Del Mar California is a dream town - an upscale ocean-side community just north of San Diego. Within the Del Mar city limits, a quaint historical village serves as a backdrop to a small seaside resort first made famous in the 1930's when Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante and other race horse lovers from Hollywood built the horse race track at the fairgrounds.
1. Where To Shop & Dine
Del Mar's downtown village was developed back in the 1800s. Here you will find upscale clothiers, chic jewelers, eclectic Asian and European importers plus more than 65 other shops, resorts, inns, bed and breakfasts and hotels. Hungry? In the downtown area alone you will find more than 20 unique restaurants of every stripe, many with drop-dead gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean as you dine.
Del Mar Plaza is home of a favorite Del Mar restaurant, Epazote. Epazote is a wonderful place for lunch or end of the day cocktails because it has a sun-drenched outdoor patio with sea breezes and enchanting panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Epazote has something for all appetites with temptations ranging from premium cuts of what they call "Sterling Silver beef" to delicious seafood entrees followed by delicious desserts. The lively bar features an upscale menu - be sure to try their "Shaker Margaritas" - big enough for two. Sophisticated and chic, the 180-degree view of the ocean makes Epazote a great lunch, dinner or nighttime experience. As an added benefit, you can walk back to your hotel or Del Mar Bed and Breakfast after those margaritas.
2. Take A Hike Through Time
If you enjoy a nature hike with phenomenal scenery, Torrey Pines State Reserve is for you, with nearly 2000 acres of natural habitat along the ocean. The reserve was created because this is where the rare and beautiful Torrey Pine tree grows. You will find 6 or 7 trails for hiking, each with it's own brand of awesome views: wind bent Torrey pines, abstract rock formations and lush wildflower displays, all framed by the magnificent Pacific Ocean. Parking Tip: You can park outside the park along the ocean and Highway 101 for free, then walk up the drive into the reserve for a great workout with magnificent views. Take your camera - especially in the spring when fields of wild flowers are in bloom and everywhere you look are fantastic views of the ocean.
3. Up, Up and Away
Thought by many to be one of the best balloon rides in the world, a sunset flight from Del Mar is an extraordinary way to see Southern California. A coastal Del Mar Sunset flight is an unforgettable experience - up there the air is clear, the sun seem to shine brighter and a sense of relaxation overcomes you. You can soar through the sky and glide effortlessly above the hills and valleys - a calm, peaceful and relaxing way to panoramically take in the enormity of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego countryside.
Many describe flying in a hot air balloon as one of the most serene, enjoyable activities they've ever experienced. Sunny skies and heavenly sunsets allow you to experience what it's like to float among the clouds. If you're staying at a hotel in Del Mar, you can experience the views of a lifetime with Skysurfrer Balloon Tours, Magical Adventures or Sky's The Limit Balloon Adventures. Google or Bing! them for more information.
4. World-Class Beaches
Del Mar beaches are very popular because the waves are usually gentle and it's a great place to learn to surf. With more than two miles of sandy beaches and excellent conditions for swimming, body surfing, board surfing, boogie boarding, or just lounging in the sun, Del Mar beaches are a vacationer's delight. A nearby bed and breakfast in Encinitas is located only a block from Moonlight Beach, and is appropriately named the Inn at Moonlight Beach. On some beaches, residents are allowed to bring their dogs and spectators enjoy great games of dog/human Frisbee. No matter what beach you're on, you'll see hundreds of people spending the whole day under the sun with friends and family. The best and most popular beach is at the end of 15th Street - crowded year around with families, couples, friends and surfers. A good selection of Del Mar hotels and inns can be found near the beaches.
5. Pedal Around Town
Historic Coast Highway 101 runs through the center of downtown Del Mar and is one of San Diego County's best cycling routes. Distance bikers start their rides in Del Mar and head either south to Torrey Pines Reserve or north to Solana Beach, Encinitas and Carlsbad. For less intense riders, bicycling is one of the simplest ways to have fun, enjoy the wonderful Del Mar scenery and stay fit and in-shape, especially if you're enjoying the breakfasts at one of the Del Mar Bed and Breakfasts, inns or hotels in town. With great biking weather all year, you can ride up and down quiet residential streets and along the ocean until you're ready for lunch - Epazote anyone?
1. Where To Shop & Dine
Del Mar's downtown village was developed back in the 1800s. Here you will find upscale clothiers, chic jewelers, eclectic Asian and European importers plus more than 65 other shops, resorts, inns, bed and breakfasts and hotels. Hungry? In the downtown area alone you will find more than 20 unique restaurants of every stripe, many with drop-dead gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean as you dine.
Del Mar Plaza is home of a favorite Del Mar restaurant, Epazote. Epazote is a wonderful place for lunch or end of the day cocktails because it has a sun-drenched outdoor patio with sea breezes and enchanting panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Epazote has something for all appetites with temptations ranging from premium cuts of what they call "Sterling Silver beef" to delicious seafood entrees followed by delicious desserts. The lively bar features an upscale menu - be sure to try their "Shaker Margaritas" - big enough for two. Sophisticated and chic, the 180-degree view of the ocean makes Epazote a great lunch, dinner or nighttime experience. As an added benefit, you can walk back to your hotel or Del Mar Bed and Breakfast after those margaritas.
2. Take A Hike Through Time
If you enjoy a nature hike with phenomenal scenery, Torrey Pines State Reserve is for you, with nearly 2000 acres of natural habitat along the ocean. The reserve was created because this is where the rare and beautiful Torrey Pine tree grows. You will find 6 or 7 trails for hiking, each with it's own brand of awesome views: wind bent Torrey pines, abstract rock formations and lush wildflower displays, all framed by the magnificent Pacific Ocean. Parking Tip: You can park outside the park along the ocean and Highway 101 for free, then walk up the drive into the reserve for a great workout with magnificent views. Take your camera - especially in the spring when fields of wild flowers are in bloom and everywhere you look are fantastic views of the ocean.
3. Up, Up and Away
Thought by many to be one of the best balloon rides in the world, a sunset flight from Del Mar is an extraordinary way to see Southern California. A coastal Del Mar Sunset flight is an unforgettable experience - up there the air is clear, the sun seem to shine brighter and a sense of relaxation overcomes you. You can soar through the sky and glide effortlessly above the hills and valleys - a calm, peaceful and relaxing way to panoramically take in the enormity of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego countryside.
Many describe flying in a hot air balloon as one of the most serene, enjoyable activities they've ever experienced. Sunny skies and heavenly sunsets allow you to experience what it's like to float among the clouds. If you're staying at a hotel in Del Mar, you can experience the views of a lifetime with Skysurfrer Balloon Tours, Magical Adventures or Sky's The Limit Balloon Adventures. Google or Bing! them for more information.
4. World-Class Beaches
Del Mar beaches are very popular because the waves are usually gentle and it's a great place to learn to surf. With more than two miles of sandy beaches and excellent conditions for swimming, body surfing, board surfing, boogie boarding, or just lounging in the sun, Del Mar beaches are a vacationer's delight. A nearby bed and breakfast in Encinitas is located only a block from Moonlight Beach, and is appropriately named the Inn at Moonlight Beach. On some beaches, residents are allowed to bring their dogs and spectators enjoy great games of dog/human Frisbee. No matter what beach you're on, you'll see hundreds of people spending the whole day under the sun with friends and family. The best and most popular beach is at the end of 15th Street - crowded year around with families, couples, friends and surfers. A good selection of Del Mar hotels and inns can be found near the beaches.
5. Pedal Around Town
Historic Coast Highway 101 runs through the center of downtown Del Mar and is one of San Diego County's best cycling routes. Distance bikers start their rides in Del Mar and head either south to Torrey Pines Reserve or north to Solana Beach, Encinitas and Carlsbad. For less intense riders, bicycling is one of the simplest ways to have fun, enjoy the wonderful Del Mar scenery and stay fit and in-shape, especially if you're enjoying the breakfasts at one of the Del Mar Bed and Breakfasts, inns or hotels in town. With great biking weather all year, you can ride up and down quiet residential streets and along the ocean until you're ready for lunch - Epazote anyone?
About the Author:
Several years ago Terry Hunefeld retired as a CEO from By Referral Only, Inc follow his bliss of pelagic birding - the art of going to sea to observe seabirds. He and his wife Ann own the Inn at Moonlight Beach near the sea in the San Diego area. For more info, click Bed and Breakfasts in Del Mar or Del Mar B&Bs.
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