Hotel Del Coronado
San Diego: Top 5 Hotels
Guests of this magnificent old beach hotel on the Coronado peninsula pay a premium to bed down in California's most illustrious Victorian resorts, but you don't have to shell out the high room rates to enjoy what locals refer to simply as the Hotel Del. The 31-acre property is a delightful destination for day-trippers, with its splendid white-sand beach, landmark gingerbread architecture and rich history dating all the way back to the Del's grand opening in 1888.
Since 1969 a bridge has made it possible to drive directly from downtown San Diego to the village of Coronado, but it's much more fun to catch a ferry (www.sdhe.com/san-diego-bay-ferry.html) at the Broadway Pier for a short but scenic bay crossing, then take a leisurely mile-and-a-half stroll across town to the resort.
Upon arrival, spend some time perusing the fascinating historical displays before taking a turn around the grounds and along the beach. If the setting looks familiar, it's probably because the property has served as a backdrop for numerous Hollywood movies, including the hilarious 1959 Billy Wilder comedy Some Like it Hot starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. This is also rumored to be the place where Britain's Prince Edward first met Coronado divorcee Wallis Simpson, the woman for whom he would later relinquish his throne.
After exploring the resort, find a spot in the lobby for afternoon tea or a highly civilized cocktail, perhaps followed by dinner at one of the hotel's ocean-view restaurants. Time your visit right and your meal might include a lovely Pacific sunset.
Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Ave.
Coronado, Calif.
619-435-6611 or 800-HOTELDEL
www.hoteldel.com
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