Coronado's streets, shops and restaurants fill up Wednesday for the 17th annual Taste of Coronado, a self-guided tasting crawl expected to draw more than 900 guests on foot, bicycle and trolley across the island. The event folds together food, drinks, live music and shopping into one evening, with a cut of the proceeds going to help foster youth pursue college degrees.
The Coronado Junior Woman's Club will host the 17th Annual A Taste of Coronado, according to the club's own event page, which describes the evening as featuring tastings from the island's top restaurants, bars, and shops. The event has been a cherished community tradition for 17 years, KPBS notes, with guests moving between multiple stops to sample what Coronado's chefs, bartenders and shopkeepers have to offer.
As reported by KPBS, the event is categorized as both a charity fundraiser and a food-and-drinks outing, bringing together hundreds of guests for an evening centered on socializing alongside the eating and drinking. It's structured as a self-guided tour — no set itinerary, just a map and your own pace getting from one tasting stop to the next.
Getting Around the Island
Getting between stops is part of the appeal. A Taste of Coronado is a self-guided tour by foot, bicycle, or trolley, according to Coronado News, meaning attendees can design their own route through the evening rather than follow a fixed path. Coronado Times reports that more than 900 guests are expected this year.
As a self-guided event spanning multiple locations, attendees can choose their own route through the evening.
Proceeds Fund Foster Youth Scholarships
Beyond the food and foot traffic, the event carries a charitable purpose. A portion of proceeds from this year's event will benefit Promises2Kids, the same Coronado News report states, specifically supporting the organization's Guardian Scholars program. That program provides current and former foster youth with financial assistance, mentoring, academic support, and resources to help them pursue higher education, according to Ranch & Coast Magazine.
Over the last five years, 63% of Guardian Scholars have graduated college, compared to the national average of 8-12% for former foster youth, Coronado News reports — a comparison showing a higher graduation rate for Guardian Scholars than the national average for former foster youth.
Hotel Del Returns as Lead Sponsor
Underwriting much of this year's event is Coronado's most recognizable address. For the fourth consecutive year, Hotel del Coronado is returning as the presenting sponsor, according to Coronado Times, with the hotel contributing $8,000 to this year's edition. The Coronado Junior Woman's Club organizes A Taste of Coronado annually, the outlet notes, making the Del's repeat backing part of a now-familiar partnership between the resort and the community fundraiser.
Ticket availability has been reported differently across outlets. Coronado News reported that VIP tickets are sold out, but General Admission tickets remain available, while Ranch & Coast Magazine reported that VIP and general admission tickets are available. Either way, organizers are pointing would-be attendees toward the club's website for the latest details on tickets and the evening's lineup of stops.
