San Diego and The "Del" Hotel (and that man Beckham again)

Friday 11th and we decide to drive down to San Diego for a visit to one of the cleanest cities in America. 

The layout of the city is wonderful being sheltered from the ocean by a large sea water bay which allows a perfect port for the US Navy dockyards to be based. We could see at least 3 aircraft carriers from the shore and there may have been more being serviced or repaired.

San Diego is a very modern city which is famous for its city Zoo (the largest in America) and the very first Sea World which opened in San Diego 1964. 

We had a great time exploring the old coast line before heading over to Coronado island which is the strip of land that protects the main city from the ocean.

We went to visit a very famous old hotel called the "Del Coronado" but locally known simply as "The Del" 

Built in 1888, this old building has been host to Presidents and movie stars for decades.

It was also the hotel where they filmed "Some Like It Hot" with Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe.

Outside the hotel there is a long beach with the softest sand (like baking flour) and so we proceeded with our beach towels and

 swimming costumes to shuffle down the beach for a swim in the Pacific Ocean (the first time for some of our party)

When out in the water was the very distinctive tattoed figure of the ex captain of England playing with his son in the Pacific waves. Yes Mr. Beckham had followed us all the way to "The Del" just so that he could see us one more time.





He parked himself beside us on the beach and offered a few autographs to the now starstruck Victoria (she had idolised Beckham from the age of 11) and spent time being mainly anonymous to the rest of the busy beach bums.

We let him splash around with us when his son was busy (see picture of Laura and Carolyn below) and after that we said we had to leave and get back to Los Angeles.

He said that his wife would have the tea ready too so he has better get back up to Beverly Hills in his helicopter - but not before getting all the sand off his feet because she was a very "posh" lady (his wife that is) and wouldn't stand for the messy sandy floors.

And so Mr. Beckham made Victoria very happy and gave the rest of us something to talk about on blogs like this......

Here are more pictures from the day: