Del Mar

 

Del Mar is a quaint seaside city located in San Diego County. Ideally positioned between San Diego and the coastal city of Encinitas, its total area is just two square miles. Solana Beach borders Del Mar’s famous racetrack to the north, Del Mar Heights runs alongside Del Mar to the east, Torrey Pines State Beach and the Torrey Pines State Preserve are to the south, and Del Mar’s entire western edge consists of unbroken Pacific Ocean seafront. Del Mar real estate includes beautiful custom-built homes, ocean-view condominiums, and lavish hillside villas.

 

• Gorgeous coastal scenery 
• Outstanding ocean-view restaurants
• Stunning homes
• Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds

 

This vibrant and sophisticated coastal community has been a tourist hotspot since the 1930s when Bing Crosby and other stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age made it their playground. Del Mar offers residents an enticing mix of beautiful beaches, fine dining, and fun at the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds.

Del Mar means “by the sea” in Spanish, and the community is popularly known as “the place where the surf meets the turf.” Del Mar’s many high-quality restaurants reflect this slogan by offering fresh seafood and meat dishes. Jake’s Del Mar offers an enchanting beachfront dining experience, where floor-to-ceiling windows provide a breathtaking ocean backdrop. Jake’s serves classic Southern California cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood dishes. Drop by for Sunday brunch specials, Fish Taco Tuesdays, or Monday’s all-night happy hour.

Located a few blocks back from the beach, Zel’s Del Mar is a lively contemporary American bistro with an outdoor fire pit and live music during the weekend. Close to the Del Mar Racetrack, The Brigantine has a menu of delicious surf ‘n’ turf platters, seafood classics, and grilled or broiled oysters. Other restaurant highlights include Pacifica’s award-winning steak and seafood, patio dining on the seashore at Poseidon, and chic Beeside Balcony’s Mediterranean-Californian fusion fare.

Del Mar’s mile-long racetrack hosts horse races from the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Friday night live music concerts, and family fun days each Saturday and Sunday. The racetrack has a special place in Del Mar’s history, with Bing Crosby leading its opening in the 1930s. The opening of the summer racing season in July is a marquee Del Mar event, with hat contests and parties. The summer season continues until September and, since 2014, a second fall season of races and events takes place between November and December.

Del Mar’s racetrack is located at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, which hosts more than 300 events a year, including its biggest event, the San Diego County Fair. Attracting as many as 1.6 million visitors between the last weekend in May and the Fourth of July weekend, the San Diego County Fair is the United States’ largest county fair, with more than 1000 attractions and performances. Highlights include live concerts from internationally-renowned musical acts and comedians, dozens of animal shows and exhibits, kid-friendly contests, classic car shows, fairground rides, and scores of food and drink vendors. 

Another huge annual event at the fairgrounds is September’s KAABOO music festival. KAABOO features three days of performances from some of the biggest names in rock and comedy, along with art installations and food and fashion vendors. Other popular events include the San Diego Home and Garden Show in October and Del Mar Antique Show in November. Away from the Fairgrounds, Del Mar Farmers’ Market has fresh seasonal produce and fitness classes every Saturday between 1 PM and 4 PM all-year-round.

Local school districts include Del Mar Union Elementary, Solana Beach Elementary, Rancho Santa Fe Elementary, San Diego Unified, and San Diego Union High.

• Solana Vista Elementary School, Public, K-3
• Del Mar Heights Elementary School, Public, K-6
• R. Roger Rowe Middle School, Public, 6-8
• Standley Middle School, Public, 6-8
• Torrey Pines High School, Public, 9-12