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Four generations gather to share family fun near San Diego, California, at one of the region's most famous hotels.

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.