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LA JOLLA HOTEL HISTORY
If you had a choice, where would you stay while you were in La Jolla? The La Valencia or the Colonial?
They both have such history.
The La Valencia was built in 1926 as hotel apartments. In fact the name of the hotel was Apartmentos de la Sevilla, only to change the name to the current La Valencia Hotel in 1928. Hollywood was booming and the owner had connections. The owners hired a local man Reginald Johnson to build a beautiful spanish style hotel, like nothing else.
During WWII, since San Diego was the center of the war effort, hotel guests would perch on the verandas and patios to keep watch for enemy ships. Also, young brides would stay at the hotel, waiting for their husband’s return from over seas.
In 1956 the next door hotel, Cabrillo, was purchased and remodeled to identify with the Spanish architrecture. Now, La Valencia Hotel, with it’s pink cover, Whaling Bar, 100 rooms, and ocean views made it mark in La Jolla.
Just a few blocks to the south, stands the Four Diamond Grande Colonial Hotel. Built in 1913 the apartments were the first in the area of any signficance. But in 1925, the owner commissioned Frank Stevenson to design something that people would talk about. The Colonial was the first hotel west of the Mississippi to have sprinklers, and cement stairs. Today, the original fire doors still exist.
The Colonial was so upscale, it became the gathering place for the actors who were performing at the La Jolla Playhouse. Gregory Peck formed the La Jolla Playhouse so it would be a common occurrence to see Charlton Heston, Jane Wyatt, Groucho Marx, David Niven and others gather at the hotel.
The Colonial has gone through a series of remodels and finally purchase in 1988 for $13.5 million dollars by a Japanese firm and a name change to what it is today, The Colonial Inn and adding the restaurant, Nine-Ten in 2001.
So, the question is….where would you stay? The La Valencia and the Grande Colonial may have charged $20-$50 per month to stay in one of their rooms back in the 20’s, but I guarantee you will pay much more than that today just to stay over night.
La Jolla is my town…so, whether you chose The Colonial Inn, or La Valencia, you will be treated like a queen (or king) and have a fabulous time…and get a chance to live the history.
One more thing….both hotels are located right in the Village of La Jolla. The Walk Score in the Village is…..100 out of 100. ”Walkers Paradise”. Have fun walking.
