Best of Ranch & Coast 2023

Each year, we look forward to revealing readers’ choice favorites and our editors’ own picks for this annual celebration of the people, places, and organizations that make San Diego the vibrant community it is — where we love to live, work, and play. You may recognize some winners that have taken top honors over the years, but we also hope you’ll discover some new names that just might become your go-to favorites, too.  By Deanna Murphy and Mia Park

Best of Dining | Best of Diversions & Culture | Best of Family & Finance | Best of Fashion & Beauty | Best of Health | Best of Home | Best of People & Philanthropy | Best of Travel

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977, the historic Hotel del Coronado beach resort is a San Diego icon that dates back to 1888. The hotel has hosted celebrities, royalty, U.S. presidents, and beach-loving guests for generations, and historical milestones and entertainment industry lore fill its storied past. The Del was headline-grabbing from the moment it opened, when the electrified hotel was a true modern marvel to boast this then-rare technology. Between 1904 and 1910, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum resided at the hotel for months at a time. He wrote at least three books in the Oz series during that period (Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, The Road to Oz, and The Emerald City of Oz), and also designed the chandeliers in the famous Crown Room. Filmed at Hotel del Coronado in 1958, Some Like It Hot showcased the talents of Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon while the property’s Victorian architecture provided the perfect backdrop for the film. In 2021, San Diego firm Heritage Architecture & Planning completed a $14 million restoration of the front façade, veranda, and lobby of the Hotel del Coronado to recreate its historic appearance and ensure The Del’s legacy lives on. hoteldel.com