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. The Place To Be Is Epazote
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. Hike Through Abstract Red Rock Canyons
At the southern edge of town, along the Pacific Coast, Torrey Pines State Park is a 1700 acre natural habitat to the rare Torrey Pine. The park offers seven hiking trails with stunning views of wind bent trees, abstract sandstone formations, wildflower fields and the sea below, all of which is constantly changing as the sun and cloud formations move to change the lighting. Locals park just outside the park in the free parking lot along the ocean and Highway 101 and walk up the hill to the Nature Center. In spring and early summer the hillsides are covered with native plants and spectacular blooms of wildflowers. You can easily spend a whole day hiking up the cliffs and down to the ocean through red sandstone canyons carved thousands of years ago.
3. Come Sail Away In Your Beautiful Balloon
Every evening we see them from Encinitas - hot air balloons, specs in the distance, soaring through the sky just before sunset after taking off. We have been "up there" and can testify that a balloon ride is a one-of-a-kind experience. You can't help but gain a unique perspective of the immenseness of the Pacific Ocean and sweeping San Diego countryside. Our usual sunny skies and calm morning and evening winds allow you to experience what it's like to float among the clouds. Hot air balloon companies have sunrise and sunset tours - weather permitting.
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, 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
Located just north of Torrey Pines reserve, Del Mar Beach is a beach-lover's delight, a great spot for families, friends and surfers who enjoy its wide expanse of soft sand. Swimming, loafing, sunning, walking, jogging, surfing, body boarding, boogie boarding and even grunion hunting are just a few of the activities you will enjoy here. In town, the most popular beach is at the end of 15th Street. Crowded year-around with families, couples, friends and surfers, parking can be a problem at 15th Street, and even if you find a space, you must feed the meters. Parking is free on 17th Street if you get there early in the day - during the summer the parking spaces fill early. Lodging and accommodations can be found throughout the area, from cute and intimate bed and breakfasts to the more traditional hotels.
5. Pedal Around Town
Go for a bike ride, a great way to stay fit, beat the traffic and see all the sights we have to offer. If you're staying at one of the many Hotels or Bed and Breakfasts, there is no better way to get around town. You can ride down quiet residential streets along the ocean and see sights you'll never see from a car. the Cycle Works has a great selection of road and mountain bikes, helmets, lights, bike bags, bicycle parts, and bike repair services. With our almost-too-good-to-be-true year-around weather, bicycling is a way of life with dozens of paths and bike trails so you can relax, exercise and explore.
1. The Place To Be Is Epazote
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. Hike Through Abstract Red Rock Canyons
At the southern edge of town, along the Pacific Coast, Torrey Pines State Park is a 1700 acre natural habitat to the rare Torrey Pine. The park offers seven hiking trails with stunning views of wind bent trees, abstract sandstone formations, wildflower fields and the sea below, all of which is constantly changing as the sun and cloud formations move to change the lighting. Locals park just outside the park in the free parking lot along the ocean and Highway 101 and walk up the hill to the Nature Center. In spring and early summer the hillsides are covered with native plants and spectacular blooms of wildflowers. You can easily spend a whole day hiking up the cliffs and down to the ocean through red sandstone canyons carved thousands of years ago.
3. Come Sail Away In Your Beautiful Balloon
Every evening we see them from Encinitas - hot air balloons, specs in the distance, soaring through the sky just before sunset after taking off. We have been "up there" and can testify that a balloon ride is a one-of-a-kind experience. You can't help but gain a unique perspective of the immenseness of the Pacific Ocean and sweeping San Diego countryside. Our usual sunny skies and calm morning and evening winds allow you to experience what it's like to float among the clouds. Hot air balloon companies have sunrise and sunset tours - weather permitting.
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, 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
Located just north of Torrey Pines reserve, Del Mar Beach is a beach-lover's delight, a great spot for families, friends and surfers who enjoy its wide expanse of soft sand. Swimming, loafing, sunning, walking, jogging, surfing, body boarding, boogie boarding and even grunion hunting are just a few of the activities you will enjoy here. In town, the most popular beach is at the end of 15th Street. Crowded year-around with families, couples, friends and surfers, parking can be a problem at 15th Street, and even if you find a space, you must feed the meters. Parking is free on 17th Street if you get there early in the day - during the summer the parking spaces fill early. Lodging and accommodations can be found throughout the area, from cute and intimate bed and breakfasts to the more traditional hotels.
5. Pedal Around Town
Go for a bike ride, a great way to stay fit, beat the traffic and see all the sights we have to offer. If you're staying at one of the many Hotels or Bed and Breakfasts, there is no better way to get around town. You can ride down quiet residential streets along the ocean and see sights you'll never see from a car. the Cycle Works has a great selection of road and mountain bikes, helmets, lights, bike bags, bicycle parts, and bike repair services. With our almost-too-good-to-be-true year-around weather, bicycling is a way of life with dozens of paths and bike trails so you can relax, exercise and explore.
About the Author:
Carlos von Hunnefeld can be found in the most lovely cities anywhere on earth. 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, he will point people to the beach: Del Mar Bed and Breakfast or an exquisite Del Mar Beach Hotels.
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