Beach Bonfire

What could be say Southern California more than a beach bonfire at sunset?  I shot this last weekend, looking South toward the Hotel Del Coronado and the Shores condominiums.

There is no doubt about it... life is good in Coronado.

Ocean Avenue in Coronado

This shot is looking South on Ocean Avenue at sunset, toward the Hotel Del Coronado, with Mexico on the distant right side.

Day After Christmas

The day after Christmas is cloudy here in Coronado, but no worries; it's still a lovely place to be this holiday weekend!

I hope you got everything on your Christmas wish list.  I find that with each passing year, I hanker less for material gifts, and more for "experiences"... relaxing by the fire with my family and dogs, or tromping through the snow together in some far-flung location are at the top of my list!

Merry Christmas!

Moo Time Creamery

Moo Time Creamery is a Coronado institution.  They handcraft all their own ice creams from scratch, and the result is out of this world good.

We usually go to the location on Orange Avenue, but I took these pictures at the Hotel Del Coronado location Saturday night.

Ice Skating At The Hotel Del Coronado

This was the happy scene last night at the Hotel Del Coronado's temporary ice skating rink.  Skating by the Pacific Ocean beneath swaying palm trees is just one more sublime pleasure of living in Coronado. 

A line of patient skaters waited to enter the rink, while the rest of us sipped hot cocoa or a glass of wine, enjoying the magical holiday scene.  And yes, there were a few people wearing shorts, although I wore a sweater and jeans in the evening chill.

Oenology

Oenology is the science of wine, as well as the name of the wine bar at the Hotel Del Coronado.

My husband and I stopped in for an after dinner treat this evening, and ordered a flight of three chocolates with dessert wine.

It was a sweet start to the evening before joining a small crowd watching ice skaters on the Del's temporary ice skating rink, and strolling down the boardwalk by the ocean in the moonlight.

I'll post more photos tomorrow. 

Happy Holidays!

The Ghost Of Kate Morgan

Do you believe in ghosts?  

On November 29th, 1892, the body of Kate Morgan was found at the Hotel Del Coronado on an exterior staircase.  The San Diego coroner ruled the beautiful young woman's death a suicide, but rumor and speculation persist to this day.

For the past 118 years, the ghost of Kate Morgan has been said to haunt the hotel, occasionally surprising guests and employees with harmless mischief.  Books have been published on the subject.

I don't think I believe in ghosts, but the mystery surrounding this unfortunate young woman's death and the public fascination it still holds is intriguing.

Sunset on Ocean Avenue

The fading glow of sunset rolls down Ocean Avenue to the Hotel Del Coronado.  If you look to the right, and squint a little, you can see Mexico in the distance.

Glorietta Bay

Looking inland from Glorietta Bay, you can see the Hotel Del Coronado on the far left, the Coronado Yacht Club in the center frame, and a bit of the Coronado Municipal Golf Course on the right.  This is a fun area of Coronado, but there really are no bad parts of the island!

More To Explore

The sign on this telescope says There's More To Explore, and I just love that sentiment... there's always something more to explore, isn't there?  Even when we think we know a place (or person, or job), there's always more we can discover.

These photos are from the Sun Deck at the Hotel Del Coronado yesterday.  The second picture is the view from the telescope of the Pacific Ocean and Point Loma off in the distance.  You can see the entrance to the San Diego Bay on the far right.  The bay then continues to curve to the right, dividing Coronado and San Diego, until it is behind the Del. 

Sun Deck In The Morning

The skies cleared this morning just in time to meet friends for coffee on the Sun Deck at the Hotel Del Coronado.  After a couple days of rain, this outdoor get together was even more enjoyable.  Then again, a visit to this historic seaside resort is always a treat!

Hotel Del Coronado

Yes, I've photographed the Del before, but it's signature red shingled roof keeps me coming back.

The Dragon Tree Story

This exotic tree is over 100 years old, and was a backdrop in the Marilyn Monroe movie Some Like it Hot, filmed at the Hotel Del Coronado in 1958.  Some like it Hot is such a fun weekend movie, why not watch it and look for this unusual tree!?

The Dragon Tree is native to the Canary Islands, but has taken nicely to our Southern California weather.

Wine for the Weekend

Just love stopping at ENO Wine Room at the Hotel Del Coronado!  My husband and I shared this flight of Chardonnays one evening, and *somehow* I forgot to take a photograph until we were half-way finished.  They were all yummy, but the view was the show stopper.

Hotel Del Coronado

Nothing says Coronado like the historic Hotel Del Coronado!  Watch Marilyn Monroe in "Some Like It Hot" to peek inside this gracious resort hotel.  Yes, it's changed a bit since the movie was filmed in 1959, but not too much.

An Island-Style Wedding

I found this wedding site set up on the beach near the Hotel Del yesterday, with family members staking out their spot.  Isn't it wonderfully original?!  Congratulations to the bride and groom!

A Walk on the Beach

The Hotel del Coronado makes a gorgeous background for any photo! My husband and I went for an evening stroll on the beach tonight, and I caught these images.