Wedding at Centennial Park

On Sunday I rode my bike by these wedding preparations at Centennial Park.  What a beautiful location.  Best wishes to the newlyweds!

View of Point Loma

You can see Point Loma clearly from Coronado's Central Beach.   The Pacific Ocean is on the left, and on the far right is the mouth of the San Diego Bay.

The beaches are much less crowded since school started, but I miss the happy sounds of children's laughter!

Coronado Bay Bridge

The clean modern lines of the Coronado Bay Bridge are striking.  I adore it because no matter where we wander, it always brings us home to Coronado.

Surrey Ride Around Coronado

Nothing brings the family together like a surrey ride - everybody pedals!  It's the perfect slower-paced mode for touring the village of Coronado.  I took this photo on Ocean Boulevard, looking out over the Pacific Ocean.

Tidelands Park Playground

Are these colorful sculptural art or practical benches?  At Tidelands Park playground you get both.  Children love them, and parents can't resist resting on them at the edge of the playground.

The Coronado Sandman

The Sandman is a talented local fellow who creates whimsical, temporary sand art on the streets of Coronado.  I found this cheerful image on Ocean Boulevard this morning while riding my bike.  Written on the side was "Happy Birthday Kim."

First Day of School

School started today in Coronado, and as always I have mixed feelings; excitement at having time to myself again, but a distinct emptiness at saying goodbye to constant togetherness... and the recognition that time is marching on.

I want to express my appreciation to the outstanding teachers and staff in our Coronado Schools.  There's no place else we'd rather be!

Colors of the Farmers' Market

What is the going ransom for sunflowers these days??

What could be better on a HOT afternoon than a leisurely stroll at the Coronado Farmers' Market?

A Bridge with a View

The view from the Coronado Bay Bridge is gorgeous, but unless you're a passenger in the car, it is impossible to take your eyes off the road for more than a second.  The other day my husband was driving us over the bridge and I grabbed the camera for these two quick shots, to give you a better idea of what this lovely little island looks like.  Seriously, only try this from the passenger seat!

Look at the background of the island, and you'll see the Hotel Del with its pointed red roof, the tall condominium buildings of The Shores, and in the lower photo Point Loma looms in the distance across the bay.  Coronado Municipal Golf Course takes center stage.

A Basket Full of Flowers

What a clever way to repurpose an old bike!  Coronadans love their flowers and bicycles.

All Ashore

Wine for the Weekend

Just love stopping at ENO Wine Room at the Hotel Del Coronado!  My husband and I shared this flight of Chardonnays one evening, and *somehow* I forgot to take a photograph until we were half-way finished.  They were all yummy, but the view was the show stopper.

Old Lifeguard Tower

The old lifeguard tower at Dog Beach is no longer used, but doesn't it take you back in time?

Celebrating the Ordinary

Okay, we all know we should slow down and honor the beauty around us, but it's easier said than done, isn't it?  The other day I walked up and down the beach scanning for a nice photo op, when I finally looked down and noticed nature's textural beauty at my feet.  Life is full of little jewels if we just stop to appreciate them.

Three Sheets to the Wind

Excuse the title... I couldn't help myself, it was too easy!  This striking metal sculpture sits appropriately next to the Coronado Yacht Club, and rotates in the direction the wind blows.

It's Almost Tee Time!

It's always a good time to play at the Coronado Municipal Golf Course!     

The Mystery Swimmer

I was taking photos at Glorietta Bay Park a few days ago, when a man walked up and asked me to zip the top bit of his dry suit for him.  I fastened the back of the neck, then he waded into the bay and swam off.  Wish I'd asked where he was swimming to... across the bay?  Imperial Beach?  Hmm, that's a pretty long way!

The Boat House

The Boat House was built in 1887, a year before construction began on the Hotel Del Coronado across the street.  It was designed by the same men, and is said to have been an exercise in building practice before constructing the Hotel Del.  Today the Boat House is a locally owned restaurant.

Enchanting Garden

When our son was little, everytime we walked past this decorative mailbox he asked "I wonder how the mailman gets into that mailbox"?  Now he says it each time we pass it, for old time's sake.  Isn't this a lovely garden?

Hotel Del Coronado

Nothing says Coronado like the historic Hotel Del Coronado!  Watch Marilyn Monroe in "Some Like It Hot" to peek inside this gracious resort hotel.  Yes, it's changed a bit since the movie was filmed in 1959, but not too much.

San Diego Skyline at Sunset

The tall buildings across the bay look like ivory towers from Coronado's Bay View Park at sunset.

Today is a very special day, as it's my Grandmother in-law's 92nd birthday.  Happy Birthday Dorothy!  You are an amazing woman, and inspiration to us all.  We love you!!

Tuesday Farmers' Market

The summer harvest is a rainbow of colors and flavors at the Farmers' Market.

An Island-Style Wedding

I found this wedding site set up on the beach near the Hotel Del yesterday, with family members staking out their spot.  Isn't it wonderfully original?!  Congratulations to the bride and groom!

Dog Beach

Dog Beach was hopping with dogs of all sizes and breeds today.  These pooches were impressively cooperative, and quickly formed their own playful little pack.

The King in Crown City

Swing by Moo Time Creamery for their amazing hand-crafted ice cream, and pay your respects to The King.

Ships Passing on the Bay

A Hornblower yacht and a "slightly" smaller sailboat passed on a sunny afternoon in the San Diego Bay, while this fisherman looks on from Coronado.  Have you taken a dinner cruise before?  It looks like fun.

You can just make out the San Diego Convention Center behind the Hornblower ship, and to the left of that are the trees at Seaport Village.

Ice Cream Man

Few moments in life are as carefree and simply delicious as stumbling upon an ice cream vendor on a warm summer day.

The Trolley Tour

These cheerful orange trolleys make the rounds from Old Town, through downtown San Diego, to Coronado everyday, allowing tourists to hop on and off as they like.  Children (and some of us big kids) love the old fashioned bell the driver rings before the vehicle takes off each time.  Trolleys run about every half hour, but go to Old Town Trolley Tours for all the info.

Beach Over The Bridge

The beach at Tidelands Park was teaming with families on Sunday.  Notice the young man on the right digging one seriously deep hole!

High Flight and the Hidden Park Bench

Man has always dreamed of flight...

*High Flight*

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds -- and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of -- wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence.  Hov'ring there,

I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue

I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or even eagle flew,

And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod

The high, untrespassed sanctity of space, 

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

--John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

This easy to miss bench and plaque are located at corner of Glorietta Boulevard and Ynez Place, overlooking the Coronado Yacht Club.  Don't you love finding little gems like this?

Lunch at Tent City

My family and I enjoyed a bike ride around the island today, topped off with lunch at Tent City restaurant, located on Orange Avenue and Park Place.  Tonight we'll go to Concert in the Park rounding out a good, good day.