Del Mar's old-world charm attracted many a movie star during Hollywood's glamorous golden years. Now, its world-class dining, locally owned shops, family- and pet-friendly experiences, and stunning natural beauty continue to beckon visitors from near and far.
Along with the Del Mar Fairgrounds, home to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club's horse races and the San Diego County Fair, the historic and charming Del Mar Village offers a variety of unique shops, renowned restaurants and hotels, many with spectacular views of the Del Mar beaches below. Saturday's farmers market is also a great place to pick up the freshest and finest produce, flowers and seafood the region has to offer.
Although not technically within the city limits of Del Mar, this stunningly beautiful hotel property makes the short drive inland worthwhile. The Fairmont Grand Del Mar, one of the few AAA Five Diamond properties in San Diego, features 249 luxury rooms, a championship 18-hole golf course and a award-winning spa. It also proudly showcases Addison, the only restaurant in Southern California with a coveted Michelin rating of three stars.
> Find out more about the Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Located right across the street from the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the 257-room Hilton San Diego - Del Mar is especially popular during the Del Mar racing seasons and San Diego County Fair. This Del Mar Hotel is located right off the freeway, across from the Del Mar Racetrack and a quick drive from the beach.
> Find out more about the Hilton San Diego - Del Mar
Del Mar Beach Getaway is above and beyond the ordinary vacation rental. Relax in your exclusive, spacious, ocean view master suite, enjoy a private 4-acre park with clubhouse, pool, spa, tennis and kids playground, and fall asleep to the sound of the ocean waves. Your stay at the Del Mar Beach Getaway provides a truly unique SoCal experience.
> Find out more about the Del Mar Beach Getaway
The San Diego Marriott Del Mar Hotel is an ideal choice, whether you're traveling for business or pleasure or planning a meeting. The hotel provides guests with an array of diverse and exciting entertainment. Its unique on-site restaurant, Arterra, offers a trendy dining destination with award-winning cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Take an evening to unwind with some cocktails from the full bar or outdoor lounge and enjoy some of your favorites at the sushi bar.
> Find out more about the San Diego Marriott Del Mar
Situated within the tranquil Torrey Pines region, Hilton Garden Inn San Diego - Del Mar is close to the technology district of Sorrento Valley and just a stone's throw from the Pacific and downtown Del Mar. On-site restaurants include the contemporary American cuisine of Bistro 39 and classic sandwiches from NY Garden Deli and Cafe.
> Find out more about the Hilton Garden Inn San Diego - Del Mar
Situated in Torrey Hills, minutes from Del Mar's beaches, shops, restaurants, racetrack and fairgrounds, Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Del Mar provides a friendly and comfortable place to call home while visiting San Diego. Enjoy quick access to downtown Del Mar, North County beach towns and the scenic Coast Highway 101.
> Find out more about Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Del Mar
Where: 1660 Coast Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014
Jake's Del Mar is an unforgettable beachfront dining experience situated right on the sand. Jake's floor to ceiling windows provide sweeping views of the beach and ocean. The menu showcases clean, eclectic flavors and local, sustainable products. Jake's vibrant, friendly atmosphere has made it a local tradition and visitor destination in Del Mar for over 30 years.
> Find out more about Jake's Del Mar
Where: 5200 Grand Del Mar Way, San Diego, CA 92130
Located in the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Addison is San Diego's only AAA Five Diamond and Mobil Five Star rated restaurant. Two-Star Michelin Chef William Bradley combines fresh, local ingredients with classic French techniques, paired with an award-winning wine selection housed in a floor-to-ceiling custom glass-walled wine room nestled in the main dining room.
Where: 11966 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92130
Located in the San Diego Marriott Del Mar, Arterra features a new spin on classic dishes in a stylish and modern setting.
Where: 12841 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92130
Get ready for sunset views and delicious date nights under Sky Deck's signature rooftop skylight with nine curated culinary destinations with each having their own exclusive dining area, a central cocktail bar, and three of San Diego's top craft beer and kombucha brands rounding out the Brewers Deck.
Shopping is the thing to do in Del Mar! Filled with boutiques, classy designer shops and nestled between local restaurants and eats, Del Mar has many options for shopping and is a popular thing to do, especially in the cooler seasons.
Located between Ninth and 15th Streets, the town's inviting small-town atmosphere, featuring cozy cafés, local bakeries, and family-owned boutiques, evokes the charm of a European village. Whether you’re strolling through the charming streets, enjoying a leisurely meal in the Southern California sunshine, or simply taking in the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean, Del Mar captures the heart with its timeless elegance and welcoming spirit.
> Find out more about the Village of Del Mar
Located at the intersection of Del Mar Heights Road and El Camino Real in the heart of Carmel Valley, the two-level, open-air Del Mar Highlands Town Center boasts over 70 specialty shops, plus Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas and plenty of restaurant options at the Skydeck, interspersed with outdoor plazas dotted with comfortable seating, fountains and a fire pit.
> Find out more about the Del Mar Highlands Town Center
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Del Mar Plaza offers an upscale experience for those with impeccable tastes for fashion and food. Enjoy fine dining, perusing a variety of boutiques, or relaxing and enjoying the Plaza’s elegant atmosphere from one of its palazzo-style terraces, which offer spectacular views of the Pacific.
Del Mar, known for its beautiful beaches, is a great place to get out on the water to learn how to surf. Book a private 60-minute lesson at Rusty Del Mar, just a block away from the beach, and their skilled instructors will have you riding waves like a pro! Surfing is the known thing to do in San Diego and Del Mar is one of the best beaches to learn how.
The River Mouth, also known as Dog Beach, is a spacious and lively spot that's perfect for both you and your furry friend. With ample room for your pup to run and swim in the ocean, and volleyball courts for you to enjoy, it's an ideal destination for a fun and active day. If your pet wants to stay behind, you can head south to Powerhouse Park and soak in the sun on the lush green lawn or wide sandy beach.
The only Tom Fazio-designed course is San Diego is The Grand Golf Club at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. The par 71 course with over 7,000 yards of greens is nestled in Del Mar's meadows, hillsides and valleys. The course showcases Fazio's unique style of bunker use, with many deceptive bunkers hiding in the rolling hills. Golfing is a popular thing to do in Del Mar for golf enthusiasts.
> Find out more about The Grand Golf Club at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar
When visiting Del Mar, the popular thing to do is to visit the infamous and historic Highway 101. Drive down the coastline on Historic Highway 101 from laid-back Oceanside to luxurious La Jolla enjoying the diverse and vibrant coastal communities along the way that capture the true essence of a Southern California beach vacation.
> Find out more about Historic Highway 101
Rise above it all, floating up to 3,000 feet on a clear day, and drift through the clouds in a hot air balloon ride while sipping champagne and enjoying panoramic views. Due to favorable wind conditions and unique geography, Del Mar is among the few places in the world where a balloon can fly both at sunrise and sunset.
Spanning over 4,000 acres, Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve's natural beauty, rich natural resources and historical adobes make it a popular location for hiking and cycling. The protected preserve is also a great location for wildlife viewing, containing over 175 bird species, 500 plant varietals and rare reptiles, amphibians and mammals who reside within the canyon.
No need for birding binoculars when visiting the Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary. This unique exotic bird sanctuary that shelters, nurtures and re-socializes parrots, invites visitors to get up close and even interact with sever exotic birds all while inspiring a lasting concern for the well being of these beautiful creatures.
Del Mar is known both nationally and internationally for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and its premier horse racing track. Each year from late July through early September and in November, visitors from around the world gather at the seaside racetrack - founded and popularized by Hollywood legend Bing Crosby - to wager on their favorite horses. Going to the Del Mar Races is an experience and a popular thing to do while in Del Mar, San Diego!
> Find out more about the summer Del Mar Racing Season
> Find out more about the fall Del Mar Racing Season
> Experience the 2024 & 2025 Breeders' Cup World Championships
The Del Mar Fairgrounds, site of the Del Mar Racetrack, offers a program of ongoing attractions throughout the year, the highlight of which is the San Diego County Fair, occurring from mid-June through early July. The San Diego Fair is San Diego's oldest annual event and the sixth largest fair in the United States, drawing more than 1.4 million visitors annually. It features thrilling carnival rides, animals, woodworking and floral exhibits, a variety of concessions, top-line grandstand performers and an atmosphere that is uniquely Southern Californian.
> Find out more about San Diego County Fair
Welcome summer to Southern California with a beautiful sunset, delicious food, drinks and beachy good vibes. Experience the culinary delights of Del Mar Village with elevated tastes from more than 15 award-winning restaurants, accompanied by craft cocktails, wine and beer. Enjoy a beachside musical performance as you savor the flavors of this seaside community.
Marvel over 2,500 of the finest hot rods, customs, muscle cars, trucks and classics in the country, on display both indoor and outdoor, as they compete for the coveted Goodguys Performance Street Rod D'Elegance Award! This action-packed weekend also features hundreds of Vendor Exhibits, Goodguys Nitro Thunderfest Vintage Dragster Exhibition, a Burnout Competition, the PPG Lowrider Palace indoor display, an intense Goodguys AutoCross timed racing competition, Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral, FREE Kids Zone, Builder's Choice Award selections by Charlie Hutton and so much more!
> Find out more about the Goodguys Meguiar's Del Mar Nationals
Stroll Del Mar's festively decorated streets and enjoy culinary creations from award-winning Del Mar Village restaurants, sips from local beverage partners at “Sip Stops” inside downtown Del Mar businesses, live music and other holiday happenings, as part of the North Pole by the Sea day of family-friendly festivities!
There’s always something fun going on in Del Mar, thanks to the Del Mar Village Association. DMVA hosts a number of events throughout the year, including the North Pole by the Sea day of family-friendly holiday activities (plus free parking for shopping during the holiday season!) and many of the happenings listed above. The association also hosts a cheering station for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for breast cancer, and plenty of year-round programming.
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