The beach town of Del Mar California is one of the most beautiful destinations along the SoCal coast of the Pacific Ocean. Situated on the northern edge of the city of San Diego, Del Mar is a quaint historical village that serves as a backdrop to a seaside resort where Hollywood stars Bing Crosby and Jimmy Durante built a horse race track in the 1930s.
1. The Place To Be Is Epazote
Del Mar's downtown area has a definite European flavor. More than seventy unique shops, cute hotels and 23 restaurants offer enough variety to please everybody. The artsy "Italian" outdoor mall, Del Mar Plaza, is at the north end of town at the corner of Highway 101 and 15th Street, where you will find trendy shops and unique bistros among the ironwork and tiled fountains of an Italian piazza.
Del Mar Plaza is home of a favorite Del Mar restaurant, Epazote. Epazote is a wonderful place for lunch or end of the day cocktails because it has a sun-drenched outdoor patio with sea breezes and enchanting panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Epazote has something for all appetites with temptations ranging from premium cuts of what they call "Sterling Silver beef" to delicious seafood entrees followed by delicious desserts. The lively bar features an upscale menu - be sure to try their "Shaker Margaritas" - big enough for two. Sophisticated and chic, the 180-degree view of the ocean makes Epazote a great lunch, dinner or nighttime experience. As an added benefit, you can walk back to your hotel or Del Mar Bed and Breakfast after those margaritas.
2. Hike Through Abstract Red Rock Canyons
You can spend an entire day hiking up cliffs and down to the ocean, around and through ancient sculpted sandstone canyons at this San Diego treasure: Torrey Pines State Reserve. The reserve is enormous, nearly 1800 acres set aside to protect the rare and endangered Torrey Pine. You'll find multiple trails for hikers and joggers, each affording a different yet phenomenal view of an other-worldly landscape. Here you'll find wind bent trees, eerie sandstone formations and fields of wildflowers all framed by the Pacific Ocean below and beyond - it's a constantly changing landscape depending on the movement of sun and clouds. Bring a camera - every trail has an awesome views and different perspective of the Pacific Ocean.
3. Up, Up and Away
Soar through the sky in a hot air balloon as it becomes part of the wind and glides effortlessly above the hills and bed and breakfast inns - a calm, peaceful and relaxing way to panoramically take in the enormity of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego countryside. Hot air balloon companies offer daily sunrise and sunset tours from a site near the Del Mar fairgrounds and race track. You'll float eastward towards Rancho Santa Fe and the Cuyamaca Mountains and experience rare views of the San Diego coastline from San Clemente all the way to Mexico.
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 in Del Mar, 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. Get The Tan Of A Lifetime
For good reason, Del Mar is one of the most popular beach communities in San Diego County. With more than two miles of world-class beaches, the usually warm, calm water makes for near-perfect conditions for surfing, swimming, boogie boarding or just catching up on that beach novel. Del Mar also has two seaside parks - Seagrove and Powerhouse, both great for picnicking, playgrounds for the kids and stunning ocean views. Often referred to as "Malibu South," Del Mar beaches have gentle waves and warm water, making them the perfect beaches to learn to surf. Beachgoers can also find good, cheap lunches at Roberto's Mexican Restaurant on Carmel Valley Road just east of the Penasquitos Lagoon parking lot. Out-of-town visitors love the quiet, romantic Encinitas Bed & Breakfast near the ocean, Inn at Moonlight Beach.
5. Pedal Around Town
Go for a bike ride, a great way to stay fit, beat the traffic and see all the sights Del Mar has to offer. If you're staying at one of the many Del Mar 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. Del Mar Cycle Works (619) 793-9097 has a great selection of road and mountain bikes, helmets, lights, bike bags, bicycle parts, and bike repair services. With Del Mar's 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
Del Mar's downtown area has a definite European flavor. More than seventy unique shops, cute hotels and 23 restaurants offer enough variety to please everybody. The artsy "Italian" outdoor mall, Del Mar Plaza, is at the north end of town at the corner of Highway 101 and 15th Street, where you will find trendy shops and unique bistros among the ironwork and tiled fountains of an Italian piazza.
Del Mar Plaza is home of a favorite Del Mar restaurant, Epazote. Epazote is a wonderful place for lunch or end of the day cocktails because it has a sun-drenched outdoor patio with sea breezes and enchanting panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Epazote has something for all appetites with temptations ranging from premium cuts of what they call "Sterling Silver beef" to delicious seafood entrees followed by delicious desserts. The lively bar features an upscale menu - be sure to try their "Shaker Margaritas" - big enough for two. Sophisticated and chic, the 180-degree view of the ocean makes Epazote a great lunch, dinner or nighttime experience. As an added benefit, you can walk back to your hotel or Del Mar Bed and Breakfast after those margaritas.
2. Hike Through Abstract Red Rock Canyons
You can spend an entire day hiking up cliffs and down to the ocean, around and through ancient sculpted sandstone canyons at this San Diego treasure: Torrey Pines State Reserve. The reserve is enormous, nearly 1800 acres set aside to protect the rare and endangered Torrey Pine. You'll find multiple trails for hikers and joggers, each affording a different yet phenomenal view of an other-worldly landscape. Here you'll find wind bent trees, eerie sandstone formations and fields of wildflowers all framed by the Pacific Ocean below and beyond - it's a constantly changing landscape depending on the movement of sun and clouds. Bring a camera - every trail has an awesome views and different perspective of the Pacific Ocean.
3. Up, Up and Away
Soar through the sky in a hot air balloon as it becomes part of the wind and glides effortlessly above the hills and bed and breakfast inns - a calm, peaceful and relaxing way to panoramically take in the enormity of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego countryside. Hot air balloon companies offer daily sunrise and sunset tours from a site near the Del Mar fairgrounds and race track. You'll float eastward towards Rancho Santa Fe and the Cuyamaca Mountains and experience rare views of the San Diego coastline from San Clemente all the way to Mexico.
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 in Del Mar, 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. Get The Tan Of A Lifetime
For good reason, Del Mar is one of the most popular beach communities in San Diego County. With more than two miles of world-class beaches, the usually warm, calm water makes for near-perfect conditions for surfing, swimming, boogie boarding or just catching up on that beach novel. Del Mar also has two seaside parks - Seagrove and Powerhouse, both great for picnicking, playgrounds for the kids and stunning ocean views. Often referred to as "Malibu South," Del Mar beaches have gentle waves and warm water, making them the perfect beaches to learn to surf. Beachgoers can also find good, cheap lunches at Roberto's Mexican Restaurant on Carmel Valley Road just east of the Penasquitos Lagoon parking lot. Out-of-town visitors love the quiet, romantic Encinitas Bed & Breakfast near the ocean, Inn at Moonlight Beach.
5. Pedal Around Town
Go for a bike ride, a great way to stay fit, beat the traffic and see all the sights Del Mar has to offer. If you're staying at one of the many Del Mar 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. Del Mar Cycle Works (619) 793-9097 has a great selection of road and mountain bikes, helmets, lights, bike bags, bicycle parts, and bike repair services. With Del Mar's 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 all over the world. 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, Carlos recommends a wonderful Del Mar Bed and Breakfast or an exquisite Del Mar Beach Hotels.
