Famous Hotel Del Coronado – Top 10 Best Things To Do
My wife and I had an amazing vacation at the famous Hotel Del Coronado to celebrate our ninth wedding anniversary. I would absolutely recommend staying at “The Del,” or at least visiting for a day trip. Here’s a list of our favorites from the trip to help you plan your own getaway.
Where is Hotel Del Coronado?
Coronado is city in California on a peninsula in San Diego Bay. The Hotel overlooks Coronado Beach, ranked 8th Best Beach in the U.S. according to Dr Beach’s 2021 Top Ten Beaches.
Top 10 things to do at Hotel Del Coronado
Rent bikes at from the Resort to see the sights around the island. $45/hour isn’t cheap, but even just an hour allows you to see most of the area, from the beach promenade to all the cute houses. Tip – Stop at Vons Grocery store for snacks and a bottle of wine to bring to the beach.
Visit the shops on Orange Avenue. A short walk from the Del you’ll find great retail shops. Bay Books and Fuzziwigs were two of my favorites.
Grab Coffee or Pizza at the ENO Market at Hotel Del Coronado. Casual Pizza with a view, plus plenty of grab and go options from snacks to grilled sandwiches.
Hit the Taco Shack for lunch on the beach or a casual dinner on the boardwalk while listening to live music (Tu/Fri/Sat 4-7p).
Reserve a fire pit and and recap the day’s activities around the fire with yummy s’mores.
Kickstart your day with a Beach Spin class on the courtyard of Hotel Del Coronado.
Start your day with an amazing brunch with a beautiful courtyard and ocean view at Sheerwater. The Southwest Benedict is so good we got it twice during our stay. I also hear The Henry is great, just down the street from The Del.
Stretch your legs in the lounge chairs at the Cabana Pool just in front of the iconic Rotunda. Pool Cabana’s are available for rent with a stocked refrigerator, snacks and TV. Pool is for Hotel Guests only.
Spend a day at Coronado Beach, one of the best beaches in the U.S. You can rent Day Beds or Lounge Chairs that come with food and drink service (including alcohol). Or for only $25 you can rent a chair and relax closer to the water. The public beach does not allow alcohol but it is allowed in the lounge chair area. We brought a bottle of wine and kept it chilled with a cooler we got at the Vons down the street (it even came with a bottle opener).
Why is Hotel Del Coronado Famous?
The Del was the largest hotel in the world when it opened in 1888 and hosts numerous celebrities and Presidents. It has been featured in many films, including The Flying Fleet (1927), Some Like It Hot (1959) with Marilyn Monroe, and more than 12 other films (source: wikipedia). The hotel is one few surviving examples of Victorian Beach resort architectural genre, hence the iconic wooden rotunda and spires.
Who Owns Hotel Del Coronado?
The Blackstone Group, owns the hotel and its run by Hilton as part of its Curio Collection of hotels. The Victorian style hotel still retains its iconic charm. There was construction during our stay as part of Hotel Del Coronado’s Master Plan set to complete in 2022/23. This adds 142 rooms for a total of 902, and offers ownership opportunities for new “Resort within a resort condos.”
Can you walk around Hotel Del Coronado?
Yes! You don’t have to stay at the Del to experience many activities and sites. This includes walking the property, dining at its restaurants, Bike rentals, visiting the Beach, using Beach rentals, and nearby shopping. Only guests can use pool and spins classes.
Is Hotel Del Coronado good for Kids?
Absolutely, Hotel Del is family friendly. Most guests had kids yet it still is a perfect getaway for couples without kids. While we did not bring ours on this trip, we will be back with the kids.
Travel Tips for The Del
- Stop at Vons for snacks and drinks. A helpful stop if you’re on a budget and want to bring food and beverages to the beach. We found a wine cooler with bottle opener, helpful since travelers don’t generally bring bring these (see #1 tip above).
- Save on Rooms and get perks like resort credits. The Del is expensive, get discounted rates through the Hilton Honors program or when booking through American Express Travel program. You can also get daily resort credits when booking through these programs too.
- Visit even if you’re not staying there. It’s worth a visit if you’re in the San Diego area. We found The Del on our first trip to San Diego and were in awe of its beauty and charm. Most activities can be enjoyed without actually staying at the hotel.
I’m so glad we booked a stay and can’t wait to come back! We’re planning our next visit with our kids to make it a family vacation. Hope this encouraged you to plan a trip of your own. Drop me a line if you have questions or want to share your own travel memories!
Cheers,
Britt
About Post Author
Britt
Hey I’m Britt. I run Full Dad Mode to help people like you make the most of life. I share helpful DIY how to's and recipes designed to make busy lives easier. Click here to sign up for email updates to stay up to date on the latest tips and from Full Dad Mode!
