When autumn arrives in Coronado, sunsets glow in vibrant fall colors, and refreshing bay and ocean breezes sweep over the island complementing the "Crown City's" pleasantly warm temperatures - averaging 73 degrees in the fall. As the summer beach crowds diminish, visitors can enjoy a cornucopia of fun-filled fall activities, from Navy ship tours and exciting classic car races to a wonderful Wizard of Oz celebration and entertaining theater performances.

FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD

• In conjunction with the 75th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz film, Coronado celebrates its premier Wizard of Oz Weekend on Sept. 20-22. Festivities include exclusive movie screenings of a first-ever remastered 3D version of the movie classic at the Village Theatre (tickets to benefit local charities and non-profit organizations), a Wizard of Oz parade down Orange Avenue, book signings, exhibits, character look-a-like contests and more. Coronado is often nicknamed the "Emerald City," as author L. Frank Baum found inspiration in the island's enchanting surroundings, including the Hotel del Coronado with its iconic red castle-like turrets, which are found in several Oz books. Baum wintered in the early 1900s in Coronado while penning his classic novels.

GARDEN DELIGHTS

• During the 23rd Annual Coronado MainStreet Garden Party on Sept. 7, visitors can explore the gardens of one of Coronado's picturesque historic homes while enjoying a wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants and craft beers from the Coronado Brewing Company. Tickets are $75 per person with proceeds supporting the beautiful median gardens along Orange Avenue, Coronado's charming main thoroughfare.

ART & SOL

• Coronado Art Walk on Sept. 14-15 at the Coronado Ferry Landing is the city's annual celebration of the arts, featuring outdoor exhibits of paintings, photography, ceramics, hand-crafted jewelry and other mediums by over 100 artists from around the country, plus musical entertainment and interactive art activities for guests of all ages. Admission is free, and a complimentary shuttle transports guests along Orange Avenue with a stop at the popular Art-in-the-Park exhibit in Spreckels Park.
• The Coronado Museum of History & Art presents its new exhibit, "100+ Years of Coronado Yachting," opening August 16 and continuing through the end of fall. The display spotlights the island's nautical past as a yachting hub with historic photos and artifacts from local yacht clubs, most notably the 100-year-old Coronado Yacht Club. Other highlights include an Olympic Gold Medal in sailing won in 1984 by Coronado native Robbie Haines, a handcrafted locally built wooden sailboat and touch-screen video kiosk featuring recorded interviews with long-time Coronado yachtsmen and women. Admission is free.

CURTAIN CALL

• Lamb's Players' Theatre, Coronado's award-winning, year-round professional theater company with a resident stage on Orange Avenue, presents two fall productions. During Aug. 9 - Sept. 22, Lamb's presents The 39 Steps, a wild, comedic theatrical ride through the Hitchcock classic. During Oct. 4 - Nov. 17, the powerful Pulitzer Prize-winning, one-act play Wit takes the stage, starring resident actor Deborah Gilmour Smyth.
• Coronado Playhouse presents two fall shows at its 100-seat cabaret-style theatre on Glorietta Bay: Shakespeare's brilliant classic The Tempest, Aug. 30 - Sept. 22, and the rocking 1960s musical Suds, Oct. 25 - Dec. 1.
• Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA), the island's public arts conservatory for high school students, presents The Pirates of Penzance, a swashbuckling comic musical by Gilbert and Sullivan, October 25 - November 2. Visitors are in for a treat as they discover a new wave of creative and theatrical talent on par with Coronado's professional theater ensembles.

DINE AROUND

• Guests can enjoy "island fare in the ocean air" during the popular annual A Taste of Coronado from 5-9 p.m. on Oct.16, featuring several local restaurants. Shuttles transport guests between restaurants; tickets prices $35 in advance, with proceeds benefitting local charities.
• Good times are on tap during San Diego Beer Week on Nov. 1-10. The countywide festival highlights the region's award-winning craft beer, breweries and pubs, including the Coronado Brewing Company, the island's premier microbrewery. Event dates, times and locations vary throughout the week; Coronado participants include Mistral at Loews Coronado Bay Resort.

DRIVE IN

• During Sept. 21-22, guests can enjoy fast-paced fun during the 16th Annual Fleet Week Speed Festival at Coronado's Naval Air Station North Island. Held in conjunction with San Diego Fleet Week, the thrilling vintage auto "Race at the Base" features more than 200 classic cars racing a 1.6 mile course along North Island's runways. Spectators can also stroll through a bustling Vendor Village and car show.

GO NAVY!

• Held in conjunction with San Diego Fleet Week, guests are invited to the NAS North Island Open House on Sept. 21-22, the only Navy open house on the West Coast. This rare glimpse at the birthplace of naval aviation features a free U.S. Navy Ship Tour, flyovers, performances by the Navy SEAL Leap Frogs parachute jump team and a multitude of military displays, including Navy jets and helicopters, vintage aircraft, boats and hovercraft.

FRIGHT NIGHT

• Home of famous resident ghost Kate Morgan, the Hotel del Coronado gets into the spirit of the season during its 4th annual Hallo-wine and Spirits Party on Oct. 26. On The Del's ghoulishly-decorated Garden Patio, guests can enjoy grown-up trick-or-treating along with a variety of wine, cheese and chocolate tastings from the hotel's ENO wine bar, then progress to the Crown Room for DJ music, dancing and hors d'oeuvres. Tickets are $100 per person; guests must be 21 years or older to attend. A special Halloween-themed Kidtopia is also available for kids ages four to 12 at the Hotel del Coronado. Cost is $50 per child, and advanced reservations are required.

TURKEY TIME

• Guests can enjoy an elegant Thanksgiving buffet dinner on Nov. 28 at the Hotel del Coronado's oceanfront Ballroom and magnificent Crown Room, featuring all the trimmings and live musical entertainment. Also during Thanksgiving weekend, The Del kicks off its holiday programs, including seaside ice-skating and the illumination of thousands of white lights adorning the grand Victorian structure.
• Guests can give thanks at two festive Thanksgiving meals on Nov. 28 at Loews Coronado Bay Resort. A fabulous Champagne Brunch Buffet occurs in the main Dining Room with patio dining available. Seatings are at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; cost is $49 for adults and $19 for children, ages 4 to 12. A prix fixe, family style Thanksgiving Dinner is available 5-9 p.m. in the resort's signature restaurant, Mistral. Cost is $49 for adults and $19 for children, ages 4 to 12.

SPORTING GOOD TIME

• The 35th Annual Superfrog Triathlon jumps into action on Sept. 29. 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 along one of the most scenic stretches of Southern California coastline.
• During the popular annual Silver Strand Half Marathon and 5K on Nov. 17, visitors can run, walk, rollerblade or roller-skate from Coronado to Imperial Beach along the scenic Silver Strand. Handcyclists and wheel chair participants are also welcome to participate.

Happiness is calling in Coronado. For more information on fall activities and events in Coronado and the entire San Diego region, visit the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau's website, www.sandiego.org and www.sandiego.org/coronado, or call 619.236.1212.

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