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1926
Sofia Hotel
San Diego, California
150 West Broadway, San Diego, California 92101
Original Property Opened in 1926
Historic Hotels of America member since 2008
ghosts
memorabilia
By the 1920s, Americans were on the move like never before. The evolution of touring cars, or “stage travel,” proved immensely popular, especially in San Diego. In time, the Pickwick Stages grew to become one of the three major stage lines in the country. With a large percentage of its cars based in San Diego, the company purchased land downtown for a hotel and terminal. Built in 1926, the Pickwick Hotel was distinguished by its Gothic Revival style, crenellated roofline, and terra cotta embellishments. After a major renovation, the property reopened as The Sofia Hotel—now a celebrated vintage hotel San Diego landmark—retaining its original character while offering a modern sensibility and serene style.
Discover
- Discover the Gothic Revival-style façade of the Sofia Hotel. Designed by master architect Wilber Peugh as a Pickwick Stage Lines hotel, the towering building features original architectural elements including the crenellated roofline as well as terra cotta and plaster embellishments.
- Discover the elegant lobby of the Sofia Hotel. Admire the painted molding, textured wallpaper, tufted rolled-arm sofas, contrasting artwork, and oversized light fixtures, all decorated in shimmering shades of purple, silver, and bronze.
- Discover the elegant accommodations of the Sofia Hotel. This historic hotel was the first hotel in San Diego to be built with en-suite bathrooms, and its marketing slogan was “A Room and a Bath for Two and a Half.” Enjoy the original large paned windows, dark mahogany furniture, and upholstered armchairs and ottomans.
Explore
- Explore the San Diego Zoo, the most visited zoo in the United States. The zoo was a pioneer in open-air, cageless exhibits that recreate natural animal habitats, and it is also one of the few zoos in the world that successfully bred the giant panda. See the more than 3,500 animals on a guided bus tour of the zoo or from the Skyfari gondola lift overhead.
- Explore Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre urban cultural park in San Diego that is a National Historic Landmark. Balboa Park hosted the Panama-California Exposition in 1915 and the California Pacific International Exposition in 1935, so be sure to see the historic Exposition buildings. Explore the open space areas, natural vegetation zones, green belts, gardens, and walking paths, as well as the museums, several theaters, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo in the park.
- Explore the historic Gaslamp Quarter, which is the historic heart of San Diego. This historic district features cultural offerings including festivals and other events, theaters, art galleries, symphony halls, concert venues, and museums, in addition to its Victorian architecture. Browse the boutiques, and take in the historic district from a rooftop bar or dining al fresco on the sidewalk. The Sofia offers a Gaslamp Walkabout every Saturday and Sunday morning.
Experience
- Experience a performance at La Jolla Playhouse, a historic theater on the campus of the University of California, San Diego. Many future Broadway productions are first staged at La Jolla. To date, the Playhouse has sent 32 productions to Broadway, which have won a combined total of 38 Tony Awards, and La Jolla itself won the 1993 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre.
- Snorkel, scuba dive, or kayak through the La Jolla Underwater Park. Encompassing 6,000 acres of ocean bottom and tidelands spread over four distinct habitats, traverse La Jolla Shores, La Jolla Canyons, Scripps Park, La Jolla Cove, and La Jolla Caves.
- Experience all that Torrey Pines has to offer, from its nature trails to its namesake beach. Play a round of golf at the Torrey Pines Golf Course, the country’s foremost municipal golf course, which is situated atop cliffs towering over the Pacific Ocean. Or go on an instructional tandem hang glider flight at Torrey Pines Gliderport, North America’s premier flight school.
Taste
- Enjoy unique cuisine at Truva which is opening soon!
- Taste the signature mussel bisque at Dobson’s Bar & Restaurant, a popular establishment for business lunches. Located in the historic Gaslamp District of San Diego, the restaurant is named after Paul Dobson, an American professional bullfighter. Admire the Tiger oak and mahogany wood-paneled walls, stained glass, enigmatic clock, and original tile floors.
- Savor Polynesian cuisine along with a world-famous Mai Tai in the San Diego Bay Harbor at Bali Hai. Located in Shelter Island’s first Tiki temple, Bali Hai is one of the largest original Mid-century Tiki temples in the world. Enjoy spectacular waterfront views and admire the more than 100 pieces of Polynesian art and artifacts, as well as the two Tiki icons, Mr. Bali Hai and The Goof.
Featured Offers
Best Available Rate
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.