Imagine a romantic vacation getaway to a quiet, relaxing and scenic village on the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This getaway has charming hotels and Inns, phenomenal restaurants and miles of gorgeous beaches. It's just those elements that make up the gem that is called Del Mar, California.
Del Mar is Spanish for "of the sea" or "by the sea", because it is located near the Pacific Ocean and is one of the most beautiful and romantic resort beach towns in the world. It's here you find world-class restaurants, romantic bed and breakfasts, exotic hiking trails, delightful beaches and a world famous horse racing track
Del Mar has been home to celebrities ever since the 1940's: Bing Crosby and his friend Jimmy Durante worked together to help turn the Del Mar Race Track into the most beautiful and prestigious race tracks in the horse racing world. One could often find Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez at the track. Other celebrities wanted to be closer, so Burt Bacharach and Angie Dickenson purchased residences in Del Mar. Brad Pitt recently purchased a beachfront home in Del Mar for (eighteen million dollars!) - and now Brad Pitt sightings have become the new sport in town.
Del Mar isn't very large, just two square miles along the Northern San Diego County coast between Solana Beach on the north and Torrey Pines State Reserve on the south. Del Mar has a population of 4000 to 5000 Del-Marians (depending on who is counting) who live among the beautiful sandstone canyons interspersed with hillsides or perched on bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, all of them enjoying beautiful sunsets.
Del Mar is the only location in the world where the Torrey Pine tree grows. The Torrey Pine is the rarest pine tree in the United States. It's highly endangered and protected. There are two populations of native Torrey Pines, one at the Torrey Pines State Reserve and the other in the City of Del Mar.
Each summer Del Mar plays host to the San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The fair originally opened in 1936, the site selected because it was the perfect spot just off the main highways - while still being near the ocean's cooling breezes on hot summer days. Selection of a fair queen - Fairest of the Fair - is still a fail highlight each summer.
Bing Crosby took a leading role in helping make the now-world-famous Del Mar Race Track a reality. On July 3, 1937, the Del Mar Race Track opened. Newspapers called the track "Bing's Baby". In 1938 Bing recorded a song that would open and close every day of racing since those early days - Where The Turf Meets the Surf.
Del Mar is Spanish for "of the sea" or "by the sea", because it is located near the Pacific Ocean and is one of the most beautiful and romantic resort beach towns in the world. It's here you find world-class restaurants, romantic bed and breakfasts, exotic hiking trails, delightful beaches and a world famous horse racing track
Del Mar has been home to celebrities ever since the 1940's: Bing Crosby and his friend Jimmy Durante worked together to help turn the Del Mar Race Track into the most beautiful and prestigious race tracks in the horse racing world. One could often find Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez at the track. Other celebrities wanted to be closer, so Burt Bacharach and Angie Dickenson purchased residences in Del Mar. Brad Pitt recently purchased a beachfront home in Del Mar for (eighteen million dollars!) - and now Brad Pitt sightings have become the new sport in town.
Del Mar isn't very large, just two square miles along the Northern San Diego County coast between Solana Beach on the north and Torrey Pines State Reserve on the south. Del Mar has a population of 4000 to 5000 Del-Marians (depending on who is counting) who live among the beautiful sandstone canyons interspersed with hillsides or perched on bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, all of them enjoying beautiful sunsets.
Del Mar is the only location in the world where the Torrey Pine tree grows. The Torrey Pine is the rarest pine tree in the United States. It's highly endangered and protected. There are two populations of native Torrey Pines, one at the Torrey Pines State Reserve and the other in the City of Del Mar.
Each summer Del Mar plays host to the San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The fair originally opened in 1936, the site selected because it was the perfect spot just off the main highways - while still being near the ocean's cooling breezes on hot summer days. Selection of a fair queen - Fairest of the Fair - is still a fail highlight each summer.
Bing Crosby took a leading role in helping make the now-world-famous Del Mar Race Track a reality. On July 3, 1937, the Del Mar Race Track opened. Newspapers called the track "Bing's Baby". In 1938 Bing recorded a song that would open and close every day of racing since those early days - Where The Turf Meets the Surf.
About the Author:
Terry Hunefeld retired as a corporate CEO in 2007 to spend more time outdoors. He now volunteers his time on the board of directors of a local Audubon Society and serves as a leader on charter voyages to sea to observe and census seabirds and marine mammals. To learn more, click San Diego B&Bs or Encinitas Beach Hotels.
