Writing is tough job, of course, but someone has to do it, right? What better way to research for my Pacific Coast Investigations series than to visit the Southern California Island resort town of Coronado, home to the historic Hotel Del. Here are a couple of coolio facts about Coronado which may or may not have made their way into Dangerous Tidings.
Coronado Island isn’t really an island. It’s a peninsula. Back (way back) in the day, it was used as a manly destination for jackrabbit hunting, and was home to an ostrich farm. Go figure.
2. Spreckels (yes, that Spreckels) started Tent City, a luxurious self-operating village of several hundred tents and thatched roof cottages south of the Hotel del Coronado. Tent City flourished for nearly four decades, until it was closed in 1939 to make room for the highway.
3. Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis filmed Some Like it Hot at the famed Hotel Del Coronado.
4. Today, during the Christmas season, you can enjoy the festivities on the Hotel Del Grounds, including the ice skating rink which sits immediately next to the beach. No joke!
Where do you like to spend your holiday season, peeps? I would love to hear your comments. Giving away a signed book, an iTunes gift card and a Christmas treat this month!
Fiction 4 Writers and Readers 
Posted by Renee on November 21, 2015 at 5:00 pm
I usually spend my holidays with family, we all live in the same area so its easy to be together, but I wouldn’t mind spending my holidays somewhere else, possibly where it’s warm… Possibly California! I have never been and would love to see it 😀 This Christmas though me and my sister are cooking for my parents, they just get to sit back and relax this holiday season 🙂
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Posted by dana mentink on November 21, 2015 at 8:52 pm
We’re in Northern, CA, Renee so we get chilly weather (by that I mean it can dip down into the 30s), and you can see the beautiful fall colors. You’d enjoy it here, except for the traffic!
Dana Mentink award winning fiction author http://www.danamentink.com
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Posted by Jackie Wisherd on November 14, 2015 at 6:04 am
Did you also know that Frank Baum wrote The Wizard of Oz while staying at the Hotel Del? I have been there many times for luncheons, buffets and tours…never overnight though. It isn’t far from where I live and out of town guests love whenI take them there.
I usually spend my Holidays in the Pasadena area and enjoy going to the Rose Parade.
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Posted by dana mentink on November 14, 2015 at 2:59 pm
Oh yes indeed! I actually think reading the Oz books as a kid is what made me want to be writer! I was thrilled to visit a place where Baum used to share some of his story ideas with the young visitors. So special! 🙂
I’d love to go to the Rose Bowl someday!
Dana Mentink award winning fiction author http://www.danamentink.com
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Posted by Kate James (@KateJamesBooks) on November 12, 2015 at 9:32 pm
Dubai or Istanbul. I would send you pictures but I can’t in this comment box! Please do NOT enter me in your giveaway, as I am more than happy to purchase your books! 🙂
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Posted by dana mentink on November 13, 2015 at 12:13 am
Wow! I would love to hear about your travels sometime, Kate! 🙂
Dana Mentink award winning fiction author http://www.danamentink.com
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Posted by Jasmine A. on November 12, 2015 at 8:55 am
The holiday season is very, very, low-key in my family. But we do go to my Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, yummy!
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Posted by dana mentink on November 12, 2015 at 1:40 pm
To grandmother’s house we go!
Dana Mentink award winning fiction author http://www.danamentink.com
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Posted by Kathy Sinn on November 10, 2015 at 5:15 pm
Hi Dana,
Hope the family is doing well. I was wondering if all your books are in large print? Could you tell the girls that I was talking about them 2 different times last week. I told the story of Ashley’s birthday party and the Jedi training the kids received.
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Posted by dana mentink on November 10, 2015 at 6:20 pm
Hi, Kathy! Nice to hear from you! Yes, the books are all in large print when they are released in print. How nice of you to think of my bear cubs. They had fun at the Jedi training school! 🙂
Dana Mentink award winning fiction author http://www.danamentink.com
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Posted by Angela B on November 9, 2015 at 7:17 pm
I like to spend it at home. All of my family lives in the same area of the state, so nobody has to travel far to visit other family members.
That hotel reminds me so much of the Grand Floridian at Walt Disney World. I wonder if it was the model for the Grand Floridian. I stayed in the Grand Floridian once (mostly paid for by hubby’s employer, fortunately), and I loved it. I like to go to WDW in December because of the decorations, special shows, and parades, but I want to be home for Christmas.
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Posted by dana mentink on November 9, 2015 at 9:42 pm
Would love to see the Grand Floridian!
Dana Mentink award winning fiction author http://www.danamentink.com
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Posted by Kathleen D. Anderson on November 9, 2015 at 4:50 pm
I like to spend Christmas with family whether at my home or theirs. I really enjoy spending time with my grandchildren. I especially like all the Christmas parades, concerts and other activities during this holiday season. I truly enjoy watching the Water Fountain Show at Precious Moments in Carthage, Mo.
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Posted by dana mentink on November 9, 2015 at 9:43 pm
Oh! A water fountain show sounds like fun!
Dana Mentink award winning fiction author http://www.danamentink.com
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Posted by Karen Meyer on November 9, 2015 at 4:39 pm
With the children and grandchildren! But last Christmas, this big family gathering was NOT at our house, but a daughter’s house. Much easier for us!
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Posted by dana mentink on November 9, 2015 at 9:44 pm
That’s nice to have a break from the cooking and cleaning sometimes. 🙂
Dana Mentink award winning fiction author http://www.danamentink.com
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Posted by Beth Carpenter on November 9, 2015 at 3:22 pm
I’m a homebody during the holidays, but that resort does look tempting. And while I’m not a fan of ice skating, it would still be a cool place to pop in and get in the Christmas spirit after too much sun and sand. Lovely.
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Posted by dana mentink on November 9, 2015 at 3:31 pm
It was lovely, but I agree with you , Beth. There’s no better place than home for the holidays! 🙂
Dana Mentink award winning fiction author http://www.danamentink.com
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