California note
Hotel del Coronado still carries the old resort dream
Hotel del Coronado opened in 1888 and still stands out on Coronado Beach.
Hotel del Coronado is easy to spot. It has an old beach-resort look: red roof, white walls, wide sand, and a big sense of arrival.
The hotel opened in 1888. Its founders, Elisha Babcock and Hampton Story, helped shape more than the hotel itself. Their work also tied into early Coronado, including streets, services, and the idea of turning the beach into a destination.
The Del also tells a story about technology. In the late 1800s, a large resort needed power, elevators, water systems, laundry service, kitchens, and ways for guests to arrive. The pretty exterior was only part of what made the place work.
If you are in Coronado, it is worth seeing from the public beach side even if you are not staying there. The hotel shows how Southern California sold sunshine, ocean air, and comfort long before modern beach tourism took over.
Where to see it
Hotel del Coronado on Coronado Beach.
Sources
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Reviewed July 7, 2026
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