We have 3 nights at a business function in Coronado in July with lots of open time. What "off the beaten path" ideas can fodorities help us with? We're 50-something, love the outdoors, botanic gardens, wildlife, hiking, not big shoppers or beach-goers. What do the locals love to do? Is the Helen Woodward Sanctuary a maybe (we can't adopt-we have 4 rescues at home).
Thanks,
ceili

For wildlife, you might like the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/park/

Rent a bike in Coronado. It's fun to cruise the neighborhoods. Go to North Beach at sunset..There is a no leash area for dogs on the beach. You can see a nice sunset and lots of happy dogs.
The Presidio in San Diego is a pleasant place to stroll, as is the Prado in Balboa park.

http://www.artforwildlife.com/ABOUT/ABOUT.html

http://www.sanelijo.org/
Guided Natural walks, San Elijo LAgoon with docent. I particularly like the Kumeyaay (American Indian) education how they lived off the land.

Bring good shoes, hat, binoculars andwatch out for rattle snaks. Good picture on teh website.

Sorry about the misspells above,should be snakes not snak!

Below is one of my favorite places..they rescue and save large animals and always need donations.
http://www.lionstigersandbears.org/VisitUs.aspx

It's not 'off the beaten path' but maybe this will interest you.


http://www.nps.gov/cabr/

Thanks for the suggestions! Can we interact with anything at lionstigersandbears? Is it ok to go at feeding time? What times are the animals most active? The biking sounds fun too. I used to live on Cabrillo Ave about 50 years ago so I'll try to find our old house. Any especially awesome neighborhood to seek out? Favorite restaurants to recommend-I'm vegetarian, love ethnic food, but don't limit my husband to those restaurants.
Ceili