THINGS TO DO IN DEL MAR
Del Mar, meaning “of the Sea,” is a wealthy beach town in San Diego. It's famous for The Del Mar Horse Races and its gorgeous sandstone canyons. Despite its relatively small size --- it's only 1.77 square miles --- it's jam-packed with activities for the entire family.
Picturesque Del Mar Parks and Beaches
This town has three beaches to choose from: Torrey Pines State Beach, Del Mar City Beach, and Del Mar North Beach, a dog-friendly option. All of these have restrooms, and Torrey Pines has showers for your convenience. Visitors can enjoy swimming, surfing, picnics, walking trails, fishing, and sunbathing.
Powerhouse Park is a fun place to take the children, with a play structure and swings they can enjoy. Seagrove Park is a more private option. While it's open to the public, people mainly use it for booking special events. It’s on a cliff that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and offers an intimate location to host your next event.
Top Places to Grab a Bite in Del Mar
Del Mar's proximity to the ocean makes it a seafood haven, but that's not all you'll find here. There are a variety of restaurants serving all kinds of cuisines. Some of the most popular places for dining in this coastal beach town include Zel’s Del Mar, Poseidon Restaurant, Brigantine, Jake’s Del Mar, Adelaide, and Beeside Balcony.
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is one of the world's most famous horse racing establishments. Its website has a calendar, making it easy to look for upcoming events to attend. Gates open at 11 a.m., and the first post is at 12:30 p.m. Events are usually Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, but there might be events held on other days. There are many ticket options available, and there are special packages for dining and drinking.
Shopping in Del Mar
Del Mar is a hot spot for shopping and offers a wide selection of stores to check out. One of the most popular spots here is the open-air Del Mar Plaza, home to several shops and restaurants, so you can dine between splurging. Del Mar Village is another hot spot for prime boutiques that take you off the beaten path, such as Carolyn’s Designer Resale and Frustrated Cowboy. It's also home to the Del Mar Farmers Market.
Miscellaneous Things to Do
If you’re looking for other things to do in Del Mar, you can visit the Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary, where you get the chance to see exotic birds up close and interact with them. You can also play miniature golf at Pelly’s Mini Golf at the two courses, Ocean Adventure and Surfin’ Safari. If you’re skilled on the board, you can head to either 11th or 15th Street, where swells are between 220 and 280 degrees, making it a prime spot for surfers.
