Del Mar, California
Del Mar’s got range: you can watch thoroughbreds thunder down the same track Seabiscuit once ran, then grab fish tacos and catch sunset at a beach that hasn’t really changed since the 1930s. That’s the trick to this place – it’s held onto its history while the rest of SoCal reinvented itself.
Movie stars used to hide out here
Del Mar became the go-to escape for Hollywood celebrities back in the 1930s and 1940s. At just 1.8 square miles, this tiny coastal village gave stars a peaceful place away from fans.
As you walk through Del Mar Village today, you’ll still notice the European-style charm in the old buildings that made famous people feel at home in this relaxed beach town.
You can feed birds right from your hand at this sanctuary
At Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary, you’ll get to interact with rescued exotic birds that fly freely around you. Each bird has its own personality, making your visit special.
The sanctuary helps rehabilitate birds and find them new homes after they’re properly socialized. Make sure to book ahead on their website since they limit daily visitors to keep the experience nice for everyone.
Horse racing’s biggest event comes here in 2025
Del Mar Racetrack has been around since 1937 when Bing Crosby himself greeted the first visitors at the gate. As America’s second-largest horse racing venue, it’s hosting the prestigious Breeders’ Cup in November 2025.
You can place bets starting at just $2, so it’s great even if you’re new to racing. During race season, you can also enjoy weekend concerts and sip special “Del Margaritas” while watching the horses.
Dogs can run without leashes on this beach
At North Beach (locals call it Dog Beach), your dog can play freely without a leash along the shoreline. This 2-mile stretch at the north end of Del Mar lets dogs run loose from dawn until 8:00 AM and again from 6:00 PM until sunset.
In winter (September through May), dogs can be off-leash all day long. There are even special stations to wash sandy paws at the main entrances.
You’ll find the world’s rarest pine trees just minutes away
Torrey Pines grow naturally in only two places on Earth, and one is right next to Del Mar at the 1,750-acre Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. These special trees are 15,000 years old, with fewer than 10,000 left in the wild.
You can walk 8 miles of trails that lead to amazing ocean views. For the best experience with minimal climbing, take the Guy Fleming Trail’s 0.7-mile loop.
Beginners can learn to surf in special calm-water zones
Del Mar’s beaches have specific areas just for new surfers where the waves are gentler. You can take year-round lessons at 17th Street Beach through Del Mar Surf School.
Water gets as cold as 57°F in winter and warms up to 72°F in summer. If you’re ready to practice on your own, Rusty Del Mar surf shop rents everything you need—boards, wetsuits, and boogie boards.
The town’s first brewery lets you drink beer while watching wildlife
Viewpoint Brewing opened in 2017 as Del Mar’s very first brewery. This 7,000-square-foot place sits right beside San Dieguito Lagoon. You can try any of their 20 rotating beers—from regular IPAs to unusual ones like Bohemian Raspberry Coffee Tart Wheat Ale.
Sit on the patio to watch birds migrate across the protected wetlands while enjoying food that’s specially paired with certain beers.
Local surfers gather every weekend
The red and white 17th Street Lifeguard Tower is where Del Mar’s beach community comes together. Body surfers meet here at 9:00 AM every Saturday and Sunday before hitting the waves.
During summer, you can watch weekly beach volleyball tournaments on the courts right next to it. Morning joggers use the tower to mark the halfway point of their beach runs.
Kids can play on a nature-themed adventure playground
At San Dieguito County Park’s Activity Hill, your children can climb ladders, cross suspension bridges, and follow nature-themed scavenger hunts. This big 125-acre park has five different playgrounds designed for kids of various ages.
While parking costs $3, getting into the park is free. You don’t need reservations to use the basketball court or baseball field.
You can try crazy new foods at the summer fair
The San Diego County Fair runs at Del Mar Fairgrounds from mid-June through July 4th, 2025, bringing in over 1.4 million people each year. It’s famous for inventing wild food combinations—they created deep-fried Kool-Aid in 2011, which became popular nationwide.
Each year brings new food experiments, like 2024’s chocolate-covered bacon-wrapped pickles. This is the sixth-largest fair in America and San Diego’s oldest yearly event.
Hotels will carry your beach gear right to the sand
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, several beachfront hotels in Del Mar offer a Beach Valet service. They’ll take your chairs, umbrellas, coolers, and towels directly to your spot on the beach.
If you stay at L’Auberge Del Mar, this service comes free, and they’ll have everything set up before you even get to the sand. Some places even include picnic baskets and beach games as part of the deal.
This special seat gives you the best sunset views in town
Del Mar’s Sunset Seat is positioned perfectly for watching the sun go down over the ocean. The bench is made from a fallen Torrey Pine tree and features a carving of a red-tailed hawk, which represents the official bird of the nearby reserve.
It faces exactly 273 degrees west to capture perfect sunsets year-round. You’ll often find photographers gathering here about 30 minutes before sunset.
Local fishermen bring their morning catch to this market
Every Saturday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, you can visit the Del Mar Farmers Market at the Civic Center. Fishermen sell fish they caught that morning, including types you can only find in San Diego waters.
The market has 15 certified organic produce vendors who don’t use any pesticides. You can also find handmade arts and crafts you won’t see in regular stores and try international food made by local chefs.
The post Dogs Have Their Own Special Beach in This Affluent California Town with a Thoroughbred Racetrack appeared first on When In Your State.