I’ve got one more post to share with you from my time in San Diego. I was told countless times when I announced I would be heading to CA, to be sure and go to Coronado Island, home of the well-known Hotel Del. My Birmingham friend, Janice, is a CA girl and told me all about it before I left. So I knew I could not miss this one!
Another sweet Birmingham friend who I met up with at BlogHer 11, Heather, decided to go with me and I was so glad she did. We had a fun afternoon on Coronado. 
We took a short ferry ride over to Coronado. No, that isn’t it behind us. The ferry was nothing fancy.  
Leaving San Diego behind, we took off across the water, a beautiful sky blue day with temps in the 70’s. Now that is a nice day!
Again, I can see why Californians are so proud of their state. Weather-wise they have got it made. Now real estate-wise, it’s another story. 🙂
I’m sure this bridge has a name, but I don’t know what it is. I was just enjoying the views. 
Beautiful San Diego! 
Arriving at Coronado Island. 
The ferry landing. 
This little area by the ferry was very cute, with shops and restaurants along the way.  
We couldn’t help but notice the sidewalks were stamped with seashells. How cool is that?
We stopped for a cupcake in this cute bakery. 
And then we started walking up the street towards the Hotel Del, our destination point. We were told it was about a mile. 
OK, so that’s not so bad with this view along the way.   Cute and adorable houses. I can definitely like this walk! 
These 2 cuties were inside one of the gates. Mr. Basset Hound wasn’t having any part of us. 
He let me know that we were not welcome in his yard. 
There were so many different architectural styles to look at. I can see why this would be a popular place to live. I’m sure it is sky high in pricing though. 
Beautiful! 
Citrus trees in the yards. 
Loved this one!
And this one! Hard to pick a fave. 
Oh wait! It might be this gray one with the pink Crepe Myrtle out front.
Check out the bark on these trees. We don’t have nothin’ like that in Georgia! 
Wait! This could be my fave! 
Oh, this tree was so pretty stretching up to the blue sky. 
This one was so colorful! 
We finally got to the heart of this area, right in front of the Hotel Del. There was plenty of activity going on, lots of restaurants and shops to choose from. 
Finally, we reached our destination and saw it in all it’s glory! Yes, indeed, the Hotel Del is breath-taking. Established in 1888, it looks like a vintage gem from old Hollywood. I can just imagine all the celebrities who have come through this stately hotel.
Isn’t it gorgeous? 
It was such a beautiful blue sky day, my camera was busy taking pics of this majestic beauty.
The massive Victorian-turreted Hotel Del, is where Edward VIII (then Prince of Wales) first met Mrs Simpson (then a Coronado housewife) in 1920 and where Some Like It Hot was filmed in 1958, posing as a Miami Beach hotel.
Gorge! 
Looking out to the beach. 
And back to the hotel from the beach. There was plenty of activity going on around here. 
Just lovely. 
We walked around to the front entrance to see inside.
And had someone snap pics for us. 
This place is something else! 
Inside was a glorius chandelier and all the woodwork was amazing. 
This is all we managed to see inside, but it was very impressive.
Out in the courtyard, a party was going on. That looks like fun! 
We had to hurry back to catch the last ferry back, but stopped in at a neat Italian restaurant, La Terrazza, and had a bite to eat. Cheese ravioli for me and it was delish! 
Waiting for the ferry, dusk fell. 
How beautiful San Diego looks at night.
Wow, I certainly enjoyed my trip to Coronado Island. What a treat and I’m so glad I managed to fit it in my whirlwind schedule to BlogHer11! It was so worth taking the time to go over and see it in person.
Have you been to Coronado Island before and the Hotel Del?
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I live in San Diego and one of my favorite places to take visitors is Coronado. As your photos displayed, wonderful architecture, fun shops and beautiful scenery. By the way, the bridge is the Coronado Bay Bridge. The ferry is a fun way to get over to the island… especially for those of us who are not too fond of heights! :>)
I expected amazing photos of San Diego during the daylight, but struck by how beautiful those images of it at dusk are. Thanks for sharing.
I have stayed there a couple of times it is just beautiful. They filmed the movie Somewhere in Time with Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve.
Actually, the movie “Somewhere In Time” was filmed at the Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan.
What a beautiful place! I would love to live in a place like that where the weather is beautiful all year ’round. I enjoyed looking at all the different houses on the route, and that hotel is magnificent!
Thanks for the fabulous tour. The beautiful photography made me feel like I was right there with you.
Jane
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I had the privilege of staying at the Del for 5 nights a few years ago thanks to a business trip my husband was on. The rooms were beautiful, very homey, but elegant. You know…that look we all want in our homes! The best toiletries…ah the scent of the sea and sun! Great coffee and croissants in the bakery…just about the best “vacation” ever!
Hey Rhoda!
I live in San Deigo (by way of New Orleans) so I can tell you for a fact that (oddly enough) the bridge’s name is “The Coronado Bridge” 😉
And you’re right about the price of property. The tiniest little shack in Coronado will cost you at least a million. yikes!
We are about 3 hours north of San Diego so we’ve been to S.D. many times. LOVED Hotel Del and walking on the beach in front of it. Coronado is such a fun little area.
Oh how I loved this post, I am a navy wife… a very blessed navy wife. A month after my husband and I got married he was stationed on Coronado Island. My first year of marriage was spent in paradise. For me it was the honey moon we have still yet to take. I, a fellow interior design enthusiast died with joy the first time I saw where I would be living for a year. It made my heart go pitter patter every time I walked that Island looking at all the different styles of architecture and beautiful flowers. My husband and I are now stationed in VA so getting to revisit Coronado for a brief moment was nice. P.s Ms Southern Hospitality I love love love your blog <3
Beautiful! But I especially like the pictures of the tree bark.
Rhoda;
Loved the tour of Hotel Del….there is so much more to this hotel though. This is where Prince of Wales had stayed and met a Coronado housewife Wallace Simpson…for whom he later gave up the throne.
And the hotel is reported to be haunted due to the death of two women, both suicides. They say a small boy and girl also walk the halls.
Just a fun sidenote.
Thanks for the memories. I used to go to Coronado Island all the time for work. I haven’t been in some time. One of my favorite things about the island were all the beautiful cottage style homes with great flowers and gardens. So pretty!!!
You lucky gal! SD is my favorite city in CA. I’ve only been to Coronado once but it is beautiful. Next time I’ll take the ferry.
Oh I adore Coronado! Your pictures really capture the beauty and appeal of that special little island, and isn’t that hotel fabulous? We stayed there once and in your room they have one channel that plays “Some Like It Hot” nonstop. My daughter (then 10) loved it and the movie is still her favorite to this day! Thanks for sharing your lovely trip!
xo
Kate
The title of your post today immediately caught my attention – I grew up in Coronado and my folks still live there. It’s a magical place to visit, but for now, I’m happy to call northern Calif my home. Thanks for sharing all the great pictures, the “Del” is still one of my favorite places and the pics brought back great memories. I’m glad you enjoyed your day on the island.
Just gloriously beautiful pictures, Rhoda. I’m sure you must have had a wonderful trip!
My sister was fortunate to have spent a week at the Hotel Del Coronado some years ago. That must have been quite an experience. I only got pictures!
I think I may have been on Coronado at the same time you were there. Wish I would have known. We stayed on the naval base there. I blogged about it here: http://sweetchaoshome.blogspot.com/2011/08/coronado-island.html. Maybe you’ll recognize some of the homes 🙂
Such a gorgeous place, and the weather is perfection!
What a nice photo tour you gave us! The hotel is amazing and I didn’t know that is where Prince William met Wally Simpson, so that was an interesting tidbit. It was gorgeous on Coronado!
I was born and raised in San Diego, Ca and at 59 yrs. still never saw the inside of the Hotel Del. I live out of state now and appreciated you sharing the photos of the inside of the buildings. Thank you so much.
Blessings, Janet W.
When I was a little girl I fell in love with the Del and dreamed of honeymooning there. But married a southern boy! Thanks for the pictures brought back good memories!!!!
Wow what a lovely tour with beautiful images! Felt like I was joining you! The bark on that first tree is amazing!
Veronica