With its red-roofed turrets rising above one of Southern California’s widest beaches, Hotel del Coronado has defined the American seaside vacation since 1888.

Just across San Diego Bay from downtown via the Coronado Bridge, a stay at Hotel del Coronado keeps you close to San Diego while offering a peaceful separation from the city. Orange Avenue serves as the community’s walkable main street with residential blocks leading toward the bay, and more than twenty-five miles of designated bicycle paths providing you the chance to explore much of the peninsula without a car. At the center of it all is Hotel del Coronado, affectionately referred to as “The Del,” a National Historic Landmark that has hosted generations of families, presidents, Hollywood figures, and travelers drawn to its unmistakable Victorian silhouette.

“…a stay at Hotel del Coronado keeps you close to San Diego while offering a peaceful separation from the city.”

Following a property-wide restoration of more than $550 million in June 2025, The Del has entered an entirely new chapter. The project restored the original Victorian building and its guestrooms, front porch, lobby, garden courtyard, Crown Room, and event spaces, while adding restaurants including Nobu Del Coronado and Veranda. The entire renovation took seven years, making it less a reinvention than a meticulous effort to prepare the 1888 landmark for its next century.

Where to Stay on Coronado Island

Staying at Hotel del Coronado is less about choosing a room category and more about deciding which version of the property you want to experience as your home base. The resort is organized into five distinct neighborhoods, from the original building with its historic architecture to contemporary beachfront residences with kitchens and expansive living spaces. While you can always consult your SmartFlyer travel advisor to match your unique preferences with the best-suited accommodation, we’ve compiled a breakdown of The Del to serve as your cheat sheet.

The Victorian

Opt for The Victorian if the hotel’s history (more on that later!) is central to your trip. The red-turreted original building opened in 1888 and remains The Del’s most recognizable address. Following the restoration, its irregularly shaped guestrooms retain the individuality of a nineteenth-century hotel rather than conforming to a standardized floor plan. Brighter floral-patterned textiles, caned and wicker furnishings, and deep wood finishes reinterpret Victorian design without returning the rooms to a dark period palette. The neighborhood also places you closest to the restored lobby, front porch, Garden Courtyard, Crown Room, and the hotel’s original mahogany bar at Babcock & Story. During restoration, workers uncovered an original hand-painted fresco-secco in the Ocean Ballroom vestibule. Painted between September 1887 and April 1888, this discovery remains the last surviving fresco-secco from the hotel’s original collection of painted plaster ceilings.

Beach Village

Set apart within a private, gated enclave, Beach Village feels like an intimate seaside neighborhood tucked inside the larger Del Coronado community. Its beachfront cottages and villas are designed around the pace of residential living, with generously spaced living and dining areas, full kitchens, fireplaces, and private terraces that extend your space toward the water. The layouts are particularly well suited to multigenerational stays, giving everyone room to gather for meals and unhurried time together, alongside quieter corners for added privacy. Instead of splitting family members among connecting hotel rooms, the entire group can settle into the privacy of a shared home base while branching out to enjoy the parts of the property that appeal most. The experience remains distinctly tailored outside the villa, with access to Beach Village’s renovated Oval Pool and dedicated dining at Breezes, both conveniently located within the enclave.

Shore House

Opened in 2022, Shore House offers seventy-five one- to three-bedroom oceanfront residences centered around a dedicated pool and the residents-only Shore House Bistro. Full kitchens, living areas, and balconies or terraces make this the strongest option for a longer stay, particularly for families who want breakfast at home and more space between beach plans. If you want the intimacy and additional services of a private club without committing to a residential accommodation, your SmartFlyer travel advisor can secure Ocean Club access for an overnight stay. Set in a historic cottage that’s steps from the sand, the club includes reserved beach chairs and an umbrella, ocean views, all-day food and beverage service, and seasonal access to The Beach Club.

The Views and The Cabanas

The Views is the more contemporary choice for direct Pacific access, with beachfront rooms and suites designed around the ocean rather than the hotel’s historic interiors. The Cabanas puts you close to the main pool and beach, making the neighborhood especially convenient for families who want to move between swimming, lunch, and the sand throughout the day. Both provide a more modern interpretation of The Del than The Victorian. The trade-off of proximity is that you exchange some of the original building’s architectural character for easier access to the resort’s outdoor spaces.

When to Visit Coronado

Coronado’s mild coastal climate allows you to plan a trip during any season, though the experience changes considerably throughout the year. Summer brings the longest beach days and the most energetic atmosphere, while September and October often combine warm afternoons with fewer peak-season crowds. Spring works well for cycling, sailing, and long walks around the island, but the marine layer can create overcast mornings that clear later in the day. Winter is about experiencing The Del as a destination unto itself. The holiday season is particularly special, with Skating by the Sea, Beachside Igloos, the Lightshow Spectacular, Victorian Tea, and holiday meals inside the decadently decorated Crown and Coronet rooms. The hotel’s oceanfront ice rink is a particularly Californian contradiction, placing skaters between the Pacific and The Del’s red turret.

The History Behind Hotel del Coronado

“Elisha Babcock Jr. and Hampton L. Story, two businessmen with no previous hotel experience, first conceived The Del in 1886 as a resort that would become ‘the talk of the western world.'”

Elisha Babcock Jr. and Hampton L. Story, two businessmen with no previous hotel experience, first conceived The Del in 1886 as a resort that would become “the talk of the western world.” Construction began in 1887 and was completed in just eleven months. At the time, the hotel was a technological achievement. Electricity remained a novelty, yet The Del had its own power plant and supplied electricity to Coronado. The property also incorporated hydraulic elevators, telephone service, and an early fire-sprinkler system. More than 400 guestrooms surrounded the rotunda and interior court.

The Crown Room, which is still standing today, remains one of the hotel’s most significant architectural spaces. Its original ceiling rises thirty-three feet above a column-free room measuring 160 by sixty feet, an engineering feat made from Oregon sugar pine. The crown-shaped chandeliers installed around 1911 are credited to Frank Baum, who spent extended periods at The Del and wrote several books in the Oz series while staying in Coronado. The chandeliers were inspired by the Cowardly Lion’s crown in the book’s first illustration.

The guest list soon became part of the hotel’s long history. President Benjamin Harrison visited in 1891, the Prince of Wales attended a Crown Room banquet in 1920, and Charles Lindbergh was honored at The Del in 1927 after completing his transatlantic flight. In 1970, President Richard Nixon hosted a state dinner for Mexican President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz in the Crown Room, the first state dinner in U.S. history to be held outside the White House.

Hollywood starlets have contributed an altogether different set of accolades. Some Like It Hot, starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon, was filmed at The Del in 1958, using its Victorian exterior as a stand-in for a Florida resort during the 1920s. In 1977, the property was designated a National Historic Landmark. To explore that history beyond the lobby displays, your SmartFlyer travel advisor can book you a private Legendary Tour. The ninety-minute docent-led walk covers the Victorian building and gardens, with access to areas not ordinarily open to the public.

What to Do at Hotel del Coronado

Hotel del Coronado offers an easy base for exploring the island by land and water, but some of its most compelling experiences are right on the property. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun, a day on the water, or something a little more active, there’s no shortage of ways to spend a day at Hotel del Coronado.

• Set Sail on San Diego Bay: Head to The Del Marina’s partner facility at Seaforth Boat Rentals Coronado for a hands-on lesson aboard a twenty-two-foot Capri sailboat. With a captain, groups of two to four learn to raise the sails, read the wind, and steer through San Diego Bay instead of simply traveling as passengers. For something less instructional, reserve a private sunset sail with a professional captain, drinks, and light bites.
• Spend the Day on Del Beach: A day on the Pacific shore can be as simple as enjoying two chairs and an umbrella, though the hotel also offers daybeds, private cabanettes, food-and-drink service, surf lessons, and organized games. Families can make the beach the center of the day, then branch out based on individual interests, or choose a private cabana beside one of the resort’s pools for a break from the sand. For greater privacy, Ocean Club offers reserved beach chairs, an umbrella, and all-day food and beverage service from its historic oceanfront cottage. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor can arrange access to the club.
• Learn to Surf with an Expert: Improve your skills or build brand new ones with surf lessons right on property. Professional surfer Jamie O’Brien selects instructors who teach the fundamentals on the sand before moving into the water. Each session can be shaped around your experience level, which is great for families and multi-gen groups looking to bond over a shared experience.
• Enjoy a Private Beach Bonfire: As the daylight begins to fade, settle around a fire pit directly on the sand for Roast, The Del’s private bonfire experience. Start with s’mores, with the option to add an expanded menu of fireside food and drinks for groups that want to turn the experience into a relaxed beachfront gathering.
• Watch a Movie Beneath the Stars: On select evenings, Movies on the Beach turns the shoreline into an open-air theater. Settle into a beach chair beside the Pacific and watch a seasonal or family-friendly film after sunset, with the sound of the water just beyond the screen. Programming changes throughout the year, so your SmartFlyer travel advisor will let you know what movies are on the schedule before your stay.
• Plan an Afternoon at Ocean Explorers Kids Club: Designed for children ages four through twelve, Ocean Explorers combines supervised play with ocean-inspired activities, creative projects, and opportunities for discovery. The program offers littles a more engaging alternative to general childcare, while letting parents reserve time for the spa, a longer meal, or a quieter stretch by the pool. Because the schedule varies, your SmartFlyer travel advisor will arrange reservations in advance.
• Take a Wellness Class Beside the Pacific: The Del’s fitness programming moves several familiar workouts out of the studio and into the coastal landscape. Depending on the schedule, you might begin the morning with yoga on the beach, join an oceanfront spin session, or choose a more demanding beach boot camp.
• Explore the Water by Paddleboard: A privately guided stand-up paddleboarding session on the bay or ocean, led by instructors who cover the fundamentals before taking the group out. The calmer bay setting may be best for first-time paddlers, while an ocean session brings you directly into the conditions that define The Del’s beachfront location.

Where to Dine at Hotel del Coronado

The Del’s on-property dining collection ranges from Japanese-Peruvian cuisine and sustainable seafood to handmade tortillas served directly beside the sand. Whether you’re celebrating or just gathering with loved ones, you don’t have to leave Hotel del Coronado to find what you’re looking for.

• SunLife Organics: A custom Airstream parked directly on Del Beach serves smoothies, açaí bowls, and matcha for breakfast or a quick post-workout stop. The location-specific Hotel Del Smoothie blends mango, açaí, blueberry, beet powder, collagen, honey, and pineapple juice, while the Hotel Del Bowl adds strawberries, blueberries, cashew butter, goji berries, cacao nibs, bee pollen, coconut chips, and Himalayan pink salt to an açaí base. Walk up before yoga, cycling, or a morning on the sand. It doesn’t get more quintessentially Southern Californian than this.
• Sundaes: Choose gelato, sorbet, or a handcrafted paleta, then add dips, drizzles, and toppings. More elaborate orders include the Coronado Crunch, layered with vanilla, sea-salt caramel, and chocolate gelato, hazelnut crunch, dark-chocolate pearls, and caramel and chocolate sauces. Littles will want to return, but flavors such as Sicilian pistachio, espresso, horchata, and Belgian dark chocolate keep the stop from feeling designed solely for younger travelers.
• Beach & Taco Shack: Set directly on the sand, this is the easiest place to eat when no one in your crew wants to leave the beach. Every tortilla is handmade with Somos Maíz masa, including those used for grilled mahi-mahi tacos with chipotle crema and pickled red onion. Start with the Baja ceviche and order a tropical cocktail, such as the mezcal-and-passion-fruit Smoke Show. Live music adds to the atmosphere throughout the week, adding to the chill beach vibes.
• ENO Market & Pizzeria: Inside, the market covers early coffee runs, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and provisions to carry to the beach. The outdoor pizzeria is better for a chill family dinner beneath the patio gazebo. Pizzas range from a straightforward Margherita with San Marzano sauce and buffalo mozzarella to the Fig Prosciutto, made with garlic cream, goat cheese, fig jam, balsamic, and arugula.
• Sun Deck: Come for a late lunch or secure a firepit as the afternoon light begins to change. The menu is casual but offers items beyond your standard poolside fare. For example, the shrimp cocktail gets a Baja twist and arrives with avocado, cucumber, and tortilla chips. Order the Sunset Bliss cocktail during golden hour and give the western horizon your full attention. Sun Deck is first-come, first-served, so arrive ahead of sunset to secure a seat with a great view.
• Babcock & Story Bar: Named for The Del’s founders, the bar connects the restored Victorian interiors with a broad terrace facing Coronado Beach. Have the first drink at the hotel’s original mahogany bar, then move outside before sunset. The food is built for grazing rather than a formal dinner: baked Dungeness crab dip, hot pastrami sliders on pretzel buns, and thick-cut Taglio pizza. Live music adds energy later in the week, though the historic bar itself is the reason to stop.
• Veranda: The open-air dining room takes its cues from the hotel’s original wraparound porch, with tables facing the Pacific and the Victorian building close behind. Breakfast is the more relaxed way to experience it, with made-to-order eggs and waffles, chilaquiles, smoked salmon, and pastries. At dinner, the American menu draws on Southern California produce and includes dishes such as local ahi tuna Niçoise and ahi tuna tartare. The restaurant also serves An Icon’s Chilled Soufflé, a nod to the dessert Marilyn Monroe reportedly ordered each day while filming Some Like It Hot at The Del.
• Serẽa: Chef JoJo Ruiz’s Mediterranean-leaning menu is strongest when ordered for the table. Begin with Baja kampachi, bigeye tuna tartare, or oysters served with cucumber-cilantro mignonette and Baja-style cocktail sauce. Wood-grilled octopus, crispy saganaki, swordfish “pita tacos,” and harissa chicken kabobs fill out the opening courses, but whole fish is the centerpiece: locally and responsibly sourced catch is priced by weight, prepared over wood or flash-fried, and deboned tableside.
• Nobu Del Coronado: Nobu Matsuhisa’s Japanese Peruvian cooking arrives to an indoor dining room at Hotel del Coronado, covered oceanfront patio, pagoda bar, and dedicated sushi counter. Signature dishes include Yellowtail Jalapeño, Black Cod with Miso, spicy tuna with crispy rice, and rock shrimp tempura, alongside nigiri and sashimi spanning bluefin toro and Japanese sea urchin. For dinner, your SmartFlyer travel advisor will reserve seats at the sushi counter or covered patio, depending on the vibe you’re seeking out.

Wellness at Hotel del Coronado

Wellness has been part of Hotel del Coronado’s identity since its inception when travelers came to Coronado for its sunshine, salt air, and mild climate. Today, Spa & Salon at The Del picks up that thread with treatments that draw heavily from the coast, using ingredients such as hand-harvested seaweed, marine extracts, sea salt, rosehip oil, and ground walnut shell.

The 100-minute Ocean Essence Ritual begins with a walnut-shell body buff blended with almond oil, seaweed, and ginger extracts, followed by a warm seaweed mask, marine eye treatment, and scalp massage. Afterward, the treatment finishes with seaweed body oil enriched with rosehip and primrose. For something more targeted, the Balancing Ritual incorporates lymphatic drainage, Gua Sha, cold stones, and botanical oils to address circulation and fluid retention. If a full-body treatment feels like too much of a commitment, the 50-minute Beach Feet Reflexology begins with a walnut-and-seaweed foot scrub before moving into pressure-point massage.

Shopping at Hotel del Coronado

The shops at Hotel del Coronado help create the feeling that you’re truly ensconced in your own little slice of Southern California living. You’ll find everything from vintage-inspired photography to surf gear. If you want to explore farther, the nearby Orange Avenue leads into the center of Coronado, where independent boutiques, galleries, cafés, and restaurants line the route.

Shops at Hotel del Coronado

• Spreckels Sweets & Treats: Named for John D. Spreckels, whose family owned the hotel for decades, this old-fashioned candy shop carries truffles, gourmet chocolates, and nostalgic sweets. Pick something up for a movie or beach bonfire, or stop on the way back to your room when dessert at dinner wasn’t quite enough.
• Weekends: Weekends is aptly named; it’s built around the casual resort clothing that defines the best Saturdays and Sundays. Here’s where you can pick up swimsuits, cover-ups, athleisure, and easy pieces that work for the beach, pool, or lunch. Stop in when your suitcase suddenly feels far less beach-friendly than it did at home.
• Monroe: Feel like you’re truly living through the historic moments that took place at Hotel del Coronado by outfitting yourself in pieces from this shot. Inspired by classic Hollywood style, Monroe is where you can tap into your own screen-siren glamour. The theme fits naturally at a hotel where Some Like It Hot was filmed.
• Beachouse: This shop carries work from Gray Malin’s Hotel del Coronado series, which recreates the look of 1960s resort life with vintage styling and synchronized swimmers from the Aqualillies. You can pick up pieces here that won’t feel like another generic souvenir—but are so specific to place that you will remember the trip every time you pass it.

Shopping on Orange Avenue

Just a short walk or bike ride away from the Hotel del Coronado, wander down to Orange Avenue for shopping beyond the property.

• Bay Books: Coronado’s independent bookstore has held its spot on Orange Avenue since 1991. Along with well-chosen fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books, the shelves cover military history, travel, and stories set in Coronado and San Diego. Stop in for something to read on the beach, or pick up a locally connected title that will last longer than the usual souvenir.
• Seaside Papery: This cheerful stationery shop is easy to lose track of time in. Shelves are filled with greeting cards, notebooks, wrapping paper, party supplies, and small, design-forward gifts, including plenty that fit in a carry-on. For those of us who love to look at something pretty, this store delivers it in spades.
• Coronado Taste of Oils: More tasting room than traditional food shop, the family-owned Coronado Taste of Oils carries over forty olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Sample your way through the collection before choosing a bottle, with flavors ranging from everyday kitchen staples to unexpected, infused varieties. They even have their own archive of olive oils.
• LUMO Jewelry Co.: Head to LUMO for locally designed jewelry with a subtler connection to Coronado. Rather than relying on obvious destination motifs, the fine jewelry pieces offer unique styles that will come with a story of your trip every time you wear it.
• The True House: The True House is for anyone who cannot resist looking at furniture while on vacation. The interiors shop mixes furnishings with lighting, decorative objects, textiles, and smaller home accessories, all presented with a relaxed coastal sensibility. The larger pieces may have you considering shipping arrangements, but there are also plenty of portable finds that will add a trace of Coronado to a bookshelf, table, or guest room.
• Coronado Vintage: Because the inventory changes constantly, Coronado Vintage is the least predictable stop on the list and one of the most fun to browse. Expect an evolving mix of secondhand clothing, accessories, and one-off finds rather than rows of familiar resort wear.

Getting to Hotel del Coronado

The most convenient airport to Hotel del Coronado is San Diego International Airport (SAN), which is about nine miles away. The scenic drive takes approximately fifteen minutes and follows the waterfront before crossing San Diego Bay on the San Diego-Coronado Bridge. A private driver coordinated by your SmartFlyer travel advisor and the hotel will ensure a seamless transfer to the property. SAN is served nonstop from New York through both John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

Other direct domestic gateways include Boston, Chicago, Dallas–Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Miami, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Seattle, with international service from cities including London, Amsterdam, Munich, Tokyo, Toronto, Vancouver, and Panama City. Travelers arriving from within Mexico can also consider Tijuana International Airport (TIJ), just 19 miles away. For a more whimsical arrival from downtown San Diego, the ferry is more scenic than direct: boats arrive at Coronado Ferry Landing, about two miles from the hotel, where a private driver will pick you up and take you the short drive to the property.

Ready to plan your California escape? Contact your SmartFlyer travel advisor.