Coronado, California

City of Coronado
—  City  —
Coronado with Hotel del Coronado in foreground
Nickname(s): The Crown City
Location in San Diego County and the state of California
Coordinates: 32°40′41″N 117°10′21″W / 32.67806°N 117.1725°W / 32.67806; -117.1725Coordinates: 32°40′41″N 117°10′21″W / 32.67806°N 117.1725°W / 32.67806; -117.1725
Country	USA
State	California
County	San Diego
Area[1]
– Total	32.666 sq mi (84.603 km2)
– Land	7.931 sq mi (20.541 km2)
– Water	24.735 sq mi (64.062 km2)  75.72%
Elevation	20 ft (6 m)
Population (2010)[2][3]
– Total	24,697
– Density	756/sq mi (291.9/km2)
Time zone	PST (UTC-8)
– Summer (DST)	PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP codes	92118, 92178
Area code(s)	619
FIPS code	06-16378
GNIS feature ID	1660513
Website	http://www.coronado.ca.us/

Coronado, also known as Coronado Island, is an affluent resort city located in San Diego County, California, 5.2 miles from downtown San Diego.^[4] Its population was 24,697 at the 2010 census,^[5][6] up from 24,100 at the 2000 census. U.S. News and World Report lists Coronado as one of the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Coronado lies on a peninsula connected to the mainland by a 10-mile isthmus called the Silver Strand (locally, The Strand.) Locals sometimes call Coronado The Island or Coronado Island, and they denote the core living and business area as The Village. In 2011, Stephen Leatherman (Dr. Beach) ranked Coronado Beach as the second best beach in the United States.^[7]

Coronado is Spanish for "the crowned one," and thus it is nicknamed The Crown City. There have been three ships of the United States Navy named after the city, including USS Coronado (LCS-4).

History

The city became a major resort destination in 1888 with the opening of the Hotel del Coronado. In 1900 a tourist/vacation area just south of the Hotel del Coronado was established by John D. Spreckels and named Tent City.^[8] Over the years the tents gave way to cottages, the last of which was torn down in late 1940 or early 1941.

In the 1910s, Coronado was connected to San Diego by the Class 1 streetcars and an extensive, accompanying San Diego public transit system that was spurred by the Panama-California Exposition of 1915 and built by John D. Spreckels. These streetcars became a fixture of this city until their retirement in 1939.^{[9][unreliable source?]}

Geography

Coronado bridge

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 32.7 square miles (85 km²); 20.5 km² (7.9 mi²) of the city is land and 24.7 square miles (64 km²) of it (75.72%) is water.

Originally Coronado was separated from North Island by a shallow channel called the Spanish Bight. The development of North Island by the United States Navy prior to World War II led to the filling of the Bight, combining the land areas into a single body. The Navy still operates Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI or "North Island") on Coronado. On the southern side of the town is Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, a training center for Navy SEALs. Both facilities are part of the larger Naval Base Coronado complex.

On New Year's Day 1937, during the Great Depression, the gambling ship SS Monte Carlo, known for "drinks, dice, and dolls," was shipwrecked on the beach about a quarter mile south of the Hotel del Coronado.^[10]

In 1969, the San Diego-Coronado Bridge was opened, allowing much faster transit between the cities than bay ferries or driving via State Route 75 along the Silver Strand. The city is currently weighing the options of additional construction on Highway 75 to alleviate congestion as traffic flows to and from San Diego and North Island.

Coronado beach 2009

Demographics

A cottage accommodation at the Hotel Del Coronado

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Coronado city had a population of 24,697. The racial makeup of Coronado city was 20,074 (81.2%) White, 1,678 (6.8%) African American, 201 (0.8%) Native American, 925 (3.7%) Asian, 101 (0.4%) Pacific Islander, 762 (3.1%) from other races, and 956 (3.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3,354 persons (13.6%).^[11][3]

2000

As of the 2000 census,^[12] there were 24,100 people, 7,734 households, and 4,934 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,121.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,205.3/km²). There were 9,494 housing units at an average density of 1,229.8 per square mile (474.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.40% White, 5.15% African American, 0.66% Native American, 3.72% Asian, 0.30% Pacific Islander, 3.14% from other races, and 2.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.83% of the population.

There were 7,734 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city the population was spread out with 16.0% under the age of 18, 20.2% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 139.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 149.1 males.

48.2% of those age 25 and over have a Bachelor's degree or higher. According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city is $91,748,^[13] and the median income for a family is $119,205.^[14] Males have a median income of $30,041 versus $33,828 for females. In 2008, the estimated per capita income for the city was $44,878.^[4] 5.0% of the population and 3.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.0% of those under the age of 18 and 1.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Like many other locations in Southern California, real estate in the city of Coronado is very expensive. A small and very modest two bedroom home in the city can easily cost over $1,000,000. According to a recent County-Wide Zip Code chart published in the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper in August 2006, the median cost of a single-family home within the city's zip code of 92118 was $1,605,000. In 2010, Forbes.com found that the median home price in Coronado had risen to $1,840,665.^[15] This makes it the third most expensive place to live in San Diego County and one of the most expensive in the country, as it holds a spot within the top 20 most expensive cities in the United States.

Politics

Coronado has long been a Republican-leaning community; in 2008, about 51% of voters were registered Republican, 25% Democrat and 21% nonpartisan. Many of its residents are retired Navy personnel. The district is also sheltered both politically and socially from the concerns of the wider San Diego metropolitan area, making its residents more connected to local issues and events^{[citation needed]}.

In the state legislature Coronado is located in the 40th Senate District, represented by Democrat Denise Moreno Ducheny, and in the 79th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Mary Salas. Federally, Coronado is located in California's 53rd congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +14^[16] and is represented by Democrat Susan Davis.

Tourism

Coronado Bay Bridge

Tourism is an essential component of Coronado's economy.^[17] This city is home to three major resorts (Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado Island Marriott and Loews Coronado Bay Resort) as well as several other hotels and inns.^[18] The downtown district along Orange Avenue with its many shops, restaurants and theaters is also a key part of the local economy. Many of the restaurants are highly rated and provide a wide variety of cuisine choices.^[18]

In 2008, The Travel Channel rated Coronado Beach as the fifth best beach in America.

Coronado is home to two live theatre companies – Lamb's Players Theatre and the Coronado Playhouse. The latter being the oldest community theatre in San Diego County. It was first organized as the Coronado Players in February of 1946. Both theatres present a variety of performances throughout the year.^[17]

Businesses based in Coronado include Benetrends and Cybernetics Leadership Center.^[17]

Coronado was featured in the 1960–1961 syndicated television series COronado 9, starring Rod Cameron as a private detective, Dan Adams, who operated from the San Diego area. COronado 9 refers to Adams' telephone exchange.

Local festivals

The most popular annual event is the July 4 parade. Coronado Independence Day activities kick off with a 15k Run/Walk at dawn. The day includes a rough-water swim at North Beach, the famous two-hour parade along Orange Avenue, Art-in-the-Park, a concert in Spreckels Park, and culminates with spectacular fireworks over Glorietta Bay.

One of the most popular annual events in this city is the Coronado Flower Show, held usually on the third weekend in April. Since 1925 thousands of visitors have flocked here to see the largest flower show held under tents in the West. Exhibits are placed inside tents surrounding a central gazebo, which becomes the stage for continuous entertainment, announcements and trophy presentations.^[19]

Coronado Island Sports Fiesta is sponsored by the local Optimist Club every year. Held in July this sports festival features a combination of competitive races, dives, rough-water swim and other events.^[17]

Hotel del Coronado

Front view of the Hotel del Coronado.

Main article: Hotel del Coronado

Coronado is home to the famous Hotel del Coronado, built in 1888 and long considered one of the world's top resorts^{[citation needed]}. It is listed as a National Historic Landmark and appeared in films such as Some Like It Hot and The Stunt Man. It was the setting of the Dashboard Confessional song Stolen. The historic hotel has had many notable American guests, including Charles Lindbergh, Thomas Edison, Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Willie Mays, Magic Johnson, and Muhammad Ali.^{[citation needed]} Many presidents have also visited, including William Howard Taft, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and George H.W. Bush.

"The Del" was supposedly also the inspiration for the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz. (However, other sources say Oz was inspired by the "White City" of the Chicago World's Fair of 1893.^[20][21]) Author L. Frank Baum would have been able to see the hotel from his front porch overlooking Star Park. Baum designed the crown chandeliers in the hotel's dining room.^[22] Because of the reported association with Oz, Coronado is often associated with the color green and is sometimes referred to as "The Emerald City". The colors of Coronado High are green and white; the Coronado city flag is a tricolor of green-white-green with a crown in the middle; and a local surf/skate shop is named Emerald City. The hotel is said to be haunted, with room 3372 being visited by the ghost of Kate Morgan.

Once owned locally,^[23] the Hotel Del is now owned by Blackstone Group LP (60%), Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc. (34.5%), and KSL Resorts (5.5%). When Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc. bought its stake in 2006, the hotel was valued at $745 million; currently, the hotel is valued at roughly $590 million.^[24]

Schools

Coronado Unified School District includes Coronado Middle School (CMS), Coronado High School, Silver Strand Elementary, and Village Elementary. Coronado School of the Arts, a public school-within-a-school on the campus of Coronado High School, is also present on the island. Among the private schools are Sacred Heart Parish School and Christ Church Day School.

Economy

Top employers

According to the City's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,^[25] the top employers in the city are:

#	Employer	# of Employees
1	United States Navy (Naval Air Station North Island, et al.)	5,000–9,999
2	Hotel del Coronado	500–999
3	Sharp Coronado Hospital	500–999
4	Loews Coronado Bay Resort	500–999
5	Coronado Unified School District	250–600
6	Coronado Island Marriott Resort	250–499
7	City of Coronado	250–499
8	BAE Systems	100–249
9	Peohe's	100–249

Notable residents

Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads, 1978

Arts and entertainment

• Landis Everson – Poet

Film and television

• Johnny Downs – Child actor who played "Johnny" in the Our Gang series of short films from 1923 to 1926
• Lloyd Haynes – Actor and television writer
• Mae Hotely – Silent film actress who appeared in 85 films between 1911 and 1929
• Anita Page – Silent film actress
• Sarah Roemer – Actress and model who recently starred in 2007's Disturbia with Shia LaBeouf^[26]
• Tim Thomerson – Actor and comedian. Known for his portrayal of Jack Deth in the Trancers film series
• William Witney – Movie director^[27]

Music

• Kevin Kenner – Concert pianist
• Nick Reynolds – founding member of The Kingston Trio
• Scott Weiland – Current lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots, former lead singer of Velvet Revolver.^[28]
• Mojo Nixon Musician and radio host
• Tina Weymouth – Bassist and vocalist of Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club
• Paul Sykes (singer)

Sports

• Chad Fox – Major League Baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, Florida Marlins (including the 2003 World Series championship team), and Chicago Cubs
• Cam Cameron – Offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, previously for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League
• Fulton Kuykendall – former National Football League football player
• Jim Laslavic – former National Football League linebacker
• William Thayer Tutt – Past president of the International Ice Hockey Federation, member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame and the Hockey Hall of Fame
• Layne Beaubien – 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist for USA Water Polo
• Ken Huff – former National Football League player
• Sven Salumaa – former professional tennis player

Commerce

• Orville Redenbacher – Businessman behind the eponymous leading brand of popcorn
• John D. Spreckels
• Jonah Shacknai (CEO of Medicis Pharmaceutical) and his girlfriend Rebecca Zahau^[29]

Military

Marine Corps

• General Joseph Henry Pendleton, USMC – Mayor of Coronado from 1928 to 1930, namesake of Camp Pendleton
• Major General John H. Russell, Jr., USMC – 16th Commandant of the Marine Corps, son of Rear Admiral John Henry Russell, USN and father of Brooke Astor, noted philanthropist.

Navy

• Captain Ward Boston, USN – World War II Navy fighter pilot, then attorney for the Naval Board of Review which investigated the 1967 USS Liberty Incident
• Admiral Leon A. Edney, USN^[30]
• Admiral Thomas B. Fargo, USN – Inspiration for the fictional Captain Bart Mancuso in the film The Hunt for Red October
• Marcus Luttrell, USN – US Navy SEAL – Author Lone Survivor
• John S. McCain, Sr. – Grandfather of Arizona senator and U.S. presidential candidate John McCain
• Admiral George Stephen Morrison, USN – Father of The Doors' late lead singer, Jim Morrison
• Commander Alan G. Poindexter, USN – NASA astronaut and Navy test pilot
• Rear Admiral Uriel Sebree, USN – Made two Arctic expeditions, was the second acting governor of American Samoa, and served as commander-in-chief of the Pacific Fleet
• Commander Earl Winfield Spencer, Jr., USN – First commanding officer of Naval Air Station San Diego
• Vice Admiral James Stockdale, USN – Medal of Honor recipient and 1992 candidate for Vice President with Ross Perot
• Admiral Charles K. Duncan, USN Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic/Commander in Chief, United States Atlantic Command/Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (SACLANT/CINCLANT/CINCLANTFLT) from 1970 to 1972.

Politics and government

L. Frank Baum, circa 1901

• Brian Bilbray – Republican politician and member of the United States House of Representatives
• Alexander Butterfield – White House deputy assistant to Richard Nixon from 1969 until 1973, a key figure in the Watergate scandal.
• Don Davis – Politician
• Duncan Hunter – Congressman^[31]

• M. Larry Lawrence – US Ambassador to Switzerland and owner of Hotel del Coronado.
• John McCain – Senator^[32]
• Cindy Hensley McCain^[33]
• Nathan Oakes Murphy – Republican delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona Territory and 14th governor of the Territory
• Dana Rohrabacher – Republican politician and member of the United States House of Representatives
• Donald Rumsfeld – former Secretary of Defense.^[34]
• Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, American-born wife of abdicated King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

Other

• Kate Morgan – alleged resident ghost at Hotel Del Coronado
• L. Frank Baum – Author, famous for writing the Wizard of Oz, and many other children's books

References

1. ^ "U.S. Census". http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt. Retrieved September 2, 2011. 
2. ^ "2010 Census P.L. 94-171 Summary File Data". United States Census Bureau. http://www2.census.gov/census_2010/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/California/. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Census Bureau's acknowledgment or miscoding some of Coronado's & San Diego's census blocks" (PDF). http://www.census.gov/rdo/pdf/CA_errata.pdf. Retrieved September 2, 2011. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "Best places for the rich and single". CNN. July 13, 2009. http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/moneymag/0906/gallery.bplive_richsingles.moneymag/3.html/. Retrieved April 30, 2010. 
5. ^ "2010 Census P.L. 94-171 Summary File Data". United States Census Bureau. http://www2.census.gov/census_2010/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/California/. 
6. ^ "Census Bureau's acknowledgment or miscoding some of Coronado's & San Diego's census blocks" (PDF). http://www.census.gov/rdo/pdf/CA_errata.pdf. Retrieved September 2, 2011. 
7. ^ "The Best Beaches in America, 2011". Drbeach.org. http://www.drbeach.org/Detailed%20List.htm. Retrieved September 2, 2011. 
8. ^ University of San Diego
9. ^ "The Home of the San Diego Historic Class 1Streetcars". Sandiegohistoricstreetcars.org. http://sandiegohistoricstreetcars.org/. Retrieved September 2, 2011. 
10. ^ Graham, David E (Jan. 2, 2007). "Busting the House: Casino Boat Drashed into Coronado 70 Years Ago". SignOnSanDiego (San Diego: Union Tribune). http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070102-9999-1m2ship.html. Retrieved Mar. 19, 2011. 
11. ^ "2010 Census P.L. 94-171 Summary File Data". United States Census Bureau. http://www2.census.gov/census_2010/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/California/. 
12. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
13. ^ "Site Map – Coronado Chamber of Commerce". Coronadochamber.com. June 21, 2010. http://www.coronadochamber.com/about/demographics.asp. Retrieved September 2, 2011. 
14. ^ Posted by eCoronado on August 16, 2011 at 12:30 am View Blog (August 16, 2011). "CNNMoney Ranks Coronado #8: Best Places for the Rich & Single – Coronado Island". eCoronado.com. http://www.ecoronado.com/profiles/blogs/cnnmoney-ranks-coronado-8-best-places-for-the-rich-single. Retrieved September 2, 2011. 
15. ^ Ewalt, David (September 27, 2010). "Forbes Luxury Housing Index". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/zipcodes/2010/zipspage.html?zip=92118&city=Coronado. 
16. ^ "Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest?". Campaign Legal Center Blog. http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html. Retrieved February 10, 2008. 
17. ^ ^{a b c d} "Coronado Chamber of Commerce". Coronadochamber.com. June 21, 2010. http://www.coronadochamber.com. Retrieved September 2, 2011. 
18. ^ ^{a b} "California Resort Life". California Resort Life. http://www.californiaresortlife.com/sandiego/coronado.htm. Retrieved September 2, 2011. 
19. ^ Coronado Flower Show
20. ^ Chicago Tribune, August 30, 2009^{[dead link]}
21. ^ Larson, Erik, The Devil in the White City, page 373, Vintage Books, New York, 2003, ISBN # 0-375-72560-1
22. ^ "Crown Room". KSL Resorts (Hotel del Coronado). http://www.hoteldel.com/meeting-facilities.aspx. Retrieved February 20, 2011. 
23. ^ "Historic Hotel del Coronado acquired by Travelers affiliate". findarticles.com (Business Wire). September 12, 1996. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_/ai_18674220. Retrieved October 20, 2008. 
24. ^ Hudson, Kris (February 7, 2011). "Deal for Historic San Diego Hotel Adds Blackstone, Cashes Out KKR". The Wall Street Journal. http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2011/02/07/deal-for-historic-san-diego-hotel-adds-blackstone-cashes-out-kkr/. Retrieved February 16, 2011. 
25. ^ "City of Coronado CAFR" (PDF). http://www.coronado.ca.us/egov/docs/1262202381_413482.pdf. Retrieved September 2, 2011. 
26. ^ San Diego Metropolitan – San Diego Scene – March 2002^{[dead link]}
27. ^ "Obituaries; William Witney, 86; B-Movie Action Director". Los Angeles Times. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/110612070.html?dids=110612070:110612070&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Mar+18%2C+2002&author=DENNIS+McLELLAN&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Obituaries%3B+William+Witney%2C+86%3B+B-Movie+Action+Director. Retrieved September 3, 2011. 
28. ^ San Diego CityBeat – They fought the law^{[dead link]}
29. ^ Davis, Kristina; Littlefield, Dana; Repart, Pauline (September 2, 2011), "Shacknai, family speak out on mansion suicide ruling", San Diego Union-Tribune, http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/sep/02/coronado-mansion-death-ruled-suicide/, retrieved September 9, 2011 
30. ^ "LEON A EDNEY – CORONADO, CA 92118 – Money, Government Contracts in 2004 – 1037 ENCINO ROW". Governmentcontractswon.com. January 13, 2004. http://www.governmentcontractswon.com/department/defense/leon_a_edney_092917876.asp?yr=04. Retrieved September 2, 2011. 
31. ^ Hunter got break on taxes for home. San Diego Union Tribune, October 8, 2006.
32. ^ Nagourney, Adam (May 3, 2007). "G.O.P. Contenders Ponder What to Say About Bush". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/us/politics/03repubs.html. Retrieved April 30, 2010. 
33. ^ Turegano, Preston. "Cindy McCain – San Diego Magazine – August 2007 – San Diego, California". San Diego Magazine. http://sandiegomagazine.com/media/San-Diego-Magazine/August-2007/Cindy-McCain/. Retrieved September 2, 2011. 
34. ^ "DefenseLink News Transcript: Secretary Rumsfeld Interview with Roger Hedgecock, Newsradio 600 KOGO". Defenselink.mil. http://www.defenselink.mil/Transcripts/Transcript.aspx?TranscriptID=3364. Retrieved September 2, 2011. 

External links

• The City of Coronado Official Website
• Coronado Historical Association
• High Resolution Aerial Photo of Coronado
• Coronado Beach Photos and Maps