Coronado’s gorgeous sandy beaches, mild climate, and island-like feel have made it popular with celebrities, entrepreneurs, and politicians looking for rest and relaxation. At Coronado Beach Resort, everyone who walks through our doors is a VIP, but it’s true that some visitors to Coronado attract considerably more attention than others.

Here are some of the famous figures who have visited or lived in the Crowned City over the years:

Orville Redenbacher, the popcorn king, lived in a condominium just down the street from Coronado Beach Resort. According to Ed Wright, our seasoned sales director, Redenbacher owned two weeks at our resort, which his nephew would use when he visited the peninsula. Redenbacher loved to hang out in the lobby at Coronado Beach Resort year-round and knew the staff there well.

L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wizard of Oz, lived in Chicago but enjoyed wintering in Coronado. In 1905, he wrote a poem about the peninsula, calling it the “Empress of the Sea.” You can still visit Baum’s historic home at 1101 Star Park Circle.

Liberace, the mid-century entertainer, was discovered at the Hotel del Coronado. According to the story, he was scheduled to perform on a night when the audience was so small, that the hotel gave him the option to cancel. Liberace chose to go on anyway. That night a TV producer was in attendance, and he immediately recognized Liberace’s talent. The entertainer signed a seven-year contract a few days later and went on to become a legend.

Marilyn Monroe, the film actress, shot Some Like It Hot at the Hotel del Coronado, literally steps from the spot that would one day become the Coronado Beach Resort. The chef at the Hotel del Coronado later reported that Monroe requested he make her the same dessert every day–a cold vanilla soufflé with egg-white decoration.

Eleven U.S. presidents have stayed at the Hotel del Coronado, including Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. Two of the hotel’s suites, the Summit Suite and Governor’s Suite, are named in Reagan’s honor.

These are just a few of the famous figures who stayed in Coronado. But you don’t have to be a celebrity to enjoy the peninsula. Our vacation condos on Orange Avenue provide affordable family-friendly accommodations right across the street from the Hotel del Coronado and special access to the amenities at Loews Coronado Bay Resort. Book your vacation by calling (877) 681-4170 and join the list of VIPs who have discovered this magical destination!