Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Coronado Beach

"You’ll keep returning to this 1,200-acre urban park for its world-class zoo, restful cultivated areas, museums in refined Spanish Revival buildings and live shows. There’s a tapestry of gardens around the park, planted with more than 350 plant species hand-selected at the turn of the 20th century by the botanist Kate Sessions, the “Mother of Balboa Park”. An emblem for the park and San Diego is the Botanical Building, one of many splendid holdovers from the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition."

"Watch the pandas cuddle and the polar bears swim, then go next door to Balboa Park for lunch at Panama 66, a sculpture garden-restaurant with hot sandwiches and a terrific tap list. Your first stop for an afternoon of museum-hopping is to peruse the minor masterpieces at the San Diego Museum of Art. Study humankind at the San Diego Museum of Man, marvel at aeronautic engineering in the San Diego Air and Space Museum, then catch your breath in the Botanical Building."

"Like no place else in the country, Balboa Park offers a magnificent combination of art, architecture, history and agriculture in one expansive park. Spanning approximately 1,200 acres, Balboa Park was once known as City Park and was founded more than 125 years ago. Today, the park is home to 15 museums, theaters, marvelous gardens, restaurants, shopping and the world-famous San Diego Zoo."

"Belmont Park opened for business in 1925 and remains San Diego’s oldest and only beachside amusement park. Things to do at Belmont Park include a ride on the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster, miniature golf, laser tag, arcade games, and a handful of other rides. It’s free to enter and walk through the midway full of pay-to-play carnival games and you can also grab a Dole Whip, giant ice cream cone, hot dog or other quick-service treats."

"3146 Mission Boulevard San Diego, CA 92109 858-488-1549 Ride Hours: Monday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Tuesday-Thursday: 11:00am-8:00pm Ride Hours: Friday & Saturday: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM Sunday: 11:00am-9:00pm Store hours vary 5 Stores plus multiple kiosks Major Attractions: Roller Coaster, Beach Blaster, Wave House and Specialty Shops"

"A Mission Beach linchpin, Belmont Park was opened by the sugar magnate John D. Spreckels back in 1925. This amusement park has 12 rides, three oceanfront eateries, an 18-hole Tiki-themed mini golf course and a host of smaller attractions. But the king of Belmont Park has to be the time-honoured Giant Dipper."

"Within Old Town don’t miss Casa de Estudillo, which is one of the few original buildings (many are reproductions), Whaley House and Museum, which is believed to be haunted and Junípero Serra Museum, literally the place where California began. You can get more information here."

"Built in 1825 to house one of San Diego’s earliest families, the building is reputed to be haunted by the ghosts of prior residents."

"Crosby Street Park is a tiny little park that just happens to have a pier that extends way out into San Diego Bay which allows you to get some cool shots of the Coronado Bridge that most people may not have seen. Along the pier there are tug boats and military ships in the yards being fixed so it can give you some pretty interesting pictures. The park has lots of parking and this place is almost always deserted so  you will probably have it all to yourself."

"The Cabrillo Bridge is a historic pedestrian and automobile bridge providing access between Balboa Park and Uptown San Diego. It's a great place to capture moody images at dawn. In general, Balboa Park is a great place to capture cool images."

"Florence Ristorante Pizza North Park is a family-owned and operated restaurant that serves a variety of pizzas and other Italian dishes. They commit to serve their dishes in the most professional and fastest way possible. Furthermore, they offer their products at affordable prices."

"Manhattan of La Joya is an elegant, casual and classy place offering delicious Italian cuisine and a beautiful, romantic atmosphere. The bar here offers classic cocktails that get ..."

"It comes complete with cupcakes, frosting, sprinkles, spatulas and decorations for you to decorate your own unique cupcake treats at home."

"North ParkNo one would believe that Caffe Calabria got started with a couple of hospital coffee kiosks, but when owner Arne Holt had trouble sourcing quality coffee he finally decided to start roasting his own. That’s when he opened up North Park’s Caffe Calabria back in 2001. Now, 14 years later, he’s training baristas in the art of espresso extraction and milk texturing to create the best cup of coffee to ever touch your lips."

"If you are craving a good Italian cup of coffee this is the place to go!. Definitely a step more serious than your neighborhood coffee shop. Their Italian paninis are delicious, and if you happen to be there on Wednesday through Sunday after 5pm, try their pizza baked in a custom-built wood-fired oven."

"If you are craving Chinese cuisine, Wei Wei Asian Express serves various Asian food items, like rice bowls, ramen, noodles, soup, fried rice and rice noodles. Their menu has a list of flavoursome starters, like salt and pepper chicken wings, egg rolls, wontons, chicken chow mein and satays. This is clearly a one-stop-Asian restaurant, with a basic Asian menu and their own speciality food items, like their kung pao with shrimp or beef and wei wei with basil sauce."

"Wei Wei Asian Express features a wide range of Chinese cuisine in a bright counter-serve eatery. They prepare their dishes using authentic spices and flavorings. The dishes also feature the freshest produce and premium meats."