5 SECRET FREE FINDS IN CORONADO

Millions of visitors already flock to Coronado annually to see the majestic Hotel del Coronado and to experience the large price tags and coveted luxury that complements it. So instead, we’re setting our sights on the hush-hush goldmine of freebies you’ll find on this charming island-city. Stuffed mushrooms, live Jimmy Buffet covers, historic bar. Vintage photography and art under a cloudless sky. Repeat. See how rich living free can be?

Free Eats at the Ferry Landing
Hungry for elegant eats in Coronado? From 5-6:30pm Monday through Thursday, the culinary team at Il Fornaio Restaurant & Bakery at Coronado’s Ferry Landing lays out a generous spread of complimentary Italian appetizers at the restaurant bar. On any given night, you’ll find a combination of warm garlic bread knots, savory Italian sausage, smoked salmon and cream cheese wraps, grilled chicken strips, flavorful pizzettes, and stuffed mushrooms. Afterwards, do like the Italians after a meal and stroll along Ferry Landing’s boardwalk for an evening passeggiata.

Seaside Music and History
Best place to wind down on a late Friday or Saturday night on the island? At Hotel del Coronado’s Babcock & Story Bar, named for the Del’s visionary founders, where you’ll find the hotel’s original 46-foot handcrafted mahogany bar. Mingle amongst starry-eyed travelers and other lucky locals while listening to the free live music, usually jazz favorites or Jimmy Buffet covers, 8pm-midnight. 

Art in the Park
On the first and third Sunday of each month, wander amongst an outdoor gallery of more than 50 artists and their paintings, sculptures, etchings, photography, stained glass, wood and metal work and ceramics at Spreckels Park, at 6th and Orange avenues. These artists are the cream of the crop, they’re selected out of a panel of judges to showcase their work at this all-day art show.

 Art and Nostalgia
My favorite way to relive Coronado’s history?  At the Coronado Museum of History and Art,  where you can check out historic images of Coronado’s original tent city and learn more about its legendary visitors, residents and architecture. It’s a small space and well worth the time to explore. Admission is FREE, but they suggest (as do I) making a $4 donation per adult.

Staying Fit for Free
Yes, you can run, bike, walk, and even Segway, until your legs give out in Coronado. But if you’re looking for something high-intensity to really get your heart pumping, ditch your mundane Saturday gym visit and replace it with the FREE workout at CrossFit Coronado. Used by many police academies, fire fighters, and tactical operation teams, the CrossFit program includes a combo of short runs, medicine ball throw, pull-ups, squarts, Olympics lifts, and more. Some say it is the ultimate test of fitness, see for yourself and if you have any energy left, head to your computer and tell me about it.