Beach Cities

FROM CORONADO TO PACIFIC BEACH, WELCOME TO SOCAL’S MOST SCENIC SEASIDE ‘HOODS

Coronado is an island with small-town charm. Well, it’s not really an island, though many locals call it that. It’s an isthmus, attached to the mainland at the southern end of Silver Strand State Beach.

Driving there via the 2.1-mile-long Coro­nado Bridge is a thrill, but it’s also fun to travel by sea. The Coronado/San Diego Ferry leaves on the hour from downtown’s Broadway Pier between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. (619.234.4111). Upon arrival, check out the shops and restaurants at Coronado Ferry Landing (1201 First St.).

Head south on Orange Avenue to find an inviting retail district, with shops such as Root 75 Flowers & Home (845 Orange Ave.); Coronado Taste of Oils (954 Orange Ave.) to sample olive oils and vinegars; and Blue Jeans and Bikinis (971 Orange Ave.) for clothing and swimwear. Pick up a paperback at Bay Books (1007 Orange Ave.), and pop into The Attic (1112 10th St.) for home accents and jewelry.

Find more boutiques inside the iconic Hotel del Coronado (1500 Orange Ave.), opened in 1888 and a National Historic

Landmark. The Coronado Historical Association and Coronado Museum (1100 Orange Ave.) offers more info on the town’s history. Other Coronado gems include Wag’n Tails (945 Orange Ave.) for pet pampering and supplies; Art & Frames by Wood Gallery (936 Orange Ave.); and Emerald C Gallery (1331 Orange Ave.) for art inspiration. Another Coronado landmark, the Lamb’s Players Theatre (1142 Orange Ave.) is the area’s best ensemble outfit. And make time to play in the surf at worldfamous Coronado Beach.

Shelter Island and Harbor Island aren’t really “islands” either; they’re connected to the mainland and were created with tons of sand dredged from the bay. Shelter Island, with its seafood restaurants and nautically themed stores, is the departure point for sportfishing charters. The area is also home to concert venue Humphreys Concerts by the Bay. Nearby Harbor Island has its own, smaller outdoor festival site, Spanish Landing Park Both islands offer postcard vistas of the skyline, plus flat paths for scenic walks and bike rides.

“O.B.” for short, this neighborhood is truly one of San Diego’s most unique. It’s an aggregation of aging hippies, surfers, bikers, artists, musicians and other free spirits. The main drag, Newport Avenue, smells of incense and has many shops catering to the O.B. lifestyle; plus cool spots like award-winning winery Gianni Buonomo Vintners (4836 Newport Ave.)

Music junkies will love the vintage vinyl at Cow Records (5040 Newport Ave.); while Galactic Comics (4981 Newport Ave.) is heaven for graphic-novel fans. Nearby, The Sanctuary Wellness Experience (1955 Cable St.) offers holistic beauty and wellness products and treatments. Wind down the day with a stroll along the Ocean Beach Pier, or romp with the pooches at Ocean Beach Dog Beach

Nearby, Point Loma is home to Liberty Public Market (2820 Historic Decatur Road) and the

Arts District Liberty Station (2825 Dewey Road). There’s also Fort ­Rosecrans ­National Cemetery and the Cabrillo National Monument which offers panoramic views from the city to Mexico; plus hiking trails, tidepools, a historical lighthouse, and exhibits about conquistador Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo—the founder of San Diego.

The two popular beaches form an unbroken band of sand that stretches for 3 miles. Both are overflowing with restaurants, bars and boutiques. South Mission Beach is home to beach volleyball and bayside basketball games.

Farther north, Belmont Park (3146 Mission Blvd.) is San Diego’s iconic beachfront amusement park since 1925—featuring the Giant Dipper roller coaster. Another landmark dating back to 1925 is Crystal Pier, at the foot of Garnet Avenue in P.B. This 400-foot-long wooden pier is gated and lined with rental cottages and fishermen during the day.

The best way to experience this area is to walk along the boardwalk—a constant parade of skateboarders, cyclists and joggers. Then walk across Mission Boulevard to the quieter bayside boardwalk. Garnet Avenue and Mission Boulevard form the backbone of this funky, retro retail district, which boasts dozens of small shops filled with surfing gear, swimsuits and casual wear. Begin the 10-block shopping stroll where the two main streets intersect, then head east. Find that perfect bikini at Brazil Anna (954 Garnet Ave.) and Gone Bananas (3785 Mission Blvd.); and cute frocks at Bouluci Boutique (845 Garnet Ave.).

This 4,000-acre park is ideal for running, biking, kite-flying, sailing, standup paddle-boarding and boating. Sportfishing charters depart daily from Mission Bay, with watercraft rentals available. The bay’s west side is also home to SeaWorld. Don’t miss the Shark Encounter.