7" x 5" oblong pictorial wrappers. 31 pages, illustrations, 2 maps. The Hotel Del Monte was a large resort hotel from its opening in 1880 until 1942. It was considered to be one of the finest luxury hotels in North America. Charles Crocker, one of the California's Big Four railroad barons, established the resort through Southern Pacific Railroad's property division, Pacific Improvement Company. Hotel Del Monte was the first true resort complex in the United States. The property extended south and southeast of the hotel and included gardens, parkland, polo grounds, a race track, and a golf course. Originally used for hunting and other outdoor activities, the hotel's property eventually became Pebble Beach. The famous 17-Mile Drive was originally designed as a local excursion for visitors to the Del Monte to take in the historic sights of Monterey and Pacific Grove and the scenery of what would become Pebble Beach. Discusses the hotel with its appointments, amenities and grounds, the loc