San Diego's Golden West Hotel turns 100
You may never stay at the Golden West Hotel on 4th Avenue in the Gaslamp, but you may want to consider a walk through for the fun of it. As one of San Diego's oldest hotels and city landmark number 96, it plays host to hundreds of tenants living in one of San Diego's most lucrative districts. The hotel sets itself apart for its antiquated interior. In fact, historical is the very essence of the Golden West from tile floor to stained glass ceiling and everything in between.
The hotel's location is indisputably one of the best in all San Diego. Its neighbor down the block is the shopping and entertainment extravaganza of Horton Plaza and traffic comes to a stop on F Street practically at its doorstep. So, why the one star rating on Yelp?
The hotel attracts long term tenants, mostly men, who are looking for weekly, and monthly rates to fit a modest budget. Amenities are sparse with wooden benches, rocking chairs, and a widescreen TV in the lobby. These furnishings are original from the early days of the hotel. Modernization has been mostly non-existent with everything in sight from a bygone era. This includes the wooden phone both with swivel doors and coin operated phones and an obsolete PBX switchboard set aside as a display piece. You can't help loving this place, unless you're a tenant.
Eugene Barrett is moving out after five years at the Golden West. "It's like nothing I've ever experienced before," he says. "Cheap, that's why I'm here."
His room is located on the third floor. The hotel is a labyrinth of hallways and a confusing number system for the uninitiated. His tiny quarters has a bed and dresser that take up all available space save for just enough room to stand and shuffle out the door. Bathrooms are located down the hall and shared with other tenants on the floor.
Barrett says management has been better recently and put out a lot of troublemakers. Regardless, he's not impressed and expresses himself colorfully. "These are the nosiest, nastiest, and stupidest people," he claims. "
The hotel has been in constant use since its opening in 1913. Originally called the Workingman's Hotel it was designed by John Lloyd Wright, son of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. According to legend, Will Rogers definitely stayed here, Wyatt Earp may have stayed here, and Mae West almost stayed here.
When you walk through the lobby don't miss the photographs taken at different stages of construction. These pictures are located along the wall near the wooden phone booths. On the opposite side of the lobby, near the rows of wooden rockers is the door of an old vault with a clock mounted on the wall. Check in with the clerk before going upstairs. They don't allow children up there. Take the stairs or brave the elevator with the expired permit.
Weekly room rates start at $150 and monthly go for $485. These rooms use a common bathroom. Rooms that include a full bath are always rented out. The hotel has 325 rooms available.
Golden West Hotel, 720 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101. Phone: (619) 233-7594.
Any questions or suggestions?
Contact Ken at brantingham1@earthlink.net
The hotel's location is indisputably one of the best in all San Diego. Its neighbor down the block is the shopping and entertainment extravaganza of Horton Plaza and traffic comes to a stop on F Street practically at its doorstep. So, why the one star rating on Yelp?
The hotel attracts long term tenants, mostly men, who are looking for weekly, and monthly rates to fit a modest budget. Amenities are sparse with wooden benches, rocking chairs, and a widescreen TV in the lobby. These furnishings are original from the early days of the hotel. Modernization has been mostly non-existent with everything in sight from a bygone era. This includes the wooden phone both with swivel doors and coin operated phones and an obsolete PBX switchboard set aside as a display piece. You can't help loving this place, unless you're a tenant.
Eugene Barrett is moving out after five years at the Golden West. "It's like nothing I've ever experienced before," he says. "Cheap, that's why I'm here."
His room is located on the third floor. The hotel is a labyrinth of hallways and a confusing number system for the uninitiated. His tiny quarters has a bed and dresser that take up all available space save for just enough room to stand and shuffle out the door. Bathrooms are located down the hall and shared with other tenants on the floor.
Barrett says management has been better recently and put out a lot of troublemakers. Regardless, he's not impressed and expresses himself colorfully. "These are the nosiest, nastiest, and stupidest people," he claims. "
The hotel has been in constant use since its opening in 1913. Originally called the Workingman's Hotel it was designed by John Lloyd Wright, son of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. According to legend, Will Rogers definitely stayed here, Wyatt Earp may have stayed here, and Mae West almost stayed here.
When you walk through the lobby don't miss the photographs taken at different stages of construction. These pictures are located along the wall near the wooden phone booths. On the opposite side of the lobby, near the rows of wooden rockers is the door of an old vault with a clock mounted on the wall. Check in with the clerk before going upstairs. They don't allow children up there. Take the stairs or brave the elevator with the expired permit.
Weekly room rates start at $150 and monthly go for $485. These rooms use a common bathroom. Rooms that include a full bath are always rented out. The hotel has 325 rooms available.
Golden West Hotel, 720 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101. Phone: (619) 233-7594.
Any questions or suggestions?
Contact Ken at brantingham1@earthlink.net
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