by Cheri Sundra
There’s no place like home if you still like it hot at the Hotel Del Coronado!
Photo Credit: Keith Yahl
While many movies are filmed on location, only a few unions of celluloid and location are as legendary as the sight of Marilyn Monroe cavorting on the beach at the footsteps of The Del. Add to that legend the fact that the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum, did much of his writing at the hotel, even reportedly basing his designs for the fictional Emerald City on the Hotel del Coronado itself, and you have the stuff that creates movie magic right at your fingertips.
Located in Coronado, California, just a short water-taxi or ferry ride across the bay from San Diego, the Hotel del Coronado is one of the last surviving examples of a Victorian-era wooden beach resort. This beachfront luxury hotel was built in 1888 and was the first to use electric lighting. Thomas Edison himself supervised the hotel’s wiring! At that time, The Del was considered a splash of civilization to visitors traveling by dust-covered wagon or crowded railroad car through the untamed American West.
More than a century has passed since the formal opening of the Hotel Del Coronado, but contemporary guests still see this grand lady of the sea as an escape where guests can experience the opulence of the Victorian era. Many visitors are drawn to the hotel looking to encounter literary and cinema history. The hotel touches their imagination with whispers about the past in a visceral way that allows guests the opportunity to have a firsthand “Pop Culture Travel” experience.
Some enthusiasts visit The Del seeking the fictional Land of Oz. Author L. Frank Baum used to sit in a rattan rocking chair outside of the hotel’s majestic formal dining room, The Crown Room, contemplating the Pacific Ocean while writing three of the books from his Oz series: Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, The Road to Oz and The Emerald City. Baum even designed the crown-shaped chandeliers for that dining room, which were reportedly inspired by the crown worn by the lion in the Wizard of OZ.
According to the Heritage Department at the Hotel del Coronado, Baum’s habit was to work from early morning until noon because he generally spent the afternoon “in realizing that he is truly again at Coronado.” It’s very easy to see why Baum found the hotel so enchanting and inspirational. With its fanciful red roofs, magical spires and whimsical design, The Del is as close to the Emerald City that you can ever get in real life.
Photo Credit: Steven l. Youngblood
Interesting info Cheri.
Great shot very interesting info. Beautifuly presented.
Wonderful shot, Cheri! Fascinating information, as well,
Once again…Great detail.. and information…..On a lifetime legend….Thanks for that ……
This is a really enticing description of a Hotel where I’ve stayed – it makes me want to visit, but… but… for your information, Amsterdam’s Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky was using electricity in 1883 – and has almost as much history.
great info
Cheri – you’ve always got a well researched and interesting story to share that breathes life into these grande and historic places and times. I secretly suspect that you have a Delorean in your garage!
Well-researched!Now I want to go there!
Excellent blog! Wonderful information
Absolutely wonderfully well written travelogue…Great job!!!
I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that i have really enjoyed reading your posts.
Loved the hotel when I stayed there. A magnificent place!
For me the main disappointed was the historic Babcock and Story bar. When it opened the San Diego Tribune described it as “undoubtedly the largest and most elegantly appointed saloon on the coast.” Oh how times do change. The bar is still there, sadly competing with a fast food counter. The bar was famous for two signature cocktails – Klondike Bar and the Singapore Sling. The bartender told me he had never heard of the first and he didn’t have the ingredients for the second. ( a Singapore Sling!!!!!) This is the only bar I have visited in one of America’s historic hotels where they have not been able to serve a signature cocktail. I settled for a dry martini which was dreadful. Cheap vodka, insufficiently chilled and served in a greasy glass. One olive, no snacks offered.
The setting of the hotel is magnificent and it looks great. It is just no longer a class act.