Although Spanish missionaries first arrived in California in the 1700's, it did not become a United States Territory until 1847. California became the 31st state Sept 9, 1850. After an influx of settlers followed the discovery of gold in 1848, the state grew from 14,000 people to over 250,000 in just 4 years. Now it has over 38million people , more than 1/10 of the population of the United States.
People haven't changed- many are still inspired to find "their fortune and follow their dreams". No where else in the world is there such an opportunity than in America. The freedoms shared by each and every inhabitant should excite the senses and inspire the imagination of each and every American to "dream" and follow that "dream". Our successes and failures are direct results of our desire, ability and execution of our dreams. If one dreams, one can attain with hard work, wisdom and ambition.
DAY TRIP: CORONADO
Southern California, anchored by San Diego County, has a population of over 3 million people. With it's almost perfect temperature averaging in the mid 70's year round, it is a haven for outdoor fun. Traveling over the Coronado Bay Bridge is a treat that should not be missed!
Coronado, which has 18 parks nestled within it's borders of about eight square miles, is a wonderful place for a day trip and perfect for families. Tidelands Park is the first park you come to after crossing the Coronado Bridge. This park has it all! There is a huge field for soccer, volleyball, softball or just running around and having fun! There is a brand new playground for the little ones, a small swimming beach in the protected bay area, a skate park, lots of picnic tables and a bike path surrounding the park. And the view is incredible! It also has lots of fun photo spots.
There are plenty of bike rentals on Coronado, which make this an ideal way to see the sites. You can even rent family bikes!
One site that should not be missed on Coronado is the Hotel del Coronado. Hotel Coronado is an iconic beach hotel, established as a national historic landmark in 1977. The hotel was constructed in 1887. It is one of the few surviving examples of an American architectural genre: the wooden Victorian beach resort. It is the second largest wooden structure in the United States. It has hosted it's fair share of celebrities, including Errol Flynn, Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, and many more. Numerous presidents have also visited this historic hotel. Hotel Coronado has been the backdrop for many movies and tv shows. Renovations were completed in 2005 to a tune of $10,000,000.
Pacific Ocean parks, Bay parks, inland parks all make for a great place to spend the day. Like most beaches, Coronado is very popular with the locals, so if you can, visit during the week. Traffic across the bridge and around the town can get very congested.
If the bridge returning back to San Diego is congested or at a stand still, an alternative is to take Silver Strand Blvd (Hwy 75 continues) over to the mainland. This is a longer route, but it's a beautiful drive with the Pacific ocean on one side and San Diego Bay on the other. It does not seem to be as heavily traveled as the bridge. Hwy 75 will take you through Imperial Beach before connecting with Hwy 5. Don't get lost! You will only be a couple of miles from the Mexican Border!
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