tee times should be made two days in advance. Call (619) 435-3121, ext. 3 after 7 a.m.

HOTEL DEL CORONADO TOUR

The Coronado Museum of History and Art offers the only tour allowed inside the Hotel del Coronado. Reservations are required for the one-hour, docent-led tour. Cost is $15. Call (619) 437 -8788.

BEACHES

Coronado Beach runs the length of Ocean Avenue. On the beach just south of the Hotel del Coronado are the remains of the sunken gambling ship Monte Carlo, which washed ashore in 1936.

Dog Beach is on the north end of Ocean Boulevard and allows dogs to run leash-free with their owners.

Silver Strand State Beach is located 4.5 miles south of the village of Coronado. An underpass allows access to a bayside beach and picnic area and Loews Coronado Bay Resort.

— Sue Thoensen