The Perfect Getaway: A long weekend in San Diego at Hotel del Coronado
With one of America’s finest beaches at its doorstep, San Diego offers a wide range of dining, water sports, and other activities — plus an indelible Hollywood connection.
By David Swanson | XX DATE XX (Updated October 20, 2025)
Located just across the bay from downtown San Diego Coronado is the California beach town defined — with Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton its crown jewel. Since its 1888 opening, the resort has hosted royals and celebrities, perhaps none more famous than Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, and Tony Curtis, who filmed the 1959 classic “Some Like it Hot” here. Here are some of the best ways to spend a long weekend at this California icon.
Friday
Morning
Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton, or “The Del,” as it’s affectionately known, brims with historical details. Check in to your home away from home and immediately get acquainted with a visit to the resort’s 1889 Ice House Museum to discover how it became the first hotel west of the Mississippi with electric lights and boasts a guest list with at least a dozen U.S. presidents — and a few ghosts Take a self-guided audio tour around the resort or go behind the scenes on the daily 90-minute docent-led tours. The nearby Coronado History Museum also conducts walking tours of the area.
Afternoon
Ease any lingering travel strain at Spa & Salon at The Del. Choose from a range of facials like the Lactic Cooling treatment, designed to exfoliate and repair skin tissue, or the Snow Algae Refresher, which cools and soothes while detoxing skin cells. Have your stress kneaded away with a classic Swedish or Thai massage or try foot reflexology after a long day of sightseeing or beach activities. Treatments like the Organic Lavender and Seaweed Body Scrub or the Organic Warm Spiced Mud Wrap are perfect indulgences to feel truly rejuvenated.
Evening
As if seaside views and stunning sunsets weren’t enough, the resort’s Sun Deck adds craft cocktails and a delicious menu of coastal favorites to your stay. Comfortably casual and the perfect place to spend an evening, watch the waves roll in as you sip drinks such as the Hibiscus Paloma or the Some Like It Spicy alongside dishes such as poached rock shrimp, steak frites, or pineapple upside down cake. Plus, the kid’s menu ensures there’s something everyone in your party will enjoy.
Saturday
Morning
Following a complimentary yoga session on the beach, head to The Del’s heated cabana pool, an Olympic-sized oasis ringed by cabanas (available to rent), along with ample chaise lounges and umbrellas. During the summer months, there’s also a 10-minute immersive virtual reality snorkeling experience. Hop in the pool with real snorkeling gear and a VR mask that brings to life four thrilling adventures: from exploring the ocean and diving into the fictional ruins of Atlantis to voyaging through space or skydiving.
Afternoon
Contact the resort's expert concierge team to learn more about reserving a tee time ahead to play the Coronado Golf Course, the town’s municipal course located just one mile from the resort. Rated one of the best public golf courses in the country, it offers attractive non-resident greens fees and rental clubs. Set alongside Glorietta Bay and wrapped by views of downtown San Diego and the harbor, it’s a delight for both novice and expert golfers. There’s also a driving range for those looking to practice and polish their skills before hitting the green.
Evening
Savor a sumptuous dinner at Serea, the resort’s Michelin-recognized celebration of sustainable seafood. The highlight is locally sourced whole fish served flash-fried or wood-grilled. Don’t overlook the shellfish platter (oysters, Mexican blue shrimp, Maine lobster and seasonal crab), served iced or wood-roasted; the fresh sashimi, and Serea’s mezze platter with hummus, house-made pita bread, whipped cheese, olives, and Marcona almonds.
Sunday
Morning
Start your day at The Del’s exclusive beachfront Ocean Club with a scrumptious breakfast buffet, plus à la carte items and mimosas. When you reserve a spot at Ocean Club, you’ll also get member-for-a-day privileges at The Beach Club, which includes access to daybeds on the hotel’s private stretch of sand, complete with VIP service. Refreshing, infused water and light snacks are included in your day fee, while an all-day dining menu allows you to order full meals and drinks at any time.
Afternoon
Always wanted to take surfing lessons? Then sign up for the Del Surf Academy Coronado Surf Lessons. The resort’s expert surf instructors are ready to help you improve how you ride the waves, no matter your skill level, with the manageable waves of Coronado Island providing the perfect backdrop. Small group or private lessons are offered daily with wet suit and board provided.
Evening
Take full advantage of your day pass at the Ocean Club by settling in for a sunset dinner overlooking the sand. Located in the Windsor Cottage, a restored 1906 beach bungalow with a wraparound deck, it’s the ideal place to indulge in the Dungeness crab cake, seared Scottish salmon, or blackened steak frites. As dusk falls, a champagne toast accompanies s’mores at the evening bonfire.
Monday
Morning
Rent an e-bike at The Del and cycle down the car-free path that lines Silver Strand State Beach and links Coronado to Imperial Beach, California’s southernmost beach community. At the southern end of the bay, the hills of Tijuana float on the horizon, while the water of San Diego Bay sparkles like diamonds, courtesy of the salt crystals harvested here. Want to explore San Diego? You can bike to the Coronado Ferry Landing and take the ferry to explore downtown.
Afternoon
You probably haven’t had your fill of the beach yet, so tuck your toes into the sand and enjoy. The Del’s seaside Beach & Taco Shack has a short list of tacos to order, delivered to your lounger alongside a margarita or local brew. A hot pick is the grilled fish taco, a San Diego favorite with Pacific mahi, avocado, cabbage, salsa verde, lime crema, and pico de gallo.
Until next time!
This may be it for this trip, but with summertime roller skating rinks, wintertime holiday decor, movies under the stars, and more, it’s easy to find a reason to visit this beachfront resort in every season. Trust us, with so much more still left to experience, your long weekend trip will leave you with great memories and an itch to plan your return to San Diego!
David Swanson
A San Diego-based freelance travel writer-photographer since 1995, David Swanson has been published in more than 50 North American newspapers and dozens of magazines and websites. As a third-generation San Diegan, he grew up living the quintessential California dream: beaches at the front door, lemon trees and rosemary bushes outside the pantry and mountains and desert in the backyard. Coronado, and Hotel Del Coronado, has been a treasured escape since his childhood. Swanson's recent outlets include Virtuoso magazine, Travel + Leisure, National Geographic Traveler, AARP, the Los Angeles Times, Westways and others. He is author or co-author of 17 different travel guidebooks, most recently, “100 Things to Do in San Diego Before You Die.”
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