Coronado Island

Coronado Island is roughly two miles by sea from San Diego, and 5.2 miles drive from downtown. As of the 2000 census, there were 24,000 residents living on the island. Coronado or Coronado Island is connected to the mainland by the Silver Strand beach and an extensive bridge.

The idea to make Coronado Island a destination spot came in 1888 when the Hotel del Coronado opened. In 1900 John D. Spreckels started a vacation/ tourist area south of the hotel. He named it Tent City. The tents became cottages, but they were eventually torn down by 1940.

The total land area of the island is 32.6 square miles, with 24.9 of those miles as water. Coronado Island is most well known for local festivals such as the Coronado Flower Show. It is always held on the third weekend in April. It started as an annual festival in 1925. On the north side of Coronado Island is the Navy Base. The island was also a place for the army in its early history, though now the Navy Base is the only military presence left. The island is well known for its notable residents like Tim Thomerson, Kevin Kenner, and Chad Fox.