Spring is one of the most colorful and delightful times to visit the enchanted island of Coronado, located a bridge away from downtown San Diego. As the weather begins to warm, the "Crown City's" sun-kissed setting beckons visitors to view gorgeous gardens and spectacular floral displays, as well as participate in exciting sporting events, historic home tours, charming Easter celebrations, popular outdoor concerts and more.

FLORAL FETE

• On April 20-21, the city of Coronado presents the 88th Annual Coronado Flower Show, a cherished Coronado tradition since 1922 and the largest tented flower show in the West. Each year, this floral fete draws thousands of gardening and flower enthusiasts to Spreckels Park, and this year's theme is "Ticket to Ride." Flower exhibits are displayed inside tents surrounding a grand central gazebo, which becomes the stage for trophy presentations and live entertainment. There is also a flower marketplace, beer garden and food pavilion. Tickets are $5 for adults; children aged 12 and under are free.
  Visitors can also visit award-winning "Home Front" gardens throughout Coronado island, designated with First (blue), Second (red), Third (yellow) and Honorable Mention (white) ribbons displayed in the yards or windows of the homes. A list of the winners with addresses is available at the Flower Show.
  A couple of free events coincide with the Flower Show weekend including:
  
  • Art-in-the-Park, an outdoor art gallery in Spreckels Park, showcases local artists on April 21.
  • The Friends of the Library Book Fair takes place on April 20-21 in Spreckels Park.

VROOM WITH A VIEW

• Now in its 23rd year, MotorCars on Main Street on April 28 is a free classic car show featuring more than 350 pre-1973 hotrods, convertibles, roadsters, trucks and other custom cars on display from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Isabella and Orange Avenues in downtown Coronado.

HOME GROWN

• On May 12, guests are invited to step back in time and view several historic Coronado homes during the annual Coronado Historic Home Tour. This popular neighborhood outing features an eclectic mix of architecture and time periods. Tickets cost $30 for members and $35 for nonmembers of the Coronado Historical Association.

HOP TO IT

• On March 30, families are in for a hopping good time during the Easter Egg-stravaganza & Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at the Coronado Community Center, featuring egg hunts and a visit from the Easter Bunny.
• On March 31, families can hop to the Hotel del Coronado for fun Easter festivities for the whole family, including old-fashioned egg hunts on the oceanfront Windsor Lawn, a craft fun zone, photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, and an Easter champagne brunch buffet in the magnificent Crown Room and Ballroom. Activities are free and open to hotel guests and those attending the brunch.

CURTAIN CALL

• Lamb's Players Theatre, Coronado's award-winning, year-round professional theater company with a resident stage on Orange Avenue, presents two productions during the spring: "Damien," March 22 – May 5, features Producing Artistic Director and actor Robert Smyth's tour de force performance as the passionate priest who fought government and church for the lepers of Molokai, Hawaii; and "Fiddler on the Roof," May 17 – June 5, is a fresh, stirring and joyous production of one of the greatest musicals of all time.

TUNE IN

• Sounding off on May 26 and continuing through September 8, Coronado's Promenade Concert in the Park Series is a beloved local tradition that takes place every Sunday at 6 p.m. in Spreckels Park. Performances include Coronado's Lamb's Players Theatre and popular bands like the Coronado Community Concert Band, Navy Band Southwest Show Band, Marine Band and Coronado Big Band.
• Kicking off off on May 1 and continuing through September, the Coronado Ferry Landing Summer Concerts takes place from 1-4 p.m. every weekend at the Coronado Ferry Landing shops. Visitors can enjoy performances from local bands and spectacular views of San Diego Bay.

GO FISH

• During March through June, visitors can observe one of most unique natural phenomenon in Southern California, the grunion runs, when thousands of small silvery fish spawn on Coronado's beaches during the night after the new and full moon.

SPORTING GOOD TIMES

• The 6th Annual SUPERSEAL & 3rd Annual SEAL Sprint Triathlons take place on March 17. Designed by local Navy SEALs who train in Coronado, 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, the SEAL Sprint Triathlon consists of a 500-meter swim, 20K bike ride and 6K run.
• The U.S. Navy's 27th Bay Bridge Run/Walk takes place on May 19. This noncompetitive four-mile run/walk offers spectacular panoramic views of Coronado Island and San Diego Bay as participants make their way from downtown San Diego over the San Diego-Coronado Bridge to Tidelands Park. Registration is required; proceeds benefit the U.S. Navy's Morale Welfare and Recreation programs.
• On May 26, the 17th Annual Loop Paddleboard Race, a 12-mile, hands only (no paddles) paddleboard race, launches from Coronado Shores and loops north around Naval Air Station North Island into San Diego Bay, before finishing in Glorietta Bay. First-timers are welcome.

Happiness is calling in Coronado. For more information on activities and 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.

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