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All About the Extras
The hotel can arrive child care through the resort concierge service, but it also works to time dinner (or adjust reservations) to coincide with an infant's nap time or to take advantage of the Del's onsite entertainment for older kids. Kidtopia and Kids Night Out are designed for the 4-12 set, while the unsupervised Vibz lounge is aimed at teens. See Activities section for more details.
Hotel del Coronado does not allow bare feet and swim attire in the lobby, and all kids have a curfew of 11 p.m. in the city of Coronado.
Getting around
You can rent bikes from the resort or grab a taxi. The Coronado Ferry Company or San Diego Water Taxi takes passengers across the harbor to downtown. You can rent a car through the concierge service or pay $25 per day to self-park at the resort.
Besides the $25 self-park fee, there is a $25 per day resort fee that covers in-room coffee, the newspaper, Internet, fitness facility and discounts at several major attractions.
When summer crowds hit, it can be disorienting to keep tabs on everyone, especially with waves that nudge kids down the beach. Have kids memorize a landmark to help find where your spot on the sand is. Make sure it isn't something generic, such as lifeguard stands (which are numerous).
The Art of Smart Timing
Ask the Californians when the best time to visit is, and they'll easily tell you it's fall. Price drop, but idyllic weather lingers. That may not be practical with school-aged kids, but parents of toddlers and preschoolers can benefit -- especially when it comes to keep track of roaming kids on less-crowded beaches.
Getting there
Coronado Island sits 120 miles south of Los Angeles, 16 miles north of the Mexican border and 14 miles from the San Diego International Airport. It's separated from San Diego by a sweeping two-mile bridge that leads to the five-square-mile peninsula shared by military bases, residents and resorts.
Amtrak's passenger train heads to San Diego, where buses, water taxi and a ferry will shuttle visitors to Coronado.
There is a Hertz desk right at the hotel for arranging car rentals.
For Mom and Dad
While kids are at Kidtopia or the Vibz lounge for teens, parents can savor a sophisticated early dinner or at least cocktails with ocean views at the Del's restaurants. There are cozy fire pits in front of Ocean 1500 or at the ENO wine bar, where servers help guests discover the best combinations among 300 wines, gourmet cheeses and artisan chocolate.
Spa at the Del
(619) 522-8100
For a luxury splurge, this spa with massages, hydrotreatments and other indulgences, is considered among the best hotel spas in the world. While there were no skilled therapists when the Del opened in 1888, it still plays off its early approach to health with fresh air and calming lull of waves. Relaxation areas with a fire pit and infinity pool let guests linger before returning to the family hubbub. Teens age 13 or older are allowed at the spa with consent of a parent.
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