BajaNomad

Coronado Islands

Mexitron - 7-16-2012 at 01:41 PM

Officially the Coronado islands are mostly off-limits, but has anyone ever landed there (or perhaps taken a natural history tour there?) Wanted to get some photos of some rare plants there but don't know if that's too tall an order....would pangueros take someone out there?

Cisco - 7-16-2012 at 02:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mexitron
Officially the Coronado islands are mostly off-limits, but has anyone ever landed there (or perhaps taken a natural history tour there?) Wanted to get some photos of some rare plants there but don't know if that's too tall an order....would pangueros take someone out there?


I think it would be a whole lot easier to go out from San Diego Bay, it's only 12 or 14 miles. Fished it as a kid in a 14' skiff.

I have spent hundreds if not thousands of days around the islands when I was sportfishing for a living out of San Diego but that was years ago.

There is only one place to logically land on North Coronado and that is at what is called the Lobster Shack.

South Island different deal since the hotel fell in the bay and "Honeymoon Cove" inside the middle ground is completely different also.

With all of the changes to the islands over the past 30 or 40 years I would suggest you get ahold of the natural history museum in Balboa Park, they have had groups on the islands before although I have not spent much time there since the mid 70's.

Be careful (or use to) of rattlesnakes, somehow they got out there. Realize that geologically these islands were formed at different times with different dynamics.

Used to be able to walk from one end of south island to the other. There was a burro path the lighthouse keeper used to light the southern lamp (when he was so inclined). Would bring him in to go shopping when finishing a day trip and returning to San Diego. Sometime he would stay with us at our home for a couple of days and then take him back out with his purchases. Sometimes his wife would come also.

So, try Natural History museum first they should be able to refer you from there. Mexican Consulate in San Diego is another avenue but they are quite officious.

Mexitron - 7-16-2012 at 04:10 PM

Thanks for the great info Cisco!