Christmas Tree First at the Hotel Del Coronado
The Beginning: A Historic First (1904)
On December 25, 1904, the Hotel del Coronado made history by unveiling the world’s first electrically lit, outdoor living Christmas tree. The towering Norfolk Island pine stood about 50 feet tall and was strung with roughly 250 white electric bulbs creating an astonishing sight at a time when electricity itself was still a novelty and most American homes relied on gas lamps or candles.
The tree had been planted on the hotel grounds when the resort opened in 1888. What distinguishes the Hotel del Coronado’s display is that its tree was living, rooted in the ground earning it lasting recognition in holiday history.
Early Traditions
Victorian guests started celebrating the holidays in 1887 with a Christmas dinner in the Garden Patio before the hotel was even open for business. Coronado Times
The tradition of lighting the outdoor tree evolved over the years. In 1914, the hotel switched to colored lights and added a bright white star to the top. The annual lighting became cherished—until World War II, when coastal blackout regulations forced the display to go dark. After the war, the lights returned, though they were scaled back during the 1970s energy crisis.
Connection to The Wizard of Oz
L. Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz, stayed at the hotel repeatedly between 1904 and 1917. Times of San Diego He wrote portions of several books while residing there and even designed the chandeliers that still hang in the Crown Room. This connection has inspired recent holiday themes, including 2025’s “A Holiday in Oz.”
Modern Holiday Celebrations
Today, the Hotel del Coronado has become a world-renowned holiday destination with elaborate seasonal celebrations:
Annual Traditions Include:
- Skating by the Sea – A beachfront ice skating rink with Pacific Ocean views, benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego
- Dynamic Light Shows – The grove of century-old Norfolk Island pines on Founders Lawn features choreographed light displays with music and snow flurries
- Themed Decorations – Each year features a different theme (2023: “A Twenties Holiday Affair,” 2025: “A Holiday in Oz”)
- Lobby Christmas Tree – A spectacular multi-story tree decorated in the historic lobby
- Annual Collector’s Ornament – 33 years running, with unique designs each year
- Beachside Igloos – Private fire pits with s’mores for cozy gatherings
- Holiday Dining – Christmas Eve and Christmas Day feasts in the Crown Room
- Santa’s Arrival – Santa parachutes onto the beach at the Holiday Festival kickoff
The historic Norfolk Island pines continue to be central to the celebrations, with several trees now well over 100 years old.
For images of Christmas at the Hotel del Coronado, I’d recommend visiting the hotel’s official website at hoteldel.com/experience/holidays or searching for “Hotel del Coronado Christmas” on image search engines, where you’ll find beautiful photos of the light shows, ice rink, decorated lobby, and the historic Norfolk Island pines all lit up for the season!
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