San Diego Part 2
by Adrian Yong

This is my continued exploration on Coronado Island. Per my concierge's suggestion I decided to check out Hotel Del Coronado known as "The Del" by the locals. She told me that the hotel is famous and lots of movie stars/dignitaries have stayed in the hotel.

From my research, notable guests have included Thomas Edison, L. Frank Baum, Charlie Chaplin, Vincent Price, Babe Ruth, and Reggie White. The following presidents have stayed at the hotel: Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. It is one of the oldest and largest all-wooden buildings in California and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977 and is designated California Historical Landmark. (Source: Wikipedia)

When it is old there is always association with the place being haunted. Upon checking on the web it was confirmed that there are two rooms in the hotels that have reports of paranormal activities. The first is the legendary ghost of Katie Morgan. She was said to checked in the hotel and disappeared without checking out. Some said she was murdered and some said she committed suicide. Who knows.....! Anyway, if you dare, ask for room 3312.

The other is room 502 (now 3502) was rumored to be the love nest of hotel builder and owner E. S. Babcock. The ill-fated mistress staying in this room took her own life soon after learning she was with child. The body later disappeared, perhaps removed by someone wishing to avoid an ugly scandal. Today, lights sometimes flicker in the room, and outside the door, an icy chill may be felt. (Source: http://gothere.com/sandiego/Ghosts/HotelDel/default.htm).

Several sightings of apparitions also were reported by hotel staffs at hallways and certain areas of the hotels. I suppose "The Dell" does not need to hire reenactors to spice out the ambiance of the old looking hotel. They already have the permanent ones that show up without prompting.

Entrance signage

Famous front view facing the beach

The "Dragon Tree" that was used as the backdrop for the movie "Some like it hot" starring Marilyn Monroe filmed in 1958.

Hotel garden

Movie memorabilia of "Some like it Hot"

Sunset in front of the hotel

Stay tuned for more of San Diego....!