Tour the Hotel Del Coronado

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Location: Coronado (6 Miles / 15 Minutes South of Downtown San Diego)

Cost: Free for Self-Guided Tours; Fees for Other Activities

Features: Tour of Historic Hotel Built in 1888; Served World Leaders; Seen in Major Movies and on TV

Hotel del Coronado Highlights: The Hotel del Coronado is San Diego’s most legendary landmark and is often noted as the most historic hotel in America. Built in 1888, it has withstood the test of time as a place for pageantry and grandeur. This was most exemplified in one of the greatest Hollywood films ever made, Some Like It Hot, with Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, and Tony Curtis. The Hotel Del has served over half of the United States Presidents who have held the office since 1891. It has also served dignitaries from around the world, including King Edward VIII of England who relinquished his crown so he could marry Coronado resident Wallis Simpson. The Hotel Del is also recognized by the Travel Channel for having one of the most haunted hotel rooms in the country, where the spirit of Kate Morgan is believed to exist since her stay in 1892. Visit the history gallery of the Hotel Del to see pictures and descriptions outlining this hotel’s storied past. The photos include pictures of visiting Presidents and shots taken of Marilyn Monroe and others during their filming of Some Like it Hot.

What to Expect

  • Enter this Victorian-style hotel and appreciate the imposing architecture of the bygone era. See if you can sneak a peak into the Crown Room. It is the second room on your right side after you enter the lobby. The Crown Room is home to the Hotel del Coronado’s famous Sunday Brunch. It is the same room where Charles Lindbergh and the San Diegans who built his Spirit of St. Louis celebrated the historic achievement of being the first to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.
  • To the left of the lobby is the Ballroom with Ocean Views. This is the cornerstone of several celebration locations at the Hotel del Coronado that led the Travel Channel to name it the #1 Wedding Destination in the country.
  • Head downstairs to see a gallery of pictures and stories outlining the history of the Hotel del Coronado. Most of them are spread throughout a hallway where you will also find a number of unique gift and clothing shops.
  • Finally, walk outdoors to the Windsor Lawn to enjoy views of the ocean and take some time strolling around the outside of the facility and enjoy views of this grand hotel.
  • If you want to add some active adventure to your visit, you can rent bikes from Wheel Fun Rentals at the Hotel Del and ride them through town or down the Silver Strand, which is a small berm of land between the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay.
  • You can also take a walk along the nearly mile-long Coronado Beach, which you can access behind the Hotel Del.

Map of the Hotel del Coronado – Print this out as your guide to walking around the Hotel Del.

Historical Society Tour of the Hotel del Coronado – Take a guided historical tour of the Hotel Del. Tours last one hour and cost $15. They are offered Fridays – Sundays at 2PM and on Tuesdays at 10:30AM. Call 1-619-437-8788 for reservations, which are required.

Holiday Decor and Ice Skating – Weather during the winter holidays in San Diego is often perfect. Get in the holiday spirit as the Hotel Del celebrates with Victorian Christmas and Holiday Decorations, a massive Christmas Tree, and an outdoor ice skating rink with a view of the Pacific Ocean. Ice skating, including skate rentals, will cost you about $25 for three hours.

Food – You will find several options at the Hotel Del and within walking distance.

hotel-delInformation on Visiting The Hotel del Coronado

Directions from Google Maps to 1500 Orange Avenue in Coronado, CA 92118.

Parking – It is best to drop off any passengers at the front door to the Hotel Del and then leave the premises to look for street parking. Otherwise, you will have to pay a hotel parking fee. You can find free street parking along some streets, including Ocean Boulevard, which is the first cross street north of the hotel. Other street parking areas have parking meters that will cost you about 25¢ per hour (except on Sunday) with a limit of 2 hours for most spots.

Traffic – On weekdays, traffic on the Coronado Bay Bridge is very heavy entering Coronado in the morning (around 7AM) and leaving Coronado during the afternoon (around 3PM). Otherwise, you should not face any traffic problems getting in and out of the area. (Learn how to get the latest traffic updates.)

Transit – Buses do serve the Hotel del Coronado. (See San Diego Transit Information for bus schedules and information for the online Transit Planner.)

Find More Attractions with Similar Themes or Location: *Top San Diego Attractions*, Architecture, As Seen In Movies, As Seen On TV, Coronado, Nostalgia & Western Frontier, Souvenirs |

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