A luxury California resort has a variety of options for playing, dining, and having fun in the sun – no matter what your age.

Enchantingly sprawled across a 5.5-mile-long peninsula, the charming seaside village of Coronado forms the western boundary of San Diego Bay. Its connection to downtown San Diego is the two-mile long Coronado Bridge that’s arched like a rainbow over the sea. While far from many of the city’s attractions, the area’s charm is its very casual feel. Loews Coronado Bay Resort is a beach getaway that contributes to the magic by luring generations of family members to the peninsula in classic California style.

It’s a family affair at the Loews Coronado with year-round unique activities that combine enjoyment, adventure and relaxation. You can take a healthy walk on the natural side, hiking or riding the bicycle trails. Typical of their commitment to wellness, the resort features Loews Hotels’ Adopt-a-Farmer program to provide guests with sustainably produced, locally raised food on every menu. For kids, the hotel offers Adopt-a-Tomato, an interactive dinner menu that teaches younger restaurant-goers the importance of supporting farmers and saving the environment.

Set on 15 sun-soaked acres studded with profusions of sweet-smelling gardens and bordered by the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay, the resort boasts spectacular panoramic views. The 439 rooms, including 47 suites, all share the ocean view, or overlook the picturesque marina or pool, and have a private balcony. Every room is splashed with a palette of pastel colors, and features incredibly comfortable beds and an oversize marble bathroom with separate showers and tubs.

Loews Family Programs

The Loews Loves Little Kids program, offered Saturday mornings for babies (six to 18-months) and toddlers (18 to 36-months), was developed for Loews by the childhood experts at Fisher-Price. Sessions include story readings, singing and tips on making the most of play at home or on-the-go. Kid’s Club at Coronado, for guests 4-12, offers a fun-filled supervised program, full or half-days, with exciting activities including arts ‘n’crafts, kid’s yoga, scavenger hunts, basketball, tennis, science programs and dive-in movies. Dinner is an option on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to10pm. T-Loews is designed to make teens feel like VIPs. Ages 13-17 receive a free Loews amenity kit with cool product samples at check-in. Kids also dig being able to borrow a Gameboy, DVD player, CD player, teen books and more. The new PBTeen Lounge features a pool table, PlayStation2, high-speed internet access, and two iChairs (rocking loungers that play their favorite tunes).

Pets can also take part in the fun with the Loews Loves Pets Program. For families who wish to travel with their pets, the resort offers litter boxes, special pet treats and toys, puppy papers, walking service, animal run grounds, pet sitters and a special pet menu that includes Bow Wow Tenderloin of Beef, Chow Hound Chicken, and Kitty’s Salmon Supreme.

On site, the resort has a range of enticing activities for families to enjoy together. There are three lighted, bayside tennis courts, three outdoor swimming pools (including an adult section), whirlpools and expansive deck areas. Active family members can bicycle, rollerblade, take out a waverunner, sailboat, motorboat or paddle boat, or visit the croquet courtyard.

There is direct access to Silver Strand State Beach via a private pedestrian underpass. Keep in mind that the walk through the underpass to the beach is not a short one, so if you have little ones or elders with you, use the hotel’s shuttle to take you there. Fun for all ages (and even the family dog) are surfing lessons and surf camps that are available at the Coronado Surfing Academy located on-site. Loews Family Concierges keep families in the swing of things like the ins and outs of walking routes and nearby family-friendly parks.

Dining at the Coronado

The resorts’ dining venues offer a variety of award-winning cuisines, superb service and alfresco dining options.  Loews Hotels’ Adopt-a-Farmer and Adopt-a-Tomato children’s menus reinforce healthy, California style dining habits.  Young restaurant-goers can order main courses such as a grilled chicken breast and petite tenderloin of beef. The colorful kids’ menu takes children on a journey through their surroundings and the impact they have on the planet. Fun facts and games incorporate recycling tips, energy-saving methods and other ways kids can help make a difference.

At the bottom of the menu, children are asked to write down Green Commitments which are then displayed on a large board outside the resort’s Kids’ Club. As a special gift at the end of the meal, kids receive complimentary tomato seeds to grow in their own garden at home.  “As a mother of three teenagers, I understand how difficult it can be to keep environmental issues at the forefront of our children’s day-to-day lives,” says Kathleen Cochran, general manager of Loews Coronado Bay Resort. “This menu allows children to have fun while learning something new, even while traveling.” 

The Market Café overlooks the resort’s bustling Crown Isle Marina and features casual, all-day, dockside dining. Breakfast features a variety of fresh, healthy fare with fruits, cereals and wonderful pastries. At lunch, while waiting for tasty delights such as seasonal salads, pizzas and other dishes that showcase the flavors and ingredients of San Diego, kids are kept busy with coloring bookds and crafts.  The restaurant is also popular with local families for its award-winning Sunday brunch.

The Mistral Mediterranean menu features locally-caught seafood, sustainable ingredients and fresh herbs from the resort’s private herb garden. The restaurant, with sweeping ocean views and a stellar menu, evokes a refined and relaxed ambience. 

La Cantina offers savory south-of-the-border delights and legendary mango margaritas at this lively poolside eatery. Cays Lounge is the place to settle into plush couches or relax on the terrace and enjoy the bay breezes while ordering your favorite appetizers. 

Adult Time Out at Loews

For adult “time out,” there’s pampering and indulgence at the Spa and Fitness Center. The 10,000-square foot Sea Spa features 15 luxurious treatment rooms, four outdoor treatment areas and a Vichy rain shower for a variety of massage, facial and body services. A tranquil spa patio is home to one of Southern California’s only Watsu (water Shiatsu) pools.

The fitness center’ s complimentary facilities feature weight-training equipment, treadmills, elliptical machines, exercise bikes and personal training. For tennis buffs there are three lighted bayside tennis courts with an on-site tennis pro offering personal instruction.

A unique highlight (located on property) is the Gondola Company, where adults (or the whole family) get to cruise in private gondolas through the canals of the Coronado Cays, complete with a serenading gondolier. Indulge in all the magic and tradition of Venice while traveling side by side on as many as five gondolas, or savor a more intimate evening of dining complimented by an appetizer or dessert plate (including chocolate-covered strawberries) aboard your gondola. For information and reservations, call 619/429-6317.

Nearby Southern California Outings

Continuing in the spirit of active fun and healthy food, everyone will enjoy nearby Legoland (One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad; 760/918-5346). This family theme park has everything based or built of brightly colored plastic Lego blocks.

Interactive rides and many kid-powered attractions include the hot “Pirate Shores.” The cornerstone here is the water play ride Splash Battle, featuring pirate ships that give kids and their families the chance to cruise through pirate-infested waters equipped with their very own water cannon. Enter into an exciting duel in Knights’ Tournament, a unique robotic ride on which guests cross a medieval moat, select the intensity of their ride, and then board one of six giant passenger-carrying robotic arms.

For younger kids, there’s Dino Island with a “Coastersaurus” roller coaster, dinosaur fossil dig and water-balloon fight. Miniland features a revamped New York City with an all-new Freedom Tower fashioned entirely of Lego bricks, as well as a recreation of the Obama Inauguration in front of the U.S. Capitol.

While here, enjoy dining at Ristorante Brickolini, Funtown Market, The Knights’ Table Barbecue, Sports Café, and Garden Restaurant, all with a variety of fresh wholesome family style food.

Photos by Mel Greenberg