Located a bridge away from downtown San Diego, Coronado offers an exciting array of annual and special events that make a visit to the “Crown City” as memorable as its postcard-perfect setting.
Located a bridge away from downtown San Diego, Coronado offers an exciting array of annual and special events that make a visit to the "Crown City" as memorable as its postcard-perfect setting. From the nation's premier surf dog competition and a star-spangled Fourth of July celebration honoring the city's proud U.S. Navy heritage, to the largest tented flower show in the nation and sparkling Christmas festivities, there are numerous signature events for visitors to enjoy throughout the year.
Following are Coronado event highlights; for up-to-the-minute event listings and changes, visit www.sandiego.org/events.aspx
JANUARY
Jan. 24-Mar. 2
"The Foreigner" at Lamb's Players Theatre
Kicking off its 43rd season, Lamb's Players Theatre presents "The Foreigner," one of the funniest plays of the 20th century, on its resident stage on Orange Avenue. The wild and funny adventure is about shy Englishman Charlie Baker who finds himself in a rural Georgia fishing lodge where everyone believes he doesn't speak English. www.lambsplayers.org
FEBRUARY
Feb. 16
4th Annual Coronado Valentine's Day 10K
Runners enjoy a beautiful run along Tidelands Park, San Diego Bay, Coronado Municipal Golf Course and Glorietta Bay. There's also a 1 mile fun run for kids. www.coronado10k.com
Feb. 21-23
20th Annual Nations of San Diego International Dance Festival
Southern California's largest multi-cultural dance festival features over 200 dancers and musicians representing cultures from around the world, performed at Coronado High School's Performing Arts Center. www.nationsdancefestival.com
MARCH
Mar. 16
7th Annual SUPERSEAL and 4th Annual SEAL Sprint Triathlons
Designed by local Navy SEALs, the SUPERSEAL Triathlon consists of a 1,500-meter swim in the Silver Strand State Beach Bay, a 40K bike ride and 10K run. For a less intense course, there's the SEAL Sprint, consisting of a 500-meter swim, 20K bike ride and 6K run. www.superfrogtriathlon.com
Mar. through Jun.
Grunion Runs
Visitors can observe a fascinating and unique Southern California natural phenomenon, as hundreds of small silvery fish spawn on Coronado's beaches during spring nights after the new and full moon. www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/grunionschedule.asp
APRIL
Apr. 5
USS Coronado Commissioning
Visitors can join in the festivities as the U.S. Navy commissions its new USS Coronado combat ship - named after the City of Coronado - at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island; an auspicious occasion for the public to view the second of the Navy's sleek new class of trimaran littoral ships up close. www.coronadocommissioning.net
Apr. 19
Easter Egg-stravaganza & Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Families are in for a hopping good time at this popular annual breakfast at the Coronado Community Center, featuring egg hunts and a visit from the Easter Bunny. www.coronado.ca.us
Apr. 26-27
89th Annual Coronado Flower Show
The largest tented flower show in the U.S. takes place in Spreckels Park. Flower exhibits are displayed inside tents surrounding the park's central gazebo, which becomes the stage for live entertainment and trophy presentations. There is also a flower marketplace, beer garden and food pavilion. Tickets are $5 for adults; children 12 and under are free. www.coronadoflowershow.org
May 4
MotorCars on Main Street
Now in its 24th year, this popular classic car show features more than 350 pre-1973 hotrods, convertibles, roadsters, trucks and other custom rides on display at Isabella and Orange Avenues; admission is free. www.coronadomainstreet.com
May 18
Navy's 28th Bay Bridge Run/Walk
This annual four-mile run/walk allows participants a unique opportunity to cross the iconic blue span of the San Diego-Coronado Bridge on foot from downtown San Diego to Coronado's Tidelands Park. Proceeds benefit the U.S. Navy's Morale Welfare and Recreation programs. http://mwrtoday.com/bridgerun
May 25- Sept. 7
Concerts in the Park
This beloved local tradition takes place every Sunday evening during the summer in Spreckels Park and is perfect for picnics. www.coronadovisitorcenter.com
May-Sept.
Coronado Ferry Landing Summer Concerts
Popular concerts take place every weekend, from 1-4 p.m., during the summer at the Coronado Ferry Landing, with performances from local bands and spectacular views of San Diego Bay. www.coronadoferrylandingshops.com/events-sandiego-coronado.htm
JUNE
Jun. 29
Low Tide Ride & Stride
Presented by the Coronado Rotary Club, runners enjoy an 8.2 mile run or bicycle ride along a wide stretch of hard packed sand from Imperial Beach to Coronado - the longest all beach run or ride on the Pacific coast and only time the restricted beach at NAS North Island is open to the public. http://lowtiderideandstride.org
JULY
Jul. 4
Fourth of July Celebration
San Diego's most popular Independence Day celebration includes a 15K Run-5K Run/Walk in Tidelands Park, rough-water swim at Central Beach, flag-waving two-hour parade down Orange Avenue, Art-in-the-Park and afternoon concert in Spreckels Park and spectacular fireworks display over Glorietta Bay. www.ecoronado.com/4th
Jul. 13
9th Annual Unleashed by Petco Surf Dog Competition
The nation's original surfing competition for dogs, this popular event features dozens of dogs hanging 10 as they're scored on confidence level, length of ride and overall ability to "grip it and rip it." The event draws thousands of spectators, plus expert surfers who participate in a tandem event, performing radical tricks with their pooches.
AUGUST
Aug. 24
7th Annual Ride the Bridge-Bike the Bay
A rare opportunity to bicycle over the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, this popular, non-competitive 25-mile ride along Bayshore Bikeway passes through the cities of Coronado, San Diego, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista and National City. www.bikethebay.net
Labor Day weekend (dates TBA)
Optimist Club of Coronado 43rd Annual Sports Fiesta
The Sports Fiesta's "Big Three" events include a 10K run on the streets of NAS North Island, one-mile swim off of North Beach and triathlon on North Beach and NAS North Island; events start and finish at Sunset Park on Ocean Blvd. www.optimistclubofcoronado.org/optimist-sports-fiesta
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 6
23rd Annual Coronado MainStreet Garden Party
Guests can enjoy a "Taste of Coronado," featuring food from local restaurants, wine tastings, entertainment and raffles. Tickets are $75 per person; proceeds support Coronado's Orange Avenue Median Gardens. www.coronadomainstreet.com
Sept. 13-14
Coronado Art Walk
The city's annual celebration of the arts features exhibits of paintings, hand-crafted jewelry, photography, ceramics and other mediums, as well as entertainment at the Coronado Ferry Landing. Free shuttle service carries guests along Orange Avenue, with a stop at Spreckels Park's Art-in-the-Park. www.coronadoartwalk.org
Sept. 18
Coronado Village Car Procession
This traditional kickoff to the Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival features a procession of classic cars down Orange Avenue from NAS North Island to Rotary Plaza and Isabella Avenue in the Village of Coronado where visitors can view the cars up-close on display. www.coronadospeedfest.com
Sept. 20-21
17th Annual Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival
This spectator-friendly vintage auto race features over 200 classic cars and takes over the runways of NAS North Island on a 1.6-mile course. www.coronadospeedfest.com
Sept. 20-21
NAS North Island Open House
Held in conjunction with San Diego Fleet Week, the NAS North Island Open House features U.S. Navy ship tours, thrilling flyovers, performances by the Navy SEAL Leap Frogs parachute jump team and military displays, including Navy jets, helicopters, vintage aircraft, boats and hovercraft. Admission is free. www.fleetweeksandiego.org/events/sf-military-displays.html
Sept. 28
36th Annual Superfrog Triathlon
Starting at Silver Strand State Beach, this challenging long-distance triathlon includes a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike course and 13.1-mile run. www.superfrogtriathlon.com
OCTOBER
Oct. TBD
Taste of Coronado
During this scrumptious annual event, guests can enjoy "island fare in the ocean air," sampling bites from over 20 participating Coronado restaurants. Shuttles transport guests between restaurants; tickets are $40 per person. www.atasteofcoronado.com
NOVEMBER
Nov. 16
Silver Strand Half Marathon
Participants can run, walk, rollerblade or roller-skate 13.1 miles from Coronado to Imperial Beach along the scenic Silver Strand. www.kozevents.com/Running_Events/Silver_Strand_Half_Marathon___5K.htm
Nov. 26 - Jan. 3
Skating by the Sea
Guests enjoy an annual outdoor ice-skating rink at the landmark Hotel del Coronado overlooking Coronado Beach and the Pacific Ocean. The Del's Windsor Lawn is transformed into a seaside winter wonderland, benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. www.hoteldel.com/holidays
DECEMBER
Dec. 5
39th Annual Coronado Christmas Parade & Open House
Guests can get in the holiday spirit with Santa Claus arriving by ferry across San Diego Bay and a Snow Mountain play area at the Coronado Ferry Landing. Afterwards, a colorful holiday parade and Merchants Open House takes place along Orange Avenue, followed by the traditional tree lighting of a 50-foot Christmas tree and free community concert in Rotary Park. www.coronadochamber.com
Dec. 14 & 21
43rd Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
This colorfully unique San Diego holiday tradition features more than 80 private boats decorated with holiday lights, sailing along the waters of San Diego Bay. Prime viewing is from the shoreline of the Coronado Ferry Landing and Coronado Island Marriott Resort. www.sdparadeoflights.org
Dec. 31-Jan. 1
Hotel del Coronado Annual New Year's Eve Gala
Revelers can ring in the New Year with a reception in the Del's magnificent Crown Room, followed by a lavish dinner in the Ballroom with dancing and a champagne toast at midnight. www.hoteldel.com/holidays
Dec. TBA
Festival of Christmas
Celebrating its 37th year, this is one of Coronado's favorite annual holiday traditions presented by Lamb's Players Theatre on its resident stage on Orange Avenue. This family friendly musical production is sure to put guests in a holiday mood with its festive tunes. www.lambsplayers.org
Dec. TBA
An American Christmas
During this holiday dinner performance at the Hotel del Coronado, guests step inside the hotel's gorgeous Ballroom and are transported back to 1913 for a memorable Christmas celebration where 30 performers fill the evening with music, dance and song during an interactive, four-course yuletide feast. www.lambsplayers.org
Happiness is calling in Coronado. For more information on 2014 events in Coronado and the entire San Diego region, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website, www.sandiego.org and www.sandiego.org/coronado, or call (619) 236-1212.
Coronado events photos and video/b-roll are available upon request.
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