Hotel del Coronado

On February 19, 1888, the Hotel del Coronado opened its doors to the public, a marvel of Queen Anne style architecture designed by James W. Reid and Merritt J. Reid. Constructed largely of wood, the hotel was considered an engineering feat of its time, featuring the first electric lights ever used in a hotel. The grand opening was a lavish affair, attracting prominent figures from across the nation eager to experience the opulent amenities and the allure of San Diego's burgeoning resort scene. Early guests marveled at the immense dome in the main dining room, the intricate woodwork, and the innovative electric elevators. The vision of its founders, Elisha S. Babcock and Hampton L. Story, was to create a 'resort for the wealthy' that would put Coronado on the world map, a goal they resoundingly achieved with this magnificent structure rising majestically from the Pacific shore.