There are few places in San Diego that are as iconic as the Hotel del Coronado, located in the Coronado area cross from the Bay. The hotel’s background is filled with stories of famous authors, visits from Hollywood elite during the “Golden Age” of film, and even a few supernatural tales throughout its halls.

Built in 1888, the Victorian-style Hotel is set just on the beach to overlook the waves and horizon of the Pacific Ocean. The hotel was originally designed to cater to the well-to-do, and attracted quite a notable legacy of guests. L. Frank Baum was said to have written “The Wizard of Oz” during his stays, and the Hotel del was the setting for Marilyn Monroe’s screwball comedy “Some Like It Hot”. For those who enjoy the prospect of a potential experience into the unknown, the ghost of Kate Morgan is said to haunt one of the rooms, waiting for her husband who never arrived.

While built as a premiere resort, it is not uncommon to see non-hotel visitors or local residents spend an afternoon on the beach, or sipping coffee and listening to piano music in one of the lobbies. The hotel also provides several quality restaurants and a shopping promenade, which features clothing, jewelry, toys and souvenirs.

For those wanting to fully pamper themselves during their stay, the hotel offers a spa for massages, facials and body restoration, or for the more athletic, surfing or tennis.

The Hotel del Coronado is designed for that oft-needed quiet and restful getaway, offering an unforgettable experience with its beachfront atmosphere and classic-styled architecture. Visiting the hotel is almost like stepping back through time to a simpler age, and is ideal for those wanting to slow things down for a relaxing change of pace.

As tourists and weekend visitors tour through the heart of Old Town, San Diego’s first Spanish settlement, it isn’t hard to find quality restaurants that bring traditional Mexican cuisine with the flair of a festive and colorful setting. However, it becomes hard to resist the sight of a Hispanic woman busily flipping handmade tortillas in front of a restaurant. Further exploration yields a chance to sample one of these treats, as well as experience one of the finer restaurants in the area: Café Coyote.

Voted “Best Mexican Restaurant” for 2005 and 2006, it’s easy to see how the restaurant earned the title. Once settled, the diner is served an endless supply of fresh chips and salsa, and the opportunity to try one hundred and ten various forms of tequila, some gourmet types that range well into the $125 a shot category. For those that are a little less daring, quality margaritas can still be had at lower prices, and drinkers can get recommendations by the restaurant’s resident “Tequila Ambassador”. Once comfortable, guests can sit back and enjoy the game with the Cantina’s television, or be serenaded by one of the mariachi guitarists.

The meals themselves are varied and tasty, ranging from standard Mexican fare with chicken beef, or seafood, but there are also monthly recommended specials which offer monthly and holiday themed foods served in the restaurant’s distinctive style. For those looking for fresh ingredients and large portions, a serious diner will not walk away from the meal disappointed.

Once the meal is complete, desert becomes a whole other adventure. Many Mexican deserts, such as flan, can be found on the menu, or those wanting something less traditional can try Old Town Candy and Ice Cream, which serves up several cool treats, classic-style candies and homemade fudge.

With a menu full of traditional favorites, a fully stocked bar, and a few culinary surprise treats, Café Coyote provides an excellent dining experience that doesn’t wear heavily on the wallet.

For those who exclusively tour the Gaslamp District for the latest in clubs, fine restaurants, and nightlife, one can miss many of the treasures found within the various shops and galleries. Among those hidden treasures is the Ashby Gallery, home of a unique and extremely talented artist by the name of Tim Cantor.

Located adjacent to the Horton Grand Hotel, there’s a certain feeling that pervades the senses when walking into the gallery. Visitors are greeted by soft, dreamlike music that accentuates the surreal paintings inside, and look to be the result of an imagined production of Cirque du Soleil if it were directed by Tim Burton. Accompanying these images is the curator and Tim’s wife, Amy Cantor. Amy greets each guest with elegance and a warm smile that evokes a sense of familiarity, even if it’s the first time in visiting.

Tim himself is something of an enigma. He rarely makes appearances on the gallery floor, allowing Amy to be the spokesperson for his work, and answer questions on his behalf. Instead, he spends each night working on his creations well into the next morning. Whenever he is spotted, however, Tim is gracious enough to share insights behind the influences of his work, or sign a copy of his art book.

Originally from San Francisco, Tim and his wife moved to San Diego in the early 2000’s to open the Ashby Gallery downtown, where it has maintained success, and continual updates of works throughout the year. Semi-annual art shows are held at the gallery to showcase his continual evolution in artistic style.

It is not uncommon for a random painting to catch the eye of the person walking by the gallery window, and once drawn inside, it is just as simple to become a fan of Tim’s work. There are elements found in the paintings that can speak to the dreamer in each of us, and once awakened, can become an unforgettable experience.