This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

10 (Mostly Free!) Things You've Got to Do in Coronado This August

Bring on the hot hot heat! August is one the island's best months for fun & free activities. Here's 10 you've got to check out this month.

Summer may be winding down, but our best days are still ahead with long, hot days, breathtaking sunsets and a bevy of August activities just waiting to be enjoyed.

As locals well know, our little island town is chalk full of fun things to do year 'round and August is one of the better months to get outside and enjoy them. We see a lot of out-of-towners pursuing Coronado real estate who ask about the best things to do on the island (and wallet-friendly suggestions are usually weclome!). Here's a roundup of some of our most beloved island activities perfect for the month ahead (all locals approved, too!).

Take a Ride on the Coronado Ferry

Find out what's happening in Coronadowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Grab your bike or best boat-going threads and head to The Coronado Ferry.  The ferry departs from The Coronado Ferry Landing on First Street. The 15-minute boat ride is a great way to enjoy San Diego’s world famous bay. Choose the Broadway Pier or the Convention Center for disembarking and enjoy the day in downtown San Diego. Or ride your bike along the bay and stop for lunch at Anthony’s Fish Grotto. Then grab the ferry home, all fare-free, courtesy of the City of Coronado!

Enjoy the Newly Restored Coronado Village Theater

Find out what's happening in Coronadowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Who doesn’t like a night out at the movies?  Especially when it’s at the newly renovated , a gorgeous Art Deco-styled picture house with three theatres, each with their own stunning 3-D murals depicting San Diego, the bay and Coronado landmarks.  And before the movie, grab a quick gourmet signature hot dog at the new  restaurant on Orange Avenue, home to some killer good french fries, too. (The 50/50 tots are not to be missed!)

Spend a Day on the Bay

There’s no shortage of sunshine in Coronado so taking to the water is always a popular choice.  offers jet ski waverunners, sailboats, power boats, kayaks, and paddle boards for day long fun on Glorietta Bay. You can motor, paddle or sail past the shores of the and pass under the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge for views of the famous San Diego harbor.  You’ll also find plenty of beach spots to pull over and picnic along the golf course side of the island and at just beyond the bridge.  Upon your return, enjoy a wonderful “turf or surf” meal at the historic , established in 1887.

Check Out Coronado’s Concert in the Park

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, every Sunday you can pack a picnic and join friends for a free, outdoor concert at Spreckles Park. Set up your outdoor dining area under the shade trees of this beautiful public park and stage a “progressive” picnic. The performers range from rock’n’roll, to country and blue grass, to jazz – and even the Marine Corps concert band. Here’s the  for 2012.

Folks begin setting up around 4:30-5:00 for the 6:00 concert and current city regulations allow for wine during the evening. It’s best to walk or bicycle to the park since available parking spots are far and few between. It’s always a great evening watching happy children dancing around the gazebo, along with their parents or grandparents in tow.

Enjoy The Home Grown Goods

Search out the best organic fruit and vegetables or other locally grown produce at the held each Tuesday from 2:30-6:00 at the Coronado Ferry Landing on First Street. Fresh flowers abound and you can stock up on delectable produce for the week. After visiting the great farmer stands, walk down to the public beach on the bayside of the Ferry Landing shops and enjoy your hand-picked choices.  is nearby and features a ton of other whole, organic foods and beverages. You can easily swing by to round up the trimmings for a totally healthful (and local) picnic.

Enjoy Surf, Sand & Spirits

Walk the best beach in the U.S. () starting in front of the . Stroll all the way down to the beginning of for breathtaking views, incredible ocean breezes and the sand in your toes. You can pickup shells and sand dollars along the way and watch for dolphins and seals (The Navy SEALs train early in the morning if that’s the kind of spotting you’re after!). By the time you’ve returned back to the hotel, pop in to the for refreshments.  The watering hole is a favorite of guests and locals for its margaritas, wines, espressos and delicious light fare.

Go (Grunion) Running

If you’re a night owl and looking for an evening out of the ordinary, go grunion hunting! California grunion (member of the silverside fish family about 6” long) leave the ocean to spawn on four consecutive nights of full and new moons after high tide. The “grunion runs” sound like folklore but actually do happen. If you’re lucky enough to be in the right spot when they come up from the waves, you’ll be treated to the site of thousands of shimmering fish creating nesting sites in the sand. Even if it’s very late, and the sight of all those fish has made you hungry, visit the  on Orange Avenue. It’s an all-night diner that’s been feeding Coronadans since 1927. FYI, it serves breakfast all day!

Hop on & Head South

The Silver Strand bike path is a great place to scorch calories and check out the southern side of the island. Start at the b, take a quick peek at the great murals on the boardwalk of the Coronado City Hall, stop along the way at scenic bayside overlooks to watch shorebirds, and continue to the Coronado Cays before turning around. If you’re looking for a fun way to check out Coronado Shores condos for sale or Coronado Cays properties, why not do this on an open house day?

It’s a little over 5 miles to the Cays and if you’re looking for more of a workout, the bike path continues all the way to Imperial Beach and South Bay. (You can even circle the entire San Diego Bay on bicycle and return to Coronado via the San Diego-Coronado Ferry). After the ride, a great spot for a late breakfast or early lunch is Clayton’s.  is Coronado’s beloved vintage diner that serves up great all-American breakfasts and Mexican food take-out food from the back.

Flex Your Inner History Buff 

Grab the tennis shoes and enjoy a number of walking tours in the Village.  The hosts two great tours throughout the week, each for $12 per person. One features a 90-minute walk of the historic Hotel del Coronado. The , also 90 minutes and led by a Coronado Historical Association volunteer, explores the famous architecture and residents of the island. A third option is the popular  which offers an excellent opportunity to tour historic landmarks of the island and departs from the (the former mansion of John D. Spreckles). It is an hour-and-a-half long walk and costs $12 for adults.

Workout With a View

For a completely free work out (no gym fees!) visit Tidelands Park on the San Diego bay side of the island. You can strap on roller blades and skate through the park and around the bay to the Coronado Ferry Landing. Or grab a bench overlooking the water and enjoy panoramic views of the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge and watch sailboats, paddle boarders and kayakers.  If skates aren’t your thing, the south side of the park has a free public exercise area complete with calisthenics stations for head-to-toe work out drills.

Coronado’s the place to be for picturesque views, plenty of outdoor activities, charming eateries and some very happy locals. Cheers to a healthy, active, fun-filled month on the island!

This article was originally published on The Coronado Real Estate Team website. 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?