Coronado Times

Coronado School of the Arts first annual Showcase Night
2025-12-09 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Coronado Performing Arts Center, 650 D Avenue, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
CoSA Dance Conservatory. Photo by Kel Casey, courtesy of CUSD.
Enjoy an evening of free performances, films, animations, behind the scenes documentaries of the Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) visual art studio, and technical theatre productions on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 6 pm in the Coronado Performing Arts Center at 650 D Avenue.

Art lovers of all ages across San Diego are encouraged to attend this fun, family friendly, and free event. Information about 2026-2027 applications for prospective CoSA students will be available in the lobby as well as information for potential Board Members, Community Supporters and Patrons of the Arts.
Conservatory of Classical and Contemporary Dance senior, Eleanor McClelland shares that she “found a group of friends and immediately felt connected to the school.” Visual Arts junior, Wendy Alcaraz, who will be sharing one of her original fashion designs at the Showcase recalls, “All the artists learn from one another and in my first year, half of my time was invested in watching others create and learning from their strengths.” Guests will have an opportunity to meet student artists, CoSA Foundation Board Members and faculty of the Coronado School of the Arts.
See why CoSA is a Life Changer.
CoSA Visual Arts Conservatory.. Photo courtesy of CUSD.
About CoSA
Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) is San Diego County’s premier public school arts conservatory, home to 200 scholar artists grades 9 through 12, who attend the nationally ranked Coronado High School. CoSA provides an intense, pre-professional arts education to students from Coronado and from all over San Diego, who are admitted after a competitive application/audition process.
Each school day, CoSA offers approximately three hours of instruction, pairing young artists with educators who are also industry specialists. With a curriculum designed by professional artist/educators, students are immersed in their chosen specialty in one of six conservatories: Classical and Contemporary Dance, Digital Arts (Animation, Filmmaking and Graphic Design), Instrumental Music, Musical Theatre & Drama, Theatre Production, Design & Management and Visual Art. CoSA is a State of California-approved Career Technical Education program.

Coronado School of the Arts Visual Arts Conservatory "All at Once" exhibition and fashion show
2025-12-11 17:30 - 19:00 | Black Box Theater 650 D Avenue, Coronado, 92118
COSA Visual Arts. Courtesy CUSD
Come experience “All at Once,” an exhibition of original artworks, live model figure drawings and a student designed fashion show. The opening reception for the exhibit is free and open to the public on Thursday, Dec. 11 starting at 5:30 pm and closing at 7 pm in the Black Box Gallery on the Coronado High School campus, 650 D Avenue.
You won’t want to miss the fashion show which hits the runway at 6 pm.
Aspiring fashion designer and visual art student, Wendy Alcaraz collaborated with her fellow artists to design a clothing line based on artworks produced in the studio. The artworks will be projected as the artists themselves model the clothing inspired by their artworks. This year there will be digital illustrations on display. Junior Isabella Vilcans will display some prized hand-blown glass. Some of the most stunning figure drawings we have had in years will be featured in the show. The evening will also include an extensive exhibit of paintings and drawings from studio workshops as well as original bodies of artwork and a Senior Showcase highlighting choice pieces from the graduating class of 2026’s four years of study.
Come and delight in the array of creativity … All at Once!
About CoSA
Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) is San Diego County’s premier public school arts conservatory, home to 200 scholar artists grades 9 through 12, who attend the nationally ranked Coronado High School. CoSA provides an intense, pre-professional arts education to students from Coronado and from all over San Diego, who are admitted after a competitive application/audition process.
Each school day CoSA offers three or more hours of instruction, pairing young artists with educators who are also industry specialists. With a curriculum designed by professional artist/educators, students are immersed in their chosen specialty in one of six conservatories: Classical and Contemporary Dance, Digital Arts (Animation, Filmmaking and Graphic Design), Instrumental Music, Musical Theatre & Drama, Theatre Production, Design & Management and Visual Art. CoSA is a State of California-approved Career Technical Education program.

Mystery Book Club: "Playing for the Ashes"
2025-12-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Public Library’s Mystery Book club meets regularly on the third Monday of each month. Receive reminder emails about our meeting by registering. Registration is encouraged but not required.

This month we will be discussing Playing for the Ashes by Elizabeth George. Check out the book in print from the Coronado Library catalog by clicking here, or ebook and e-audiobook format by checking the catalogs of your Libby and CloudLibrary apps.

Best of the Best Book Club: "A Psalm for the Wild-Built" by Becky Chambers
2025-12-17 11:00 - 12:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Public Library’s Best of the Best Book Club meets regularly on the fourth Wednesday of each month to discuss books that have won major awards. Please note the different date this month due to the holiday.
For our December meeting, we will discuss the 2022 Hugo Award winner A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers, a novel that asks us: in a world where people have what they want, does having more matter?
Place this title on hold via our online catalog, or check out the e-book through the CloudLibrary app.

About A Psalm for the Wild-Built
It’s been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend.
One day, the life of a tea monk is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of “what do people need?” is answered.
But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how.
They’re going to need to ask it a lot.

CHS interns: America250 Project presentations
2025-12-17 15:00 - 16:00 | 1000 Orange Ave, 1000 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Join the Coronado Historical Association and the Coronado Public Library for special presentations by the fall 2025 Coronado High School interns. In celebration of America’s upcoming 250th Anniversary, the interns will share their projects, which feature interviews with members of the Coronado High School Class of 1976.
This event is free and open to the public. No RSVP required. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Tween Dungeons and Dragons Club
2025-12-19 15:30 - 17:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Tween Dungeons and Dragons Club is for students aged 8-13. Beginners are welcome and Dungeon Masters are provided by The Goblin Guild.
Registration is required as we have a very limited number of seats. Walk-ins may not be accommodated.
This program is made possible by the Friends of Coronado Library.

Poetry for the People
2026-01-07 11:00 - 12:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
This year’s course will feature poems by state poets laureate. The responsibility of a State Poet Laureate is essentially the same as the U.S Poets Laureate, “…to make public appearances at poetry readings or literary events and to promote awareness of poetry.” 46 states and the District of Columbia have a State Poet Laureate, most appointed for a one or two-year term.
Those participating in Poetry For The People XXlll will read selections from these State Poet Laureates and, most importantly, are encouraged to bring to the discussions their own insights, observations and perceptions. Class members’ contributions are a vital part of the class experience.

Chuck Kamar received his bachelor’s from Boston State and his master’s from Boston University. He taught for 34 years in the Newton Public Schools, the last 20 of which were at Newton North High School. In 1998 he won the Paul E. Elicker Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Register to receive reminder emails for this series. Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Wine & Lecture: Coronado's Owners Before the Beach Company - SOLD OUT
2026-01-15 17:30 - 19:00 | 1000 Orange Ave, 1000 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Registration has closed as the event is full.
The Coronado Historical Association invites you to the first lecture in the 2026 Spring Wine & Lecture Series, Coronado’s Owners Before the Beach Company: A Cast of Characters. Join us as Christian Esquevin helps us discover Coronado’s history before Babcock and Story. Coronado’s long history is witnessed on land titles, bearing names like a 19th-century novel, which stretch back to the Mexican land grants and the days of whaling ships in Coronado. A review of those names discovers important persons in the history of California and the country.
Join us on Thursday, January 15, at 5:30 pm for a wine & cheese reception followed by the lecture from 6 to 7 pm.
Tickets are available
Register Now

Member – $15 each
Non-Member – $20 each

Important Registration Information: Capacity is limited, and reservations are required. Please be aware that tickets for the wine & lecture events are non-refundable, as proceeds support our educational mission.
If you have any questions, please email info@coronadohistory.org or call 619-435-7242.

About the Speaker
Christian Esquevin was born in Marseille, France. He grew up in Los Angeles and attended California State University, Los Angeles, with a B.A. in Anthropology, followed by a Masters in Library Science from the University of Southern California. He served 30 years as Director of the Coronado Public Library from 1988 to 2018, where he oversaw the major expansion and remodel of the library building, including the restoration and addition of the Ramos Martinez “La Avenida” murals.
Esquevin received the “Jewel in Our Crown Award” from the Coronado Historical Association in 2008 and the “Coronado Citizen of the Year Award” from the Coronado Private Bank in 2016. He is currently president of the Coronado Roundtable and also serves on CHA’s Acquisitions Committee.
Esquevin is the author of Adrian: Silver Screen to Custom Label, published by the Monacelli Press, New York, 2008. His recent book is Designing Hollywood: Studio Wardrobe in the Golden Age, published by the University Press of Kentucky, 2023.
He is married to Sydney Stanley and lives in Coronado.

Island Icon Induction Ceremony
2026-01-16 17:00 - 18:00 | 1000 Orange Ave, 1000 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Historical Association is thrilled to invite you to attend the Island Icon Induction Ceremony, where we will be honoring the 2024/2025 icons who participated in this crucial initiative for capturing local history. We hope you can join us!
2024 Inductees
Sherry Martin
Marco Palumbo
Gus & Emma Thompson
Bill Hiscock
Susan Keith
Emily & Joe Talbert
Doug St. Denis
2025 Inductees
Beverly Bass
Tippy Thibodeau
Ron Mandelbaum
Susie Vetter
Bill Lemei
Norma Nicolls
Liza Butler
George Lanman

Rose pruning workshop
2026-01-17 09:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Image by Arturs Budkevics from Pixabay
Learn how to prune roses on at the Harlow Rose Garden in front of the Library. Please bring sharp bypass pruners and gloves to participate in this hands-on workshop. This event is also an opportunity to get information about fertilizing roses, as well as dealing with pests and fungal diseases. This free event commences at 9 am and is open to the public and led by Consulting Rosarian and Master Gardener, Rita Perwich, Master Gardeners Maria Mata and Carvill Veech, and Consulting Rosarian Natalie Stout.
The Master Gardener Tool Committee will be on-site starting at 8:30 am to provide free cleaning and sharpening of one pair of pruners or loppers for each attendee of the workshop. Tools must be in good working condition to be cleaned and sharpened.

Chanoyu Japanese Tea Ceremony
2026-02-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Choose Healthy, 171 C Avenue, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Experience a moment of tranquility and tradition at a Japanese tea ceremony (Chado) presented by Sokei, Morita, certified and experienced tea master. She has been practicing Chado for 18 years with the intention of bringing piece of mind, which is a universal human desire. Join us for a formal tea preparation where we will honor the principles of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. ​
Event includes:

Demonstration

Matcha and sweets

Lecture: History of tea, The spirit and philosophy of chanoyu, Seasonality, concept of hospitality

Number of guests: 5 (maximum)

Price: $75 per person

CSF Day of Giving
2026-02-19 | CA
The Coronado Schools Foundation (CSF) is proud to announce the return of CSF Day of Giving (AKA the new Telethon) on Thursday, February 19 — a 24-hour community-wide event dedicated to supporting the programs that make Coronado schools exceptional. This annual celebration of generosity invites residents, families, alumni, and local businesses to give big…and win big too!

This year’s event features an exciting new lineup of donor challenges and exclusive prize drawings to inspire participation and amplify community impact. Donors will have the chance to win amazing prize packages including:

A two-night stay at The Bower plus a $100 dining credit to DIVE Rooftop
A Kona Ice Party for 20 — the coolest party in town
A two-night stay at Loews Coronado Bay Resort with breakfast for two at Crown Landing
A curated prize package from Emerald City Surf Shop valued at $500
A two-night stay at Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa plus a $100 gift card to The Henry
A brand new e-bike from Holland’s Bicycles

For every $100 donated, supporters will receive one entry toward the prize drawing of their choice. Donate early and pick the prize of your choice.
Coronado Schools Foundation is committed to building momentum and excitement for our students. Follow along with us on Feb. 19 for special donor prizes, including rewards for the first donor, the first recurring donor, the first $250 donation, and many more. We’ll be giving away fantastic prizes including F45 passes, Sweet Soles gift certificates, San Diego Zoo & Safari Park passes, plus additional surprises throughout the day.
CSF Day of Giving fuels STEM & Arts programs not covered by traditional school funding, including fine arts, music, coding, robotics, and hands-on science. Every contribution directly strengthens student learning, sparks creativity, and expands access to innovative curriculum-enhancing experiences. Join us, support our students, and celebrate with a little fun along the way!
To donate or learn more, visit csfkids.org or follow along with the fun on Instagram at csfkids.

A huge thank you to the event sponsors including Mullins Orthodontics, Hotel del Coronado, F45, Dr. Stephen Dao of Coronado Family Dental, Garage Buona Forchetta, Kory Kavanewsky of CMG Home Loans, IB Pet, Island Integrative Health, Blanco Cocina & Cantina, Clayton’s, Singleton & Schreiber, Elevate Wellness, Emerald City Surf Shop, Nicolls Design + Build, The Henry, Holland’s Bicycles, Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Coronado Island Marriott, The Bower, Kona Ice, Crown City Magazine, Golden Flutter Photography, Spiro’s Mediterranean Cuisine, & Coastal Carts RMV.

Wine & Lecture: Ellen Browning Scripps - SOLD OUT
2026-02-19 17:30 - 19:00 | 1000 Orange Ave, 1000 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
SOLD OUT

The Coronado Historical Association invites you to join us for this month’s installment of the popular Wine & Lecture Series on Thursday, February 19. Enjoy a captivating evening with a fascinating look into the life and legacy of Ellen Browning Scripps (1836–1932) — the celebrated philanthropist who appeared on the cover of Time Magazine in 1926 after giving away the equivalent of $100 million to institutions such as the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Scripps Memorial Hospital, and Scripps College.
This engaging lecture will explore Scripps’s remarkable career as a journalist, her lifelong dedication to social advocacy, and the pivotal role she played in shaping modern philanthropy. We will also highlight the broader legacy of women in philanthropy — a powerful tradition of leadership that continues today.
Join us for a wine & cheese reception at 5:30 pm, followed by the lecture from 6 to 7 pm.
Tickets are available now on our website.

Member: $15.00
Non-Member: $20.00

Important Registration Information: Reservations are required. Please be aware that tickets for the wine & lecture events are nonrefundable, as proceeds support our educational mission.
If you have any questions, please email info@coronadohistory.org or call 619-435-7242.
Purchase the book through the University of Nebraska Press by clicking the image below:

About the Speaker
Molly McClain (PhD, Yale) is a professor of history at the University of San Diego. Her academic honors include USD’s distinguished University Professorship and the Davies Award for Faculty Achievement. A ninth-generation San Diegan, she is the author of four books and numerous articles, including Ellen Browning Scripps: New Money and American Philanthropy (2017). An editor of The Journal of San Diego History for over a decade, she encouraged writers to explore the region’s fascinating and understudied past. McClain has worked on a variety of public history projects, including the successful designation of the La Jolla Park Coastal Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places in 2024. She is a former board member of the La Jolla Historical Society.

Soroptimist program on human trafficking awareness and prevention
2026-02-23 17:30 | Winn Room, Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Children as young as eight years-old can fall victim to trafficking, and the average age is just thirteen. Trafficking has been reported in all schools in San Diego, and it happens in plain sight. The Center for Justice & Reconciliation at Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is fighting this attack on our youth with an outreach program showcasing in San Diego middle and high schools. Students in grades six through twelve learn to recognize grooming tactics and hear about practical tools designed to protect themselves and their peers from exploitation. Coronado Soroptimist invite middle/high school students and their families, CUSD faculty, as well as all interested community members to attend this important information session on Monday, Feb. 23 at 5:30 pm in the Winn Room.
PLNU’s outreach program, kNOwMORE, is a drama-based and student-centered human trafficking awareness and prevention curriculum grounded in the latest sex trafficking research in San Diego and developed in collaboration with leading experts. The main vehicle for presenting this information is a film that will be shared with attendees. The film features actors portraying various at-risk situations before participating in a follow-up panel discussion.
Ebony Robinson, kNOwMORE’s program manager and a survivor of exploitation herself, will be the evening’s speaker. She is a leader in the field of assisting survivors of trafficking with over ten years of experience in a number of different settings, including schools, the juvenile justice system, and survivor transition programs.

Please join the Soroptimists as they seek to strengthen our community’s awareness and expand understanding of the tools needed to protect local youth from the consequences of trafficking in the San Diego area.
kNOwMORE website link
Coronado Soroptimist

Small Changes, Big Impact: Electrification That Fits Your Home
2026-02-26 10:00 - 11:30 | John D. Spreckels Center Activity Room, 1019 7th St., Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Join Emerald Keepers for a free talk at the Coronado Spreckels Center’s Activity Room (1019 7th St.). Kathy Nicholson of the San Diego Building Electrification Coalition (SDBEC) will provide information and advice on electrifying your home to reduce energy and gas consumption. The talk will be followed by a Q&A.
Subjects include:
* Why electrification matters (health, safety, efficiency)
* Common myths (cost, reliability, complexity)
* Opportunities to update your home including heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction cooktops, and heat pump dryers
* Which updates have the biggest impact
Click here to register.

February Spice It Up, Coronado!
2026-02-27 14:30 - 15:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Like a book club, but for cooking! Explore new spices each month, pick up a sample, cook at home, and discuss your creations in our monthly Zoom discussion.
For the month of February we will be sampling hawaij.
See photographs and recipes from past Spice It Up, Coronado! HERE, then click on Open Access.

Disclaimer(s)

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering
2026-03-07 10:00 - 17:00 | Petco Park, 100 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA, 92101, United States
More than 100+ activities, performances are planned for this free event on Saturday, March 7.

The San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering will be held on Saturday, March 7, 10 am-5 pm at Petco Park, and will be a full day of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) fun provided by hundreds of San Diego area businesses, schools, libraries, and museums. Admission is free and open to the public, no registration is required. A clear bag policy will also be in effect.

This year’s event is presented by Illumina Corporate Foundation and more than 20,000 people are expected. Featured areas include:

College and Career Connections: This will foster awareness and create meaningful connections for local middle and high school students who will have the opportunity to meet with over 20 higher education and industry partners, including San Diego State University. There will be two panels: at 11 am and 2 pm.
The Art Pavilion: Back by popular demand, The Madhatters return to teach attendees how to knit baby caps that will be donated to the local children’s hospital. Students and community groups will showcase their creative expressions infusing the STEM experience with artistic flair. This exciting new space will encapsulate the powerful synergy between science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
Teacher Workshops: The ScienceBridge Enzyme Lab will take place between 11 am and 1 pm and is for educators with students in the 9th-12th grade. The Algae Academy is appropriate for any K-12 teacher, and will be held from 2-4 pm.

Sara Pagano, Executive Director of the San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering, says, “The festival aims to make STEAM learning enjoyable for all ages, from pre-K to gray. The event highlights San Diego’s leadership and innovation in science, technology and engineering fields and simplifies complex subjects for everyone.”
There will be dozens of returning hands-on learning experiences, interactive activities, and experiments to inspire kids (and kids at heart!) to engage in all things STEAM.
Two main stages will offer a variety of performances including math raps sung by The Music Notes, a High-Temperature Fusion show from General Atomics, an SD Mad Science-Fire & Ice performance, Fleet Science Center’s spectacle: Don’t Try This at Home, and EcoVivarium’s ‘Reptiles, Amphibians, and Bugs, Oh Why?’
ADDITIONAL ON-SITE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

DNA fun and genomics education with Illumina Corporate Foundation
The pre-K zone is filled with engaging activities for little learners
Virtual reality experiences
Rockets and explosions with General Atomics
Make slime, learn about underwater sea life, play with robots, watch a drone show and more!

The San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering’s mission is to engage kids in science and engineering. By doing this, the organization expands the general public’s understanding of the relevancy of science and engineering in everyday lives, illuminates why the United States must maintain its leadership role in science and technology, and work with parents and teachers to inspire today’s students to become tomorrow’s science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematical (STEAM) innovators.

Wine & Lecture: Rooted in History
2026-03-19 17:30 - 19:00 | 1000 Orange Ave, 1000 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Historical Association invites you to join us for this month’s installment of the popular Wine & Lecture Series on Thursday, March 19. Rooted in History: The Coronado Flower Show’s Century of Blooms will dive into the vibrant history of the Flower Show, a community tradition spanning over 100 years. Join our panel of organizers as they share personal stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and the show‘s evolution from a village event to a cherished community centerpiece.
Join us for a wine & cheese reception at 5:30 pm, followed by the panel discussion from 6 to 7 pm.
Tickets are available now on our website.

Member: $15.00
Non-Member: $20.00

Important Registration Information: Capacity is limited and reservations are required. No walk-ins will be admitted.
If you have any questions, please email info@coronadohistory.org or call 619-435-7242.
Harold Taylor Slide 116. Coronado Historical Association.

San Diego Storytelling Festival
2026-03-21 10:00 - 17:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Storytelling Festival Returns to the Coronado Public Library

Head over the Coronado Bridge for the San Diego Storytelling Festival as it returns to the Coronado Public Library on Saturday, March 21. This year’s theme, “Light in the Dark,” invites audiences to explore stories that illuminate hope and resilience through a full day of free performances, workshops, and interactive experiences.
The festival opens at 10 am with Light in the Dark, featuring local and visiting storytellers sharing folktales, history, and personal narratives inspired by the international theme At 11 am, audiences can choose between Sea to Shining Sea, celebrating America’s 250th birthday through stories from coast to coast, and Good Craic: Irish Stories and Music, where twice All-Ireland storytelling champion Mairtín de Cógáin brings the lively Irish seanchaí tradition to life with wit and charm.
The day will also include a special workshop with Grammy winner Adam Mellema, who will share his “secret sauce” for gathering and preserving family stories. In the afternoon, Deidra Davis will create a live art installation with stories during A Community Tree, while Darci Tucker’s dynamic first-person portrayal in Revolutionary Women offers a vivid look at colonial America.
The day also features Out Loud: Teen Voices, showcasing student storytellers from Morse High School, and a Story Circle/Open Mic where community members are invited to share short, heartfelt stories of their own. The festival concludes with Voices at the Water’s Edge, an inspiring celebration of personal and traditional stories designed to send audiences home with new stories, good memories, and light in the dark.
Hosted in partnership with Storytellers of San Diego, which has brought oral storytelling to the region for more than 40 years, the festival is free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to join for one event or stay for the day to experience storytelling in its oldest and most vibrant form. Learn more at coronadolibrary.org.

San Diego Writer's Festival
2026-03-28 09:00 - 18:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The San Diego Writers Festival is a free, community-based event designed to celebrate the power of writing and storytelling.
Stories transform both the teller and the listener. In whatever form you welcome a story into your life—by reading a memoir or graphic novel, listening to a podcast or a poetry reading, watching a movie or play or going to the theater—stories are our pathways, our links, our bridges to one another.
At the San Diego Writers Festival, we ask two important questions: What if there was a place where all stories could be nurtured and heard? What if we opened up our community to stories from those who have been under-served, disenfranchised, or neglected?
We invite you to join us on our mission to hear one another, be educated and illuminated by one another, and inspired by one another—one story at a time.

Wine & Lecture: San Diego's South Bay Railroads
2026-04-16 17:30 - 19:00 | 1000 Orange Ave, 1000 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Historical Association invites you to join us for this month’s installment of the popular Wine & Lecture Series on Thursday, April 16, about San Diego’s South Bay Railroads! Enjoy an engaging evening with Bruce Semelsberger, archivist at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, as we explore how the opening of the California Southern Railroad in 1885 transformed San Diego and sparked the Great Southern California Land Boom of the 1880s. Discover how San Diego’s would-be rail barons set their sights on Coronado and the South Bay — and find out what happened next in this fascinating chapter of local history.
Join us on Thursday, April 16, at 5:30 pm for a wine & cheese reception followed by the lecture from 6 to 7 pm.
Tickets are available now on our website.

Member: $15.00 each
Non-Member: $20.00 each

Important Registration Information: Reservations are required. Please be aware that tickets for the wine & lecture events are nonrefundable, as proceeds support our educational mission. If you have any questions, please email info@coronadohistory.org or call 619-435-7242.

About the Speaker
Born in Akron, Ohio, in 1947, Bruce Semelsberger received his education in Cuyahoga Falls and briefly pursued electrical engineering at the University of Akron before joining the U.S. Navy, serving in electronics from 1966 to 1970. Afterward, he built a long career in San Diego’s electronic component industry until retiring in 2016.
His lifelong fascination with railroads began with a few old maps and led him to join the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in 1984. What started as a volunteer cataloging project became a decades-long commitment as Research Director, Librarian, and Archivist. Bruce has lectured widely, taught railroad history at Cuyamaca College, and helped restore trains, tracks, and facilities.
Today, he continues collecting material for a book on San Diego’s early railroad history while hiking, researching, and preserving the region’s rail heritage for future generations.
