The “Hotel Del” is a San Diego icon — a sprawling Victorian beachfront resort on Coronado Island that’s hosted presidents and royalty since 1888, and remains one of the most photographed hotels in the country. You don’t need to be a guest to enjoy it: wander the grounds, walk the beach out front (one of the widest and softest in the county), or grab a drink at one of the oceanfront bars and watch the sunset over the turrets. In winter, the hotel transforms part of its lawn into a seasonal outdoor ice-skating rink with ocean views — a genuinely unique experience for a beach town. Combine the visit with a walk down Orange Avenue’s boutique-lined main street, or make a full day of it with time on Coronado’s beach beforehand. It’s a short ferry or drive from the property and worth the trip even just for an hour.
