The history of many things on the Monterey Peninsula is wound up with the legend of Hotel Del Monte, one of the most luxurious resorts in America for 62 years, starting in 1880. Our tourism industry, golf courses and tradition of conservation can all be traced back to the development of Del Monte, whose splendor included a 20,000-acre private pine forest.
It would seem that the timeline ended when the resort was commandeered during World War II and stowed away behind the guarded perimeter of what became the Naval Postgraduate School. But in truth the Del Monte Hotel never really went away. Guests still arrive, enjoy the grounds and play golf. It just has a different name now: Navy Gateway Inns & Suites, open only to military and their âsponsoredâ guests.