islandgirl – Page 8 – Island Girl

A Locals Guide to the Coronado Ferry Landing

The scenic Coronado Ferry Landing: I’m lucky enough to live just around the corner from it.

When I worked at Peohe’s in the early 1990s, the Ferry Landing was mainly for tourists. T-shirt shops, a few places to eat, and of course the iconic San Diego Ferry.

Things have changed. While you will still find some souvenir shops, the Ferry Landing is switching things up a bit…starting to cater more to locals with killer happy hours, some charming little shops, and–hello–two of my favorite things, kombucha and acai!

So where are the best places to visit as a local? Here are my favorite stops along the Coronado Ferry Landing!

1. Grab a coffee and acai bowl at Coronado Coffee Company. Then take a morning stroll.

…and they make amazing acai bowls! My girls love them too.

The Ferry Landing is practically deserted in the morning, and it’s the perfect time to grab my chai tea latte and a healthy acai bowl from Coronado Coffee Company. I love to take a walk and take in the calm, tranquil scenery.

2. Enjoy a morning paddle.

There’s no better place to paddle than the mellow waters at the Ferry Landing. And the views…perfection!

Solo paddles are the best!

But if you must, bring your husband and a kid…

Or two. 🙂

Always fun to paddle under the pier! (Watch your head.)

Look, everyone’s happy!

Even if you don’t have your own board, you can easily rent one from Bike and Kayak. I love that they do all the board-lugging and hauling for you, so you take off right from the little beach by Il Fornaio. All you have to do is hop on and paddle off into the Bay! Have a furry friend? Bring your dog along for free! The prices are good…rates as low as $29 per person!

Good prices and friendly service at Bike & Kayak at the Ferry Landing. An easy way to take a paddle if you don’t have a board!

3. Grab a snack at Lil’ Piggy’s Bar-B-Q.

Two Words: Piggy Poppers. These fresh jalapeños are stuffed with cream cheese, wrapped in bacon and smoked tender. I could eat these all day!

4. Order up some custom-made treats at Coronado Cupcakery.

Not only are the cupcakes at Coronado Cupcakery ridiculously delicious right out of the shop, but you can pre-order and customize for any party theme!

My fav? This adorable cake they did for Easter last year. If I’m hosting, I am totally ordering one of these bad boys!

5. Grab a sandwich and Kombucha at Crown Town Deli.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… this place doesn’t beat around the Boar’s Head! Crown Town Deli makes the yummiest sandwiches AND they have kombucha on tap, people! I love to order ahead when we are taking the boat out and have them slice the sandwiches in quarters. Makes a perfect snack when you’re out on the water!

6. Get earthy at the Art for Wildlife Gallery.

Every time I come in here, I find something new and fabulous. An artist’s homage to Mother Earth, the Art for Wildlife Gallery was established at the Coronado Ferry Landing in 1994. This gallery calls visitors with a distinct purpose: the inescapable belief in the purity and sanctity of animals and the natural world as “subject matter” for art. How can you not love it?

Last time I went, I scored this lovely purple starfish that adorns my mantle.

7. Plan a private party on the Peohe’s patio.

Now I’ve planned quite a few private parties, and I had no idea that you can book an event on the back patio at Peohe’s! This lovely, outdoor setting serves up jaw-dropping views of the San Diego skyline. And of course, it’s Peohes…hello, coconut crunchy shrimp! I’m thinking this setting would be fabulous for business events and birthdays…and pretty much any other sort of celebration.

8. Shop ’til you drop at Miss Match.

I do most of my shopping online…but every now and then, I like to buy in person from local retailers. I’m lucky to live just a hop, skip and a jump from Miss Match which has everything from party dresses and jewelry to casual tunics, jumpsuits, wraps and scarves. And the prices are pretty decent!

And here I am rocking one of my favorite scores from Miss Match, my cold-shoulder red-print top. Pssst… did I mention they offer a locals discount?

9. Grab some empanadas and a drink at El Roy’s Happy Hour!

All this shopping has got you hungry again, and there’s no better place for a delicious, scenic and affordable happy hour than El Roys.

My favs? The empanadas of course….

and I just love this blackberry cooler.

But really, with specials on beer, wine, and cocktails, how can you go wrong? Other half-off apps include Churrasco Tuna Sliders with chili tomato jam, Duck Confit Empanadas with Oaxaca cheese or Quatro Chili Chicken Wings with chipotle ranch. Mmmmm…..

10. OR…savor some authentic Italian food at Il Fornaio Happy Hour!

This is where I take my girls when my husband is away on business, mommy needs some downtime and the kids have energy to burn. I plop myself right down on the outside patio, order a glass of happy hour wine….

And let my kids run around on the little beach, or scooter, or rollerblade, or do what they need to do to get the wiggles out.

I adore this prosciutto salad on happy hour, and my girls always pick the pasta of the day (one with the sauce on the side.)

But seriously, its really hard to beat the views, food or the Happy Hour prices.

11. My last favorite thing about the Coronado Ferry Landing…actually riding the Ferry and getting off the island!

There is something so magical about getting on that boat and embarking on a short (yet scenic) voyage.

We love taking the girls on the smaller boat to the Convention Center dock, and grabbing lunch or dinner at Joe’s Crab Shack (which is an absolute BLAST for kids, let me tell you.) Or bringing the bikes and scooters and riding over to the Marriott for some poolside cocktails. Either way, it makes for a super fun outing, although I’ m always happy to return home to my enchanted isle.

And that’s it, folks! My favorite “locals” stops at the Coronado Ferry Landing. I hope you enjoyed!

Did I miss something? If so, please be sure to comment!

Open Wide: Taste of Coronado Dishes Out the Best Bites on the Island!

It’s that time of year again! The kids are well into their school routines, there’s a lovely chill in the air and the Coronado party season is upon us! Nothing kicks off the festivities like a Taste of Coronado, one of my favorite events of the year. I caught up with Jessica Settle Cunningham from Coronado Junior Women’s Club to get the scoop on this year’s “Taste.”

“This is a favorite local event of the year,” says Jessica. “It can be a date night, a family night, a girls night, you name it. All are welcome to join in the fun!”

It’s all happening on Wednesday, October 10^th from 5-9pm. Put on by the ladies of the Coronado Junior Women’s Club, a portion of this year’s event proceeds will benefit the Monarch School, a K-12 school designed to educate homeless youth; and Walk on Water, a national nonprofit that provides surf therapy to kids with disabilities.

So what exactly is “Taste of Coronado,” you ask? In short, it’s a chance to savor bites, sips, nibbles and samples from 30 restaurants and businesses in town. From crowd favorites like the Brigantine, Nicky Rottens, Stake, and McPs, from the Ferry Landing all the way to the other end of town, your $45 tasting card ($50 the day of) gets you more food and drink than you can shake a coconut crunchy shrimp at.

For guests 21 and over, be prepared to sip on champagne, beer and wine from participating businesses!

“This event really brings the community together, while experiencing the amazing local eateries and businesses AND giving back,” says Jessica.

Best part? If you’re too tired to walk (or you want to get from the Ferry Landing to uptown in a jiffy) you can hop on the complimentary trolley. It makes stops along the “Taste” route all night long, and is a great setting for an impromptu dance party (of course while you remain safely in your seats, ahem.)

New to this year’s lineup are El Roys Tequila Bar & Kitchen, Fonda Don Diego, the new Mexican Village, and Gelato Paradiso. In addition, Clayton’s Bakery & Bistro (they are opening in the former digs of Firefly on Orange) is joining in on the fun.

I’m dying to try dishes like Clayton’s Signature Monte Cristo with a side of fried pickles (yes, please!) and the Nicky Rottens mini Thai chicken lettuce cups. I’m also hoping the Brig serves up their mango ahi poke…after all, they won the “Crowd Favorite” award for 2017!

Some of my other favorite stops from last year include tasty and tender meat slices from Stake, a playful round of beer pong at Village Pizza Bayside, and even a shoulder massages at Coronado Bliss Salon.

Sadly missing from the lineup this year is Il Fornaio–which was often a crowd favorite. I hope they come back next year!

Also new this year, according to Jessica, one lucky winner who votes for their favorite stop will be selected on Friday, October 12^th to win TWO FREE TICKETS to the 2019 events…just for voting!

Thinking about hoping on board the Taste train? Then don’t hesitate…buy your ticket now because every year this event sells out! Buy your ticket here and get more info on where to grab your tasting card.

Not sure? Check out my blog post and pictures from last year’s event.

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for “Taste” news and updates!

Emerald C Dishes up Coronado’s First Farm-to-Table Art & Sensory Dining Experience

Would you like to dine on a 5-course gourmet meal with a local chef, chat with a celebrated Southern California artist, all while enjoying live music and wine with your friends? Without leaving the island?

If the answer is yes, check it out: Emerald C Gallery is hosting Coronado’s very first “sensory dining experience.” A pop up dinner of sorts, it’s all happening in the Emerald C gardens on Saturday, October 6 from 6-9pm.

And what exactly is a “sensory dining experience?” According to Penny Rothschild and Mellissa McLane of Emerald C, it’s an evening designed to “merge the senses and encourage an intensified awareness,” enhancing appreciation and enjoyment, of not just art, food, and music, but the overall environment.

“We really want to shake things up at the gallery, and do some different events,” says Melissa. “I have a friend who is a well-known artist in New York City, and he says these events are very popular at galleries and museums there. We thought…why not bring one to Coronado?”

And it just so happens Emerald C has a spacious gallery, and lovely, private garden…complete with sea breezes galore! The perfect setting for an artist reception and a delightful gourmet meal.

Penny Rothschild, gallery owner, thinks that Coronado is ready for a thoughtful, fresh event like this.

“Most of the people who live here are really seasoned travelers and they have a deep appreciation of art,” says Penny. “I think they are open to new ideas and are ready for something different and exciting!”

After all, this isn’t just your usual night out.

“This is a whole new experience, more than just going out to dinner,” says Melissa….”We really want to create a multi-sensory dining experience that is soulful and authentic…an evening that you won’t forget.”

When they arrive, guests will enjoy a cocktail reception with artist Kym de los Reyes, who is known for her energetic, colorful abstracts and impressionistic paintings. Kym has her work featured in galleries from Laguna Beach to Hawaii, and of course in Coronado at Emerald C.

“I’ve painted my whole life, it’s something I’ve always done. I feel called to paint, “says Kym. “I grew up in Southern California in a big family…we were always at the beach. It was optimistic in the 80s, and I think it’s really reflected in my work. I hope when people view my work they feel that joy.”

To learn more about Kym, see her website here.

Next, guests will move into the garden where they will be pampered by a five-course meal by vegan chef Cody Rush of Organic Memories.

“My love for fresh seasonal produce started as a child from my family’s farm,” says Cody. “Using the same theme as farm-to-table, I take it a step further with chef-to-farm. Going to the farms directly, finding and picking the best quality produce around to specialize each dinner.”

Cody seeks to “send a ripple” into the world with his dishes, and shine the light on more organic and plant-based food choices.

Between the art, the music and the food, Penny and Melissa agree that the night will be unforgettable. “The experience is going to be magical,” says Penny. “Come let us pamper you!”

The ladies of Emerald C Gallery hope that you emerge from the experience with an “interconnectedness of your senses, and a deeper connection to those around you.” Sounds pretty sensational to me!

For a short time, tickets will be discounted by $100. Buy tickets here.

or call the gallery at 619-996-3315. Use the code FRIENDS to get the deal! (Tickets with code $125, normal price $225.) See you there!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnzMyeuHcAG/?taken-by=organicmemories

The “Cobblestones-to-Cocktails” Shoe Store Opens on Orange Avenue

A new shoe store has sauntered onto the island and is kickin’ it on Orange Avenue. I paid a visit to Charleston Shoe Company the other day (located on the 1000 block of Orange, a couple stores down from Leroy’s) and I’ve gotta say…this chipper, cheerful store made me want to do a little happy dance.

You may be wondering…what is the Charleston Shoe Company? And what’s it doing in Coronado? First things first: This shoe company’s theme is “from cobblestones to cocktails.” As you may have guessed, its an East Coast shoe brand designed to get you where you’re going in style…from morning coffee all the way to cocktail hour.

And it’s comfort-based. Wait, what?! Are these “Mom shoes?” At first glance, it may seem that way. But upon closer inspection, you see that these demure shoes are disarmingly fetching!

They are prim but lively. Preppy but beachy. Ladylike yet ridiculously comfortable. Like a Tory Burch espadrille and a wayward Birkenstock drank too much whiskey and made a love child.

Of course I had to try them on.

My feet couldn’t have been happier if I had just spread out my toes in warm sand. Yes, they are that comfortable.

And let’s face it. I’ve never been one for painful heels in the first place. I live in my Converse, Tory sandals and Olukais. (That’s when I can’t be barefoot.) Yup, these shoes were made for me.

I mean, don’t they look cute?

You can even pick up Magnatiles in them.

So what’s the backstory here? Turns out that the founder of Charleston Shoe Company– Neely Powell–spent her childhood summers in San Miguel de Allende—a colonial town in Central Mexico. (I’ve never been but people rave about its charm.)

She befriended a local shoe cobbler known for making lovingly-crafted sandals worn around town by all the locals…and the rest is history! She opened her doors in Savannah, Georgia and then Charleston, South Carolina. Today there are shops popping up everywhere from Nantucket to Balboa Island, from Martha’s Vineyard to Santa Barbara, and from New Orleans to Del Mar.

The company takes pride on the sturdy, comfortable construction–courtesy of the 70 cobblers and artisans who still hand-sew the shoes in San Miguel de Allende. Love it!

So next time you are on the 1000 block of Orange, stop into Charleston Shoe Company. Don’t just look…do yourself a favor and try a pair on. And, like they say…if the shoe fits…

Thanks for reading!

This Year’s CSF Party Set to be Hotter than Havana!

Would you like a side of salsa with your auction?

If the answer is yes, it’s time to strap on some heels, tuck a flower in your hair and head to the hotter-than-Havana “Party at the Tropicana” at the Hotel Del Coronado. That’s right, it’s time for the 2018 Coronado Schools Foundation Benefit and Auction Gala…and this year’s soiree is sure to sizzle! It all happens Saturday, October 20^th from 5-11:30pm.

So what inspired this year’s “Havana Nights” theme? If you’re thinking Camila Cabello, you’re right. According to co-chair Donna Salof, “I woke up in the middle of the night after hearing that song and thought it would be a really fun theme for the event.”

We couldn’t agree more!

Camila says, “Be sure to bring your manners, oh-na-na.”

So what’s new and hot this year? According to Leanne Anderson, Director of Development for CSF, this year ALL of the guests are invited to join the pre-party in the Hotel Del Garden Patio (previously just reserved by VIP ticket purchasers.) The Pre-Party at Club Havana will feature tray-passed hors d’oeuvres and wine selections from Skylark Winery.

“This is the first time ever we’ve partnered with a winery to upgrade the wines for the enjoyment of our guests,” says Leanne.

It just so happens that Skylark is owned by CHS grad Robert Perkins. I’ll cheers to that!

At 6pm, all guests will move into the Grande Ballroom for the “Party at the Tropicana.” This year everyone gets a reserved seat, so no mad rush for tables as in previous years.

“We’re also featuring a super-fun Passport game where guests will get the opportunity to purchase a passport and visit six different stations to complete their ‘trip,’” says Leanne. “Those who complete 4 of the 6 stations will be entered in a drawing to win a suitcase with a trip inside, and other goodies.”

Guests will enjoy a gourmet, four-course dinner with complimentary wine and beer before the live auction kicks off at 7:30pm. (Don’t miss guest star Carmen Miranda!)

Carmen says, “Be sure to bid on your favorite items during the live auction! Remember, all proceeds go to our Coronado schools!”

And what Havana night would be complete with out live music and salsa dancing? Grab your man and kick your heels up to an 8-piece band by Bonnie Foster Productions.

Less of a risk-taker on the dance floor and more of a gambler at the tables? Then hedge your bets at the Cuba Libre Casino instead.

Can’t wait to see everyone at Havana Nights! Be sure to tag your social media with #csfauction2018 and #getonyourfeet.

Still don’t have your outfit? Not to worry! Check out my “style brainstorm” on my blog for outfit inspo and dress ideas—guys looks included!

Style Brainstorm: What to Wear to Havana Nights CSF Gala?

Thanks for reading and see you at the Tropicana! For more info and tickets, click here:

https://csfkids.org/benefit-auction/