Coronado for the holidays: Festive fun all season long

Located a bridge or ferryboat ride away from San Diego, Coronado is a magical escape for San Diegans during the winter months. With glistening beaches, one-of-a-kind shopping opportunities and a nostalgic small-town setting, Coronado is an ideal place to enjoy a stocking full of holiday festivities. During the holidays, the “Crown City” is transformed into a winter wonderland that includes twinkling Christmas trees lining Orange Avenue, the Hotel del Coronado’s whimsical Skating by the Sea, and Loews Coronado Bay Resort’s enchanting marina with caroling gondoliers and boats aglow with colorful holiday lights.

Festivities kick off on Nov. 27 and continue through Jan. 5 with Skating by the Sea, a popular annual outdoor ice-skating rink on the Windsor Lawn of the Hotel del Coronado, just steps from Coronado Beach. The Del merriment continues on Dec. 4 with “Holiday Festival…A Family Celebration,” featuring Santa Claus, his elves and a spectacular fireworks show.

A cherished local holiday tradition for families is the free Coronado Christmas Parade and Open House on Dec. 6. The fun island fete begins at 2 p.m. with frosty frolic on Snow Mountain, then Santa Claus’ arrival by ferryboat at 3:20 p.m. at the Coronado Ferry Landing. The Holiday Parade marches down Orange Ave. at 6 p.m., with a Merchants Open House from 5 to 9 p.m., and official tree lighting in Rotary Park at 7 p.m.

The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights sails past Coronado Island on Dec. 8 and 15, featuring more than 80 boats sparkling with holiday lights. Families can find prime viewing from the shoreline along the Ferry Landing and Coronado Island Marriott Resort from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Lambs Players Theatre gets into the spirit of the season with two musical favorites that will have audiences humming Christmas carols long after the show is over: Festival of Christmas’ “Catch a Falling Star” on its resident stage on Orange Avenue, Nov. 29 to Dec. 29, and “An American Christmas” dinner show at The Del, Dec. 16 to 24.

On Dec. 20 to 23, The Gondola Company at Loews Coronado Bay Resort sings joy to the world – and waterways of the Coronado Cays – during its Buon Natale gondola cruises, featuring a Santa gondolier serenading guests with Christmas carols. Throughout the holidays, guests can also book gondola rides to view dozens of brightly decorated boats and yachts.

Shopping for the perfect holiday gift? Orange Avenue brims with an assortment of boutiques and shops selling everything from home décor and fashionable clothing to jewelry, art and more. Shoppers can also find something for everyone on their list at the Coronado Ferry Landing, the chic Shops at the Del or Artisan’s Alley Craft Fair on Dec. 7 at Coronado Village Elementary School.

Revelers can ring in 2014 at The Del’s “Pure Magic” New Year’s Eve Gala or Loews Coronado Bay Resort’s memorable New Year’s Eve dinner at Mistral and lively bash in the Cays Lounge.

This holiday season, come and play across the bay in Coronado. Visit www.sandiego.org/coronado for special offers, hotel deals, an event calendar and more to plan the perfect daytrip or staycation getaway.