Coronado in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

"Imagine Tent City"

Dedicated September 2009

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 10, 2018

1. "Imagine Tent City" Marker

Inscription. On this site in 1900, Coronado Beach Company opened Tent City for vacationers on a budget. Until 1939, thousands of people from Southern California and beyond vacationed here between June and September, enjoying the fresh air, nightly concerts, dances, sports, and visits with old friends. Tent City also featured a large bath house, an open plunge with a sand bottom, and a restaurant. "Tent City News" provided information about daily activities, hours of Sunday church services, and news of visitors. The tents were semi-permanent with solid floors and canvas walls and ranged from family size to a small single. They were furnished with hand-me-downs from the Hotel del Coronado.

Todd Stands, Artist
Architect: Tucker Sadler Architects, Inc.
Planning: Peter W. Fait, Associate Planner
Graphic Tile by Winsor Fireform, LLC
Photographs Courtsey of: Coronado Historical Association
Hotel del Coronado
San Diego Historical Society

Erected 2009 by Coronado Historical Association, Hotel del Coronado, San Diego Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Notable Events

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• Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 32° 40.701′ N, 117° 10.405′ W. Marker is in Coronado, California, in San Diego County. It is on Strand Way, on the right when traveling west. Located on Marina A, Glorietta Bay, at the east end of the pergola. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1715 Strand Way, Coronado CA 92118, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Oxford (approx. 0.2 miles away); Laundry (approx. ¼ mile away); J.D. Spreckels House - 1908 (approx. ¼ mile away); Dragon Tree (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hotel del Coronado (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Naked Warrior (approx. 0.3 miles away); Christmas Tree

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 10, 2018

2. "Imagine Tent City" Marker

(approx. 0.3 miles away); Carlin House - 1939 (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coronado.

"Imagine Tent City" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 10, 2018

3. "Imagine Tent City"

The west side of the mural.

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 10, 2018

4. "Imagine Tent City"

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 10, 2018

5. "Imagine Tent City"

Another mural on the west end of the pergola.

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 10, 2018

6. "Imagine Tent City"

At the west end of the pergola.

<i>Children's Bullfight, Coronado Tent City, Cal.</i> image. Click for full size.

Postcard published by Newman Post Card Co. (courtesy of UC San Diego), circa 1910

7. Children's Bullfight, Coronado Tent City, Cal.

<i>Tent City, Coronado, California</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Postcard published Edward H. Mitchell (courtesy of UC San Diego), circa 1910

8. Tent City, Coronado, California

<i>Tent City, Coronado Beach, Calif.</i> image. Click for full size.

Postcard published by Detroit Photographic Co. (courtesy of the New York Public Library), 1904

9. Tent City, Coronado Beach, Calif.

Coronado Tent City News - Official Program image. Click for full size.

courtesy of UC San Diego, July 25, 1915

10. Coronado Tent City News - Official Program

Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 920 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 11, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on September 12, 2018. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.