Coronado, however you want it.

Welcome to Coronado, a stunning oasis that showcases man's ability to transform arid landscapes into beautiful masterpieces. In 1886, Elisha Babcock and Hampton Story purchased the land for $110,000 and set out to build a resort community by the sea. They planted trees, constructed a waterway and power plant, and zoned the area, auctioning off the lots to fund the project. A year later, the first official guests checked in at the $1 million Hotel del Coronado, which still stands tall as one of the few Victorian seaside resorts in the world. Coronado's history is rich with sugar tycoon John D. Spreckels falling in love with "The Del" and building a mansion on Glorietta Boulevard. He also established Tent City along the strand to appeal to the middle-class citizens, which thrived until 1939. The military's strong presence at Coronado began with the US Government's purchase of "North Island" from Spreckels in 1917, where the US Army, Marines, and Navy would make their home. It led to many firsts, including the first seaplane flight, the first mid-air refueling, and the first non-stop transcontinental flight.