Things You Must Do While In Del Mar California

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. Fantastic Shopping And Bistros

Del Mar’s downtown village was developed back in the 1800s. Here you will find upscale clothiers, chic jewelers, eclectic Asian and European importers plus more than 65 other shops, resorts, inns, bed and breakfasts and hotels. Hungry? In the downtown area alone you will find more than 20 unique restaurants of every stripe, many with drop-dead gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean as you dine.

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. Take A Hike Through Time

At the southern edge of Del Mar, 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. See The World From Way “Up There”

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.

Google the following companies to compare itineraries and rates: Panorama Balloon Tours, Skysurfrer Balloon Tours or Sky’s The Limit Balloon Adventures. On clear days you can see San Clemente and Santa Catalina Islands, 60 – 70 miles off shore. It doesn’t matter if you’re staying at a hotel in Del Mar or an Encinitas Bed and Breakfast, you’re just minutes away from experiencing a lifetime treat.

4. Life Is A Beach

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 Del Mar bed and breakfasts to the more traditional hotels in Del Mar.

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.

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