Del Mar is the quintessential dream beach town - a quaint, yet chic Southern California community overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Like La Jolla and San Diego, an aura of paradise comes in a large result from its world-class beaches and persistently clear blue skies. Add to all that a unique fairgrounds, horse track and a quaint, upscale "downtown" village, and you have activities for everyone.
1. Fantastic Shopping And Bistros
The historic downtown village dates back to the 1880's and offers over sixty unique shops, quaint inns and hotels and twenty five restaurants with enough variety to please even the pickiest of shoppers and eaters. A great place to begin or conclude your shopping and dining tour of Del Mar proper is at the impressive Plaza at the corner of Camino del Mar (old Highway 101) and 15th Street.
One of our favorites for outdoor "ocean-view" dining is Epazote, a great place for lunch. It's sunshine-splashed outdoor patio swells with sea breezes and sweeping panoramic views of the ocean. Epazote is also one of Del Mar's popular night spots featuring a fun but noisy bar with an upscale and sophisticated feel. You can have a few margaritas and walk back to your bed and breakfast or hotel. The fare at Epazote is creative, tasty and unique.
2. Take A Hike Through Time
You can spend an entire day hiking up cliffs and down to the ocean, around and through ancient sculpted sandstone canyons at this San Diego treasure: Torrey Pines State Reserve. The reserve is enormous, nearly 1800 acres set aside to protect the rare and endangered Torrey Pine. You'll find multiple trails for hikers and joggers, each affording a different yet phenomenal view of an other-worldly landscape. Here you'll find wind bent trees, eerie sandstone formations and fields of wildflowers all framed by the Pacific Ocean below and beyond - it's a constantly changing landscape depending on the movement of sun and clouds. Bring a camera - every trail has an awesome views and different perspective of the Pacific Ocean.
3. Come Sail Away In Your Beautiful Balloon
Thought by many to be one of the best balloon rides in the world, a sunset flight is an extraordinary way to see Southern California. A coastal 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 every experienced. Sunny skies and a heavenly sunset 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 and flights of a lifetime with Panorama Balloon Tours, Skysurfrer Balloon Tours or Magical Adventures.
4. Life Is A Beach
The 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 and body surfing or just lounging in the sun. The 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 hotels and inns can be found near the beaches.
5. Pedal Around Town
Bike riding is one of the simplest ways to have fun, enjoy the wonderful Del Mar scenery, especially if you're staying at a B&B or other vacation lodging. With near-perfect weather all year, enjoying the great outdoors is a way of life for most Del Martians who enjoy riding down quiet residential streets along the ocean. Del Mar is full of paths and trails that give cyclists an opportunity to relax, exercise and explore. Any way you cut it, Del Mar is a great place to have fun, get fit, and relax!
1. Fantastic Shopping And Bistros
The historic downtown village dates back to the 1880's and offers over sixty unique shops, quaint inns and hotels and twenty five restaurants with enough variety to please even the pickiest of shoppers and eaters. A great place to begin or conclude your shopping and dining tour of Del Mar proper is at the impressive Plaza at the corner of Camino del Mar (old Highway 101) and 15th Street.
One of our favorites for outdoor "ocean-view" dining is Epazote, a great place for lunch. It's sunshine-splashed outdoor patio swells with sea breezes and sweeping panoramic views of the ocean. Epazote is also one of Del Mar's popular night spots featuring a fun but noisy bar with an upscale and sophisticated feel. You can have a few margaritas and walk back to your bed and breakfast or hotel. The fare at Epazote is creative, tasty and unique.
2. Take A Hike Through Time
You can spend an entire day hiking up cliffs and down to the ocean, around and through ancient sculpted sandstone canyons at this San Diego treasure: Torrey Pines State Reserve. The reserve is enormous, nearly 1800 acres set aside to protect the rare and endangered Torrey Pine. You'll find multiple trails for hikers and joggers, each affording a different yet phenomenal view of an other-worldly landscape. Here you'll find wind bent trees, eerie sandstone formations and fields of wildflowers all framed by the Pacific Ocean below and beyond - it's a constantly changing landscape depending on the movement of sun and clouds. Bring a camera - every trail has an awesome views and different perspective of the Pacific Ocean.
3. Come Sail Away In Your Beautiful Balloon
Thought by many to be one of the best balloon rides in the world, a sunset flight is an extraordinary way to see Southern California. A coastal 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 every experienced. Sunny skies and a heavenly sunset 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 and flights of a lifetime with Panorama Balloon Tours, Skysurfrer Balloon Tours or Magical Adventures.
4. Life Is A Beach
The 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 and body surfing or just lounging in the sun. The 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 hotels and inns can be found near the beaches.
5. Pedal Around Town
Bike riding is one of the simplest ways to have fun, enjoy the wonderful Del Mar scenery, especially if you're staying at a B&B or other vacation lodging. With near-perfect weather all year, enjoying the great outdoors is a way of life for most Del Martians who enjoy riding down quiet residential streets along the ocean. Del Mar is full of paths and trails that give cyclists an opportunity to relax, exercise and explore. Any way you cut it, Del Mar is a great place to have fun, get fit, and relax!
About the Author:
Carlos von Hunnefeld can be found in the most lovely cities all over the world. He travels for a San Diego California design firm and can often be found on the road up to sixty days each year. If asked about where to stay in Del Mar, Carlos recommends a wonderful Del Mar Bed and Breakfast or an exquisite Encinitas Beach Hotels.
