There was so much more to see, and so much more history to talk about -- but we had a short visit, and an even shorter video to share it with all of you. But if you ever get the chance to be in San Diego, it is a must see!
I love visiting historic buildings, and imagining what it was like. It all seemed so glamorous with the movie star photos, and sparkling chandeliers, but I know that our modern technology would have made it seem primitive today. Nonetheless, it was at the top of its game in its day, and was one of the first major hotels to be "electrified" because electricity was still a new invention.
I got really hot under the collar about the development that abuts this beautiful, historic place. (It is a National Historic Landmark.) The development obscures the visitor's view of the hotel, and also, and maybe more importantly, obscures the hotel's original view as it overlooked a beautiful green expanse, and the ocean beyond. Plus, it has a very modern feel, our of sync with the turn of the century charm of the original hotel.
How much is too much? Did they really need to build there? Some things should just be sacred, and I think the landscape of the Hotel Del Coronado is one of them. But I am sure that others fought this fight and unfortunately lost. Sigh.
At any rate, it was a lovely Valentine's Day diversion in the beautiful sunshine, rubbing elbows with the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable. And dreaming of our next trip to San Diego when we might just splurge and stay at the Hotel Del Coronado!