Editor's Note: While we continue to practice social distancing (opens in new tab), we encourage readers to check the Centers for Disease Control website (opens in new tab) for the latest information on how to travel safely during the COVID-19 pandemic We encourage you to do so. In the meantime, bookmark this Instagram travel guide, and you'll love it.

Just a short ferry ride from San Diego, Coronado Island in Southern California is a picturesque resort destination with quiet beaches, charming main streets, and nearly perfect weather year-round. Bike along Orange Avenue, read a book by the pool, or enjoy a leisurely dinner of fresh seafood from the Pacific. For those who want more action, try kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or sailing in the clear blue waters.

Although called Coronado Island, it is actually a peninsula connected to the mainland by the Silver Strand, a long, narrow strip of land. The entire island was purchased in 1885 by Elisha Babcock and Hampton Storey, who built the magnificent Hotel del Coronado (open with new tab). Start your vacation there and explore the Coronado neighborhood for a relaxing and picturesque trip. Here are some spots not to be missed.

There are two beautiful ways to get to Coronado from downtown San Diego: first, drive across the impossibly high Coronado Bridge. Follow the curve and you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the San Diego skyline. There is an hourly service from Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego to the Ferry Landing Marketplace in Coronado.

The Hotel del Coronado (opens in new tab) may be best known as the setting for Marilyn Monroe's iconic film "I Like It Hot." Its grand architecture, with its bright red wood, rotunda, and Victorian exterior, has been designated a National Historic Landmark. Known to locals as "The Del," it offers beautifully restored rooms with a mix of charm and history. Newer parts of the hotel, such as the cabanas (see below for details), are modern and inviting with private patios. The adjacent Del Beach is open to the public, with beds available for rent for lounging during the day and a fire pit for roasting marshmallows at night.

If you're in vacation mode, rent a luxurious private cabana with a queen-size bed and sip cocktails by the pool. Grab your favorite book (open in new tab) and enjoy reading, or just relax while lunch and drinks are served.

A few steps from the sandy beach, Serƽa Coastal Cuisine (opens in new tab) offers an extensive menu of sustainable seafood with sunset views. Chef Jojo Ruiz's menu offers a full range of seafood, including draft beer, whole roasted fish, and seasonal produce. Start with a cocktail and Baja sunfish sashimi on the spacious patio seating area. For dessert, the Message in a Bottle ice cream sundae comes with a handwritten message.

Coronado's main street is Orange Avenue, an idyllic street lined with boutiques and cafes. While Coronado doesn't have a food-filled boardwalk, Orange Avenue is the place to go for a sweet treat, and be sure to stop by MooTime Creamery (open in new tab) for an afternoon ice cream. This nostalgic ice cream store is a Coronado staple, serving freshly baked waffle cones and handmade flavors.

Coronado Golf Course (opens in new tab) is a walkable par 72 course that offers gorgeous views of the bridge and downtown San Diego during a relaxing afternoon of play. Before the game, stop by Feast and Fareway (opens in new tab) for brunch with Bloody Mary's or enjoy happy hour after the game.

During your vacation, every day should start with a mimosa. Little Frenchie (open in new tab) is a Parisian-style cafe with a wonderful brunch menu that includes smoked salmon benedict on croissants and avocado tartine with poached eggs. Tell them to drink more and more mimosas while you watch the world go by at a table on the sidewalk.

One of the best ways to get around Coronado is by bicycle. It's a quiet street, and it's easy to cruise around San Diego Bay. Pack a picnic to bring to the beach or sit on the patio of Il Fornaio (opens in new tab) and enjoy the view while enjoying pasta and Italian wine. Try the Conchiglie Norcina con Pollo (black truffle and porcini mushrooms in a Grana Padano cream sauce).

If you like Coronado, book your trip here (opens in new tab).