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Find the best rate at the: Hotel Del Coronado here.

A National Historic Landmark, the Hotel Del Coronado dates to 1888, an era when wealthy patrons came to the shore for months. The 680-room, 28-acre, grand dame property—combining an older Victorian main building plus newer lodging—is located on a peninsula across the bay from San Diego. The wide, white-sand beach has great tidepools for little kids to explore and the resort offers boating, sailing, kayaking, tennis, and spa facilities. A new infinity pool overlooking the Pacific opens summer 2006. You can also rent bicycles and surreys to pedal along Coronado’s bay and beachfront bike trail. Across the bay in San Diego, visit SeaWorld Adventure Park, the San Diego Zoo, and the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

Why Families Love It:
Tent City Kids, the Hotel Del’s year-round activities program for ages four to 12, is organized into themed, three-hour sessions. At the Wild Animal Adventure, kids go on an animal scavenger hunt and make animal puppets. During the Hawaiian Luau, children fashion leis, have a limbo contest, and sculpt volcanoes on the beach. Check ahead with the hotel for schedules and rates, which vary according to season and meal requirements.

At the daily, year-round, one-hour craft sessions ($25), ages four to 12 make and fly kites, create their own Coronado sand candles, and collect shells for memory boxes. Teens 12 to 17 meet at the Coast Club Teen Lounge for video games and snacks. The resort also offers year-round activities for ages 12 to 17 such as teen-only kayaking, surfing, biking, and tennis, as well as spa offerings and summer pool parties.

Special Events & Activities:
Check out the Radical Reptile show, offered once a week in summer ($15).