5 ways W.I.T.H. IT women can Walk on Water during May

We all need to balance work and other aspects of life including leisure activities. We all need to take time to celebrate life. May is a month of celebrations, from Cinco de Mayo to Mother’s Day to Memorial Day. I love to walk and what better way to take in the essence of the city than to take a stroll along San Diego’s waterfront. Spanish Landing Park, Harbor Island Park, Embarcadero Marina Park North, Embarcadero Marina Park South, and Coronado Landing Park are 5 ways to take in the central part of San Diego Bay by yourself or with a loved one on a leisurely and interesting walk enjoying the water, skyline, gentle breeze, and the colorful sights and people you will meet along the way.

There are so many reasons to celebrate – this is one of the reasons I love being part of this industry. We love to celebrate! Not just the extraordinary people, places and attractions, (we will talk about those later) but also the ordinary things I do with family and friends. Check out this great site I found that has so much information about free things to do in San Diego. What are the ways that you balance your biz- life with small inexpensive celebrations in our city? Leave your comments, we want to hear from you.

Spanish Landing Park

Probably the easiest place to begin your water walks is at Spanish Landing Park. The well-kept secret park is right across from the San Diego International Airport. Depending on the time you have, you can walk the loop and take the curved pathway through the cancer survivors memorial, stay in the park, and sit on one of the benches and enjoy views of the Marina before returning to your car. If you have time you can continue north, under N. Harbor Drive and walk to Liberty Station or you can walk west to Harbor Island. Parking is only $1.00/hour and you can bring your dog on a leash.

Harbor Island Park

Adjacent to Spanish Landing Park is Harbor Island Park. If you have about an hour nothing is better than an evening stroll walking the entire island along the shoreline path. There are grassy spots, shade trees and benches to sit, listen to the sound of the water on the rocks, and enjoy the spectacular view of the city skyline as the sunset turns all the buildings to gold. You can see the aircraft carriers and watch the helicopters take off and land from North Island Naval base across the bay. You can even fish if you have a license. Parking is available but scarce. You can bring your dog on a leash.

As you leave Harbor Island you can continue on a 3-mile concrete path that meanders along N Harbor Drive from the airport to Seaport Village. This walk is a great way to get out and get some sunshine and exercise! Walking allows you to experience the entire area including the ships in the Maritime Museum. Don’t miss the USS Midway Museum with its famous Unconditional Surrender Kiss statue. When you pass the National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military take a minute to listen to a continuous recording of the jokes he used to tell in his role entertaining our troops. There are benches along the way if you want to stop, watch the boats and enjoy the sun and water. Lots of things to see and do and places to eat. If you want to get your toes wet and take in the views of the Harbor, stop by Waterfront Park.

Embarcadero Marina Park North

Keep walking south to Embarcadero Marina Park. The area is really two parks Embarcadero Marina Park North and Embarcadero Marina Park South. Reach the parks walking along the Embarcadero Footpath that runs past Seaport Village, the Manchester Grand Hyatt, the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, and the San Diego Convention Center Corporation to the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel. Even though the parks are located near the lively San Diego Gaslamp District, they have lots of open green space and a relaxed atmosphere. There are some beautiful boats in the marina and photographic views toward the Coronado Bridge and Coronado Island. You can bring your dog on a leash.

One way to visit Coronado Island is to take the 15-minute ferry ride across the bay to Coronado Landing Park. Two ferry routes depart every hour from Broadway Pier and the San Diego Convention Center. Enjoy a piece of history aboard the oldest wooden working ferry in the US. Once known as “the nickel snatcher”, this ferry ride now costs $5.00 One Way. If you are an early bird you can ride free during early commuter hours between 5:40 am and 8:50 am (applies only to Coronado residents and San Diego military). Only service animals are allowed on the Coronado Ferry.

Coronado Beach

Once you arrive at the pier, walk a few steps to Coronado Landing Park. The Coronado Ferry Landing is more than just the pier - It’s great for a relaxing stroll and to enjoy the food, the shops and the views of San Diego Bay with the breathtaking San Diego city skyline in the backdrop. If you take the ferry you can go back the same way, or you can ride by vehicle back over the Coronado Bridge that links Coronado and San Diego.

You can find more info and maps about each of these locations at the Port of SanDiego website.