By Carlos HunnefeldCan you imagine a sun-filled vacation getaway to a quiet, scenic town on the endless Pacific Ocean? This paradise has charming hotels and inns, unbelievable restaurants and absolutely gorgeous beaches. If this sounds good to you, know that those elements are all available in the lovely town of Del Mar, California.
Del Mar is Spanish for "by the sea" because it's located right on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Del Mar is said by some to be at once the most charming and the most romantic resort beach town anywhere in the world. Here in Del Mar you'll find clean beaches, world-class restaurants, marvelous hiking trails, romantic bed and breakfasts, exotic vacation options, delightful beaches, awesome jogging/hiking trails and a world famous horse racing track
Del Mar has been home to Hollywood celebrities starting in the 1940's. Bing Crosby and Jimmy Durante made the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club become one of the most famous and prestigious horse racing organizations in the entire world. Angie Dickenson and Burt Bacharach purchased residences in Del Mar. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez were regulars at the track and at Del Mar's restaurants. Brad Pitt recently purchased a home here in Del Mar - an $18 million dollar beachfront home - so now Brad sightings are the new talk of the 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 home to the endangered Torrey Pine, the rarest species of pine tree in the United States. Only two populations of this endangered species exist - one in Torrey Pines State Reserve the other in Del Mar proper.
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 "by the sea" because it's located right on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Del Mar is said by some to be at once the most charming and the most romantic resort beach town anywhere in the world. Here in Del Mar you'll find clean beaches, world-class restaurants, marvelous hiking trails, romantic bed and breakfasts, exotic vacation options, delightful beaches, awesome jogging/hiking trails and a world famous horse racing track
Del Mar has been home to Hollywood celebrities starting in the 1940's. Bing Crosby and Jimmy Durante made the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club become one of the most famous and prestigious horse racing organizations in the entire world. Angie Dickenson and Burt Bacharach purchased residences in Del Mar. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez were regulars at the track and at Del Mar's restaurants. Brad Pitt recently purchased a home here in Del Mar - an $18 million dollar beachfront home - so now Brad sightings are the new talk of the 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 home to the endangered Torrey Pine, the rarest species of pine tree in the United States. Only two populations of this endangered species exist - one in Torrey Pines State Reserve the other in Del Mar proper.
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:
Carlos Hunefeld has traveled to Del Mar often while on business and has discovered the finest Del Mar Bed and Breakfast just a five minute drive up along the coast: the Inn at Moonlight Beach, a 4-room boutique Inn across the street from Moonlight Beach. He also enjoys the San Diego Oceanfront Bed and Breakfast because he loves to take long walks on the beach at sunrise and sunset.
