Hotel del Coronado: San Diego’s Historic Beach Hotel Guide

Marilyn Monroe Movie Location! Hotel del Coronado Visited by Past Presidents

Hotel del Coronado is a resort hotel on Coronado Island in San Diego, California.

Since opening in 1888, it has been visited by many notable figures including past American presidents, and is a popular spot that served as the filming location for the Marilyn Monroe movie “Some Like It Hot.”

Let’s explore the charm of the historic Hotel del Coronado and the reasons why so many notable figures visit, along with its history!

1. What is Hotel del Coronado?

Hotel del Coronado is a four-star hotel on Coronado Island in San Diego, California.

The stylish Victorian Gothic architecture and the beautiful beach spreading before it have captivated many residents and tourists for years.

In 1977, it was designated as a National Historic Landmark, drawing attention as a historically valuable location.

Please check out the actual photos on this Instagram!

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2. Developing an Entire Town!? The History of Hotel Construction

Hotel del Coronado was built in 1888 by Elisha Babcock Jr. and Hampton L. Story.

They were impressed by the natural beauty of Coronado Island and decided to purchase the island and build a grand hotel.

Babcock and Story first established the Coronado Beach Company.

Subsequently, water companies, railroad companies, and power plants were established, and infrastructure such as roads, parks, and commercial areas was developed.

Isabella Avenue and Adella Avenue, which still exist on Coronado Island today, were named after the wives of the two founders!

Isabella Avenue

Adella Avenue

When the town of Coronado was completed in 1886, they held a large-scale land auction to attract residents.

The auction attracted 6,000 people, 350 lots were sold, and ultimately $2.25 million was raised.

By May 1887, they had hired about 250 men and proceeded with the construction of the resort hotel.

Since the hotel was entirely wooden, they used various types of wood gathered from different states across America.

For example, California redwood, which was considered resistant to termites, was used for the exterior, along with white oak from Illinois and sugar pine from Oregon.

When the hotel opened in 1888, electricity was still a novelty, and it was considered one of the largest electrified buildings in the country.

Many cutting-edge technologies of the time were used, including “hydraulic elevators” powered by steam engines (said to be the first in the country), state-of-the-art “sprinkler” systems, and “telephone service” which had only been introduced to San Diego about 7 years earlier.

3. About the Crown Room

The “Crown Room” in the hotel measures 160 feet x 60 feet (approximately 48.8 meters x 18.3 meters) and is one of the particularly famous rooms due to its very luxurious interior.

In 1920, a dinner for the Prince of Wales was held here, and in 1927, an event celebrating Charles Lindbergh’s solo transatlantic flight was held here.

Also, the crown-shaped chandelier that stands out in the room was reportedly installed around 1911, and is said to have been designed by L. Frank Baum, author of “The Wizard of Oz,” who is also famous in Japan.

He is said to have visited Coronado Island many times between 1904 and 1910, and wrote books in the Oz series while staying at the hotel, such as “Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz” (1908), “The Road to Oz” (1909), and “The Emerald City of Oz” (1910).

I was amazed by the very luxurious chandelier when I saw it in person! Please also check out this Instagram!

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4. A Hotel Visited by Many Past Presidents

Hotel del Coronado is also a place visited by past presidents.

For example, in 1891, President Benjamin Harrison visited here for breakfast while touring the country by train.

This was the first time a sitting American president visited San Diego.

He reportedly told William Taft, who would later become president, “Once you experience the atmosphere of this place, you’ll want to live here forever.”

President William Taft stayed here in 1915 after leaving office to attend the Panama-California Exposition.

President Franklin Roosevelt also stayed here several times. In 1935, he visited with his wife to give a speech at the California Pacific International Exposition, raised the presidential flag at the hotel, and made this hotel the official White House only while the president was staying.

Also, in 1970, President Richard Nixon held his first official dinner outside the White House here.

5. About the “Some Like It Hot” Filming Location

The beautiful exterior of Hotel del Coronado was used in the popular 1959 movie “Some Like It Hot.”

This movie is a comedy directed by Billy Wilder, set in Prohibition-era Chicago, where Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) dress as women to escape from the mafia, join a women’s band, and meet Sugar Kane played by Marilyn Monroe.

Being featured in this popular movie, which was selected as the greatest comedy of all time by the American Film Institute, further increased its fame.

6. The Stunning Coronado Beach and Accommodation Rates

In front of Hotel del Coronado spreads the stunning white sand of Coronado Beach.

It’s one of the recommended spots where you can relax and listen to the sound of waves while having drinks under a parasol!

Accommodation rates vary depending on the season and room type, but in The Victorian area, which is the most historic and oldest, it costs about $400-$800 per night for two adults.

The luxurious beachfront cottages and villas in the Beach Village area can cost several thousand dollars per night depending on the day.

Even if you don’t stay overnight, you can access Coronado Beach in front of the hotel and some parts of the hotel (shops, restaurants, etc.), so please take a stroll when you’re nearby!

7. Other Recommended Tourist Spot: USS Midway Museum

This is a spot where you can enter a real aircraft carrier, located about 6.3 miles and 25 minutes by car from Coronado Island!

Midway was an aircraft carrier in active service from 1945 to 1992, one of the longest-serving in U.S. Navy history!

There’s also a Japanese audio guide tour, allowing you to learn in detail about naval history and life aboard the carrier at that time.

The gift shop in the museum also had Top Gun movie-related merchandise, so movie fans should definitely stop by!

Please also check out this Instagram!

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8. In Conclusion

A large-scale hotel that used cutting-edge technology when it opened, now offering a luxurious hotel where you can feel history and an incredibly beautiful beach!

I found it to be one of the tourist spots overflowing with charm that makes it understandable why past presidents have stayed here!

Please enjoy both exploring around Hotel del Coronado and touring Top Gun movie locations for a more enjoyable and fulfilling sightseeing experience!

Please also check this blog about Top Gun filming locations!

San Diego Top Gun Tourism Guide

California has many other recommended tourist spots! Please also check out this Instagram!

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