by Ronnie Greenberg andMel Greenberg, Photos by Mel Greenberg

The California sun plays hide 'n' seek through the morning mist, gently awakening the enchanting seaside village of Coronado.  Located on a 5-1/2 mile peninsula that forms the western boundary of San Diego Bay, Coronado's connection to the city of San Diego is the two-mile long San Diego-Coronado Bridge.  The Hotel del Coronado and local attractions made Coronado a great place for our family gathering.

It is accessible from the south by a narrow strip called the Silver Strand.  The Mexican border at Tijuana, is 16 miles south, and Los Angeles is a two-hour drive north.

Luring visitors with its charming island atmosphere, quaint picturesque scenery, and magnificent beaches, Coronado is a vacation paradise and aquatic wonderland.  In the past hundred years, presidents, royalty, and high society have enjoyed this splendid destination.  The vivid imagination of Frank L. Baum, author of "Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz", was stirred while living in his charming Victorian cottage in Coronado.  

The Hotel del Coronado

The gentle surf caresses the golden sands that border the renowned and legendary Hotel del Coronado (800/HOTELDEL).  "The Del" oceanfront resort is a magnificent, classic white-wooden Victorian masterpiece that has been delighting guests since 1888.  Topped by a striking red-peaked, cone-shaped roof replete with dormer windows, the hotel is surrounded by lush green lawns, towering palms, and perfumed flowers that bloom everywhere. It has been proclaimed a National Historic Landmark, and a member of the Historic Hotels of America.

The hotel has become a living legend with visits by thousands of celebrities and foreign dignitaries.  Fourteen United States Presidents stayed here, including Benjamin Harrison, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and most recently Bill Clinton and his family. 

Family Fun at the Del

Families have been coming to The Del for over a century.  From seaside bike paths and kite flying, to sunset sailing cruises and sand castle contests, the Del's beautiful stretch of sand and Pacific have much to offer.  The perfect spot for the sports-minded, the Del offers year-round fun and activities for children, teens, adults and seniors. Available programs offer a variety of holiday fun and traditions, for all ages.
Tent City Kid's Camp (ages 4-12) offers a full program that includes beach games, bonfires, seashore scavenger hunts and tide pool exploration.  Children can create different crafts each day at a 1-hour Kids Crafts session, making and flying kites, collecting shells to fill up memory boxes and creating their very own Coronado sand candles.  Who says the grownups get to have all the fun?  Now teenagers can also relax and renew at the Del with special Spa packages created distinctly for them.  Teens also get to enjoy a variety of tours and lessons in kayaking, surfing and more.  And, every Sunday night families gather at The Del's bonfire for tall tales and s'mores under the stars. 

The Del's Deluxe Facilities

Adults pamper themselves at the The Spa, located at the main pool.  A variety of heavenly treatments and massages are guaranteed to relax and rejuvenate.  Treatments touch all five senses through aromatherapy candles, herbal teas, relaxing music and a soothing atmosphere.  The Fitness Center features state-of-the-art exercise and weight training equipment and personal trainers are available.  A brand new Spa and Fitness Center is slated for completion at the end of 2006.  The Spa will include 22 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy, relaxation areas for men and women, and steam rooms.  The Fitness Center adjacent to the Spa will feature an aerobics/spin/Pilates' studio, exercise room and statte-of-the-are weight and cardiovascular equipment. 

The Del features a variety of new and dramatic dining venues. The energetic culinary team specializes in menu items created from local produce, herbs and spices, and market fresh fish, ensuring a distinctly Southern California dining experience.  1500 OCEAN, the Del's new signature ocean-view restaurant is set amidst glowing sunset colors, beautiful dark wood accents, warm lighting and the comfortable elegance found in a beachfront cabana setting.  Chef de Cuisine, Jason Shaeffer's menu showcases the freshest Southland Coastal Cuisine, with selections from Santa Ynez to Cabo San Lucas.  Sheerwater offers California coastal cuisine for breakfast, lunch, afternoon light fare, dinner and cocktails daily.  Their "Sun Power Kids" menu features healthy options that are fun to look at and taste great. The historic Crown Room, with chandeliers designed by Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum, gives families a chance to enjoy a delectable Sunday Brunch. Researvations for dining at the Del can be made by calling 619/522-8490.

Browsing at the Hotel del Coronado's "Shops at the Del" is lots of fun.  An eclectic mix of specialty boutiques and shops feature clothing for the whole family, beachwear, sporting goods, art, antiques, jewelry, toys, candy, souvenirs, and tee-shirts.

An exciting new luxury Beach Village with cottages and villas are in the works at the Del.  There will be 78 exclusive ocean-view guestrooms and suites, a private enclave with pools and hot tubs, front desk and concierge service, and access to all of the resort's amenities.  Offering one, two or three bedrooms, the suites will also feature a beautiful kitchen, and dining and living rooms with a cozy fireplace.  Many will have ocean view balconies or patios.

Known for over a century for its lavish service, and world-class facilities, the Del Coronado is located at 1500 Orange Avenue.  Call  your travel agent or 800/582-2595; 619/435-6611 for reservations, or visit www.hoteldel.com for more information.  

Family Fun Around the Sea

Seaworld of San Diego is a 190-acre marine life entertainment park located on Mission Bay.  There are more than 20 exhibits including the star attraction, Shamu the Killer Whale's new show "Believe."  Thrill to whales that soar into the skies, dolphins that entertain, and otters at play. For more information, call 800/25-SHAMU or 619/226-3901.

The San Diego Zoo located in Balboa Park, is home to over 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species. Top attractions are the baby meerkats, bush pigs and Giant Pandas Sui Lin, born in 2005, her mom Bai Yon and siglings Hua Mei and Mei Sheng.  The Ituri Forest is a wonderful attraction, a mysterious Central African tropical jungle where hippos swim, forest buffaloes wallow in mud, and monkeys leap overhead in trees. The Rain Forest Aviary is a dense Asian jungle filled with sights and sounds of  60 species of exotic birds. Call 619/234-3153 for additional information.

San Diego Wild Animal Park, located near Escondido, is a fascinating area dedicated to the preservation and display of endangered species.  More than 3,500 animals represent over 260 species. It is also a botanical garden with over  700,000 exotic plants. Favorite features include the Heart of Africa, a 32-acre safari walk through an African wilderness and Wgasa Bush Line Railway,  which offers the grandest views of rare African and Asian animals.   Call 760/747-8702 for more information.

Legoland in Carlsbad, located off the Cannon Road exit of Interstate 5, is a family theme park where everything is based on, or built with, brightly colored plastic Lego blocks. Geared for children 2-12, there are over 50 interactive rides and kid-powered attractions including the hot new pirate Shores.  Miniland features many buildings and famous landmarks plus a revamped New York City with an all-new Freedom Tower fashioned entirely of Lego bricks. For additional information call 760/918-5346.

How to Get There

An excellent freeway system makes travel by car easy throughout the county.  San Diego International Airport (Lindbergh Field), is served by all major airlines.  Amtrak (800/USA RAIL) passenger trains provide service to and from Los Angeles with a stop in San Diego across the bay from Coronado.  

Award winning travel writers and photo journalists, Mel and Ronnie Greenberg are based in Woodland Hills, California. Their articles and columns (including travel with grandchildren, and intergenerational) cover local, national, and international destinations, and appear regularly on both coasts.