The Hotel Del Coronado opened in 1888 and is still a premiere place to visit in San Diego. It sits on Coronado island, right on the beach. With its red roofs and white wooden buildings, the Hotel Del Coronado is full of charm.
You can explore the grounds here and lounge on the lawn.
The beach has been voted one of the best in the country. Elaborate sand castles draw the attention of onlookers.
The ice cream store, Moo Time, is a great place for a sweet bite.
We found this old fire cart on our last visit. Being built with so much wood, the danger of fire at the hotel is real.
The lobby’s rich, dark wood is original. And so elegant. The old-style elevator still runs.
The Hotel del Coronado has hosted visiting dignitaries through the decades. Presidents Taft, FDR, Ford, and Carter were here. Famous folk such as Charlie Chaplin and Charles Lindbergh are in the visitors list. Marilyn Monroe filmed “Some Like It Hot” here in 1958.
Author L. Frank Baum lived at the hotel for months at a time. Here he wrote some of the Wizard of Oz books. He commented in 1905 on the Hotel Del: “And every day her loveliness shines pure, without a flaw, new charms entrance our every glance, and fill our souls with awe!”
At Christmastime, the back lawn is transformed into a skating rink. The giant Norfolk pine on the front lawn was the first electrically lit outside living tree in 1904. And a two-story high tree fills the central lobby, with a different theme each year. We try to visit at least once during the holidays. It’s a family tradition!
Although I’ve never stayed at the hotel (I can dream, though), I’ve been here countless times to enjoy the architecture and imagine all the pomp and circumstance and fun that’s taken place here through the years. If our visitors have only a short time in San Diego, we take them to Coronado.
34 Comments
That’s some time I saw the sights of the hotel there! The wine red umbrellas, are such a festive sight. I love the big sand castles! Something personal, in my last year of training as part of my rotation in hospice in the hospital of Kaiser Permanente in Norwalk, I was trained by Osma (the daughter of Frank Baum) in sand therapy for kids who had cancer) – we had a great connection:) Many thanks for sharing The Coronado with All Seasons, and have a great week!
This is truly a wonderful place! I’m so glad it has stood the test of time and is still in such wonderful shape! I love the little windows that stick out the roof!
That is so awesome. Love the blue sky!!
What an interesting building both inside and out! That sand castle is amazing, and I rather fancy eating something from Moo Time 🙂
Grand photos!
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I love grand hotels like this one. I half expect someone to be murdered. It would be the perfect setting for a murder mystery, except for the sunny weather.
Amalia
xo
I’ve seen photos of the hotel before and I love its design and style. Great post! Wish I could see it in person,
Quite an incredible looking hotel, and how fun it would be to sit on the porch and reminisce and look at the scenery. That is also the most amazing looking sand castle I have ever seen!
It’s beautiful.
Oooh ~ one of my favorite places ~ great photography of Hotel Del Coronado ~ thanks,
Enjoy the week ~ ^_^
Wow – amazing place!
I had heard of the hotel before but never made the connection with Some Like It Hot – one of my favourite films and another good reason for me to go to San Diego! Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
The hotel has some interesting architecture. I can see why it is a special spot. It is great that an author used this iconic hotel for his writing (perhaps his muse?).
Oh, that blue sky is just calling my name! I’ve been longing for some warmth and sunshine, so I think a trip to San Diego might just be what the doctor ordered!
Ahhh home! I grew up in SD! We took family Xmas photos in front of the Hotel del Coronado! Did you know they used it in the movie Some Like It Hot with Mariyln Monroe? #CityTripping
That sandcastle is amazing, must have taken someone hours to construct
I did a really fun bike/kayak tour on Coronado Island – and have dreamed of staying at this hotel for years. My ultimate dream would be a girl’s weekend trip to those beachfront cabanas with the fire pits. Swoon!
#WanderfulWednesday
That fluffy dog! And the incredible sandcastle!! Looks like a great place to stay.
Way back in 1976 I had the pleasure of view the outside of this hotel. I didn’t go inside because I wasn’t dressed properly but I could see through the windows that it was a grand place. – Your photos here are just awesome and truly show how magnificent this hotel really is. I loved seeing it all through your wonderful photos.
I usually like smaller hotels, but this looks great! And the sandcastle is so neat. Very elaborate!
This is the number one place I want to visit in the San Diego area. I have been to Coronado but have not made it to the hotel. Not sure why since it is an iconic place in Southern California. I have heard there are tons of ghost stories related to it. Would like to hear some! #FarawayFiles
The view from the hotel is amazing! I certainly wouldn’t mind staying there 🙂
Such an interesting and unique building, with a view too 😉
Hi Sharon! Thanks for linking this post at #TPThursday. Have a good one!
I can certainly see the Kennedy’s sashaying around this impressive hotel. Thanks for joining #FarawayFiles Sharon
I had such a wonderful time in San Diego, so walkable, the water front, seaside village, little Italy, went to Coronado Island twice during my visit. Loved walking the beach and checking out all the shops, walking the residential areas to get to the beach. it was so lovely & peaceful.
I remember seeing this place when we walked along the beach at Coronado. It’s great to be able to see inside, it’s beautiful. This brings back some great memories, thanks for sharing and wonderful photos btw! I would love to visit San Diego/Coronado again one day and who knows, maybe even stay at the Hotel Del! #WeekendWanderlust
I couldn’t quite swing a stay at the Hotel Del, but we stayed at a hotel across the street and enjoyed the beach outside the Hotel Del. I totally agree that the beach is very nice, although I can never stay in the water for very long. That sandcastle is incredible! I would have loved to watch it being built. Great photos, including some of places in the Hotel Del that I haven’t seen.
My bestie lives in San Diego so we get to visit often and we always go to the Coronado! FOr a meal, or to hang out on the beach. I am sure it would be wonderful to stay there!
Wow! This is a gorgeous place!
The Hotel Del is so pretty. Growing up in San Diego its such a land mark, but I’ve never actually been inside, but I do love the beach right there. Great post.
Just a heads up, though it practically is, Coronado actually isnt an island, its connected to SD by the “silver strand”.
The exterior of the hotel is so spectacular, I just love it. Another thing I love is the Wizard of Oz connection. Thanks for telling us about it.
We absolutely love the Hotel Del, and boy would we love to spend months at a time there! I don’t think we could swing that or another Wizard of Oz, but it’s fun to dream. Definitely worth visiting for an ice cream and some time on the beach! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard!
LOVE the Hotel Del! What a beautiful place. Haven’t stayed there yet, but have eaten lunch and walked on the beach. Soooo lovely. Such a nice spot in San Diego. We’d love to see those sand castles too – impressive! Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin