Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, California

Opened in 1888, Hotel del Coronado is a grand Victorian beachfront hotel located just across the bay from downtown San Diego, California. Playing host to royalty, presidents, and celebrities, it was the largest resort in the world when it opened. 

This massive property gained popularity in the early 20th century as a playground for Hollywood's A-listers. From Douglas Fairbanks to Charlie Chaplin to Clark Gable, there was no shortage of big names that stayed here. Understandably, this has continued to this day. Hotel del Coronado has also been the setting for several major films, including one of my all-time favorites, Some Like it Hot starring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe.

While visiting around Christmas there was a giant outdoor skating rink that proved to be incredibly popular. As novel as it was for southern Californians to skate outside, it was just as novel for a Canadian like me to see it happening on a beach. Hotel del Coronado is a pretty spectacular place, and those views on Coronado Beach aren't bad either.

Hotel del Coronado ca. 1900

Charlie Chaplin at Hotel del Coronado ca. 1921

Marilyn Monroe filming "Some Like It Hot" at Hotel del Coronado ca. 1958

Snowman made of sand on Coronado Beach.