Neighborhoods to Know and Go: Coronado's Orange Avenue

San Diego attracts people in search of sand and surf, but across San Diego Bay is one of the most gorgeous beach towns in the area, Coronado. Although a naval base occupies the north half of the island, you don't feel like you're in a police state with big brother watching you. Instead you'll see tourists and locals hanging out in the gold-flecked sand and shopping along the one-mile-long main drag, Orange Avenue.

"Coronado" means the "crowned one" in Spanish, so that explains why you'll see more crown-themed souvenirs here than in England. You'll see crowns on clothing, placards and tea towels, plus you'll even spy actual crowns, fake, of course, in almost every shop along Orange Ave. But the strip of mom-and-pop shops offers a lot more, with restaurants, cafes and a bookstore.

The city is only a 2.2-mile drive from downtown San Diego via the distinctive Coronado Bridge. Or you can hop on the ferry in San Diego Bay and take a pretty 15-minute ride to the Coronado Ferry Landing for about $3.50. But get going now, since tourists will flood the place once Memorial Day hits and summer arrives; more than 2 million people visit the island each year.

Get cracking on Coronado after the jump.

Where to Eat

· MooTime Creamery
When you're roasting under the sun at the beach, ice cream is part of the ritual. Your stomach will probably find this little ice cream parlor before you do, since the tempting aroma of the house-made waffle cones wafts outside Orange Avenue. This old-school shop makes its own ice creams, too. Be sure to get two scoops of the Island Crunch, a popular concoction of chocolate ice cream, coconut ice cream and macadamia nuts.

· Sheerwater
Dining along the beach is a must in Coronado. Hit up the Hotel Del Coronado's Sheerwater, a casual restaurant that allows you to go from sand to lunch or dinner without having to get too cleaned up. Sit in the outdoor terrace in front of the fireplace�Coronado gets pretty cool at night�and order the delicious creamy lobster bisque and the achiote chicken and chorizo flatbread with black bean hummus, pepper jack cheese, avocado, cilantro and sour cream.

Where to Shop

· Seaside Papery
You won't find cheesy postcards in this paper shop. But you'll see an array of lovely letterpress stationery, cards and other paper goods that will serve as even better souvenirs.

· In Good Taste
This gift shop focuses on sea-themed gifts for the home, like a platter made with pearly sea shells. It also specializes in entertaining in the home, so you'll find cases with Moonstruck chocolates and other sweet treats, and a display case of cheeses made in-house, like a provolone with pesto and sun-dried tomatoes.

Culture Hot Spots

· Hotel Del Coronado
No visit to Coronado is complete without a stop at the Hotel Del and its famous red turrets. The Victorian hotel is a National Historic Landmark and the most iconic place on the island. It's the best place to perch yourself and watch the sunset on the beach.

· Lamb's Players Theatre
The Lamb's Players have a theater in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter and one along Coronado's Orange Avenue. The company puts on classics and lesser-known works, everything from musicals like Mix Tape to historical dramas like The Rivalry.

Related Stories:
· Neighborhoods to Know and Go: Brooklyn's DUMBO [Jaunted]
· Neighborhoods To Know And Go: San Diego's North Park [Jaunted]
· Neighborhoods to Know and Go Travel [Jaunted]

[Photos: Jennifer Kester]

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