Del Mar

San Diego coastal town known for sandy beaches, ocean bluffs, and thoroughbred racing

Del Mar is a small, affluent beach community on the coast north of San Diego. The wide sandy beach draws sun-worshippers year-round, and in winter migrating California grey whales can be spotted from the bluffs.

Del Mar Plaza, perched above the ocean, has an eclectic collection of boutiques and restaurants with sea views. The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club hosts summer horse racing — "where the turf meets the surf" — and the annual San Diego County Fair is a major local event in June and July. Just south of town, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve protects the rarest native pine in the United States on dramatic coastal bluffs.

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Eating Out

Del Mar eats well for a small town, with a concentration of good restaurants along Camino del Mar and at Del Mar Plaza overlooking the ocean. Seafood is the obvious choice — the proximity to the Pacific ensures freshness. Prices reflect the affluent local clientele.

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Things to Do

Del Mar's pleasures are mostly outdoor: the beach, the bluffs, the coastal trails toward Torrey Pines, and the racetrack in summer. This is not a town with many indoor attractions — the draw is the setting, and the setting is genuinely beautiful.

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When to Go

Del Mar is good year-round, but the peak season runs from June through September when the beach is at its best and the racetrack is operating. July and August bring the heaviest crowds and highest accommodation prices.

The racing season (late July through early September) is the most festive time, but it makes the town significantly busier and pricier. Spring and early summer — May and June — offer comfortable weather, fewer people, and the occasional whale sighting from the bluffs. Winter is quiet but pleasant, with mild temperatures and uncrowded beaches.