Del Mar lifestyle

Del Mar earned the nickname, "where the turf meets the surf" because of the popular Del Mar thoroughbred racetrack. That event and the annual San Diego County Fair draw millions of visitors from all over California and the nation. And, while becoming second home for the rich and famous from all over the world, Del Mar has managed to keep it's unique small town atmosphere.
 
Del Mar is just a few miles from the highly acclaimed University of California at San Diego (UCSD) and famous bio-medical facilities such as Scripps Clinic and The Salk Institute. Numerous scientists, doctors, and college professors from these prestigious facilities call Del Mar home.
 
Residents of Del Mar enjoy a casual and relaxed, yet elegant lifestyle. They value their privacy and strongly support the low-growth policy that has preserved their charming city and kept Del Mar real estate in such high demand.
 
You'll find great restaurants, exciting specialty shops and personal services lining Camino Del Mar, the main street in Del Mar. Visitors love to spend the afternoon at the elegant, European-style Del Mar Plaza, with its grand ocean-view patio and upscale shopping and dining. Epazotes has the best Margaritas in town; Pacifica Del Mar is a popular singles' meeting place; Il Fornaio is always packed with lovers of the finest Italian food.
 
Across the street, L'Auberge Hotel presents romantic dining and luxury resort accommodations with sweeping ocean views. The weekly farmers market on Saturdays is a fun gathering place that offers fresh produce and flowers to locals and tourists, alike.
 
The whole Del Mar community is especially proud of the city library, the wide sandy beaches and the fine city parks that overlook the Pacific Ocean. Residents enjoy some of the best hiking in San Diego County at nearby Torrey Pines State Reserve Park and Beach.
 

Del Mar neighborhoods

Del Mar real estate is very desirable and expensive and its been a great investment over the years. Most Del Mar homes were built between 1950 and 1980 and only a few new homes are constructed each year.
 
It's much more common to see existing homes undergo major remodeling, often saving only a wall or two. There's no question that the value of Del Mar real estate is in the land and it's not unusual to see entire structures razed and a new modern home constructed on the site.
 
There are a few condominium communities in Del Mar, mostly in the beach area. Many are enjoyed as second homes on the weekends by those fortunate enough to escape to the comfortable Del Mar resort lifestyle.
 

Del Mar schools

Del Mar residents appreciate some of the best schools in the state. Del Mar has its own elementary school district, the Del Mar Union School District, while middle and high school students attend the outstanding schools in the San Dieguito Union High School District. The Carmel Valley Middle School is highly desirable and Torrey Pines High School is consistently ranked as one of San Diego County's best. The new Canyon Crest Academy offers a popular alternative high school education.

Del Mar is a small, exclusive coastal town situated just west of I-5 and Carmel Valley. It's nestled between La Jolla and the Los Peñasquitos Marsh Natural Preserve on the south and Solana Beach and the San Dieguito River Valley on the north. Del Mar is blessed with breathtaking views of these natural lagoons, the Pacific Ocean and Torrey Pines State Preserve Park. The Del Mar Zip Code is 92014.   Del Mar history Del Mar was once part of the 8,800-acre San Dieguito Ranch that was granted to Juan Maria Osuna in 1841 by Mexican Governor Pio Pico. The railroad brought influential families to the area including land investor William Weed, whose wife gave Del Mar its name in 1885. The same year Jacob Taylor purchased 338 acres and starting building a resort town and the first Hotel - Casa del Mar. It burned to the ground five years later. The town languished until 1905, when a new Tudor design hotel was built at the Coast Highway and 15th Street.   In 1933 the 22nd Agricultural District made plans for a fairgrounds to be located in Del Mar and the first county fair was held in October 1936. The fine climate and privacy drew film stars to the area, including Bing Crosby, who was a horse racing enthusiast. He was instrumental in the development of the now famous Del Mar Racetrack, which opened on July 3 1937.

Quick facts on Del Mar and Del Mar real estate

Total Housing Units:  2,128 Units Sold Last 6 Months:  73 Average Market Time:  103 days SFD Price Range:  $715,000 to $6,000,000 SFD Average Price:  $1,841,518 SFD Median Price:  $1,475,000 Condo Price Range:  $289,000 to $2,900,000 Condo Average Price:  $993,710 Condo Median Price:  $950,000

Population:  4,524 Area:  2 sq. mi. Median Age:  46.6 years Median Family Income:  $108,365   Del Mar City Hall:  858-755-9313 Del Mar Regional C of C:  858-755-4844 Del Mar Union School District:  858-755-9301 San Dieguito Union HS District:  760-753-6491

From November 28th through December 24th 2008 spend $75 or more in any of the downtown Del Mar stores and receive a $15 Dining Voucher redeemable at the following Del Mar Village restaurants:

Americana Café (only valid for dinner)
Café Del Mar
Del Mar Brigantine
En Fuego Cantina & Grill
Epazote Oceanview Steakhouse
Giorgio's Osteria Del Pescatore
Jimmy O's Sports Bar and Restaurant
Kitchen 1540/L'Auberge
Pacifica Breeze Café
Pacifica Del Mar
Poseidon
Sbicca An American Bistro

 CLICK HERE for a full listing of downtown Del Mar Village stores

To obtain the $15 dining voucher bring receipts totaling $75 or more to Willis Allen Real Estate, 1424 Camino Del Mar or to Soul Shine Boutique, 1217 Camino Del Mar by December 24th

Dining vouchers expire March 31, 2009

Some Restrictions will apply

The City of Del Mar and Del Mar Village Association has teamed up to encourage downtown Del Mar holiday shopping and dining. 
Just in time for the holidays, the City of Del Mar is offering 5 FREE DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY PARKING DAYS. The FREE ALL-DAY HOLIDAY  PARKING PROGRAM for the downtown Village includes 15th Street, the parking under L'Auberge Del Mar and extends from 15th Street to 4th Street along Camino Del Mar. 

This promotion takes place on the following days: Saturday, December 13, Saturday, December 20, Wednesday, December 24, Thursday, December 25, and Thursday, January 1.

Initiated by the Del Mar Village Association (DMVA) and unanimously approved by the Del Mar City Council, visitors and residents will see signs on downtown meters and parking signs indicating FREE ALL-DAY PARKING on the specific days.

The Del Mar Plaza has validated parking every day and downtown parking is free after 6pm every night of the week. 

Beat the malls, come for holiday shopping in downtown Del Mar and stay for a lunch or dinner!

Click here for an interactive map of Del Mar

 

 Del Mar Thoroughbred Clubs 2009 Race Season starts July 22nd and continues through September 9th, 2009, for a 43 racing days, six days a week over seven weeks, plus one extra closing day the Wednesday after Labor Day.  Information on Del Mar Racing and the 2009 Season can be found on Del Mar Thoroughbred Club website, click here.

Mark Your Holiday Calendars for Holiday Wonderland 2008 in the Village of Del Mar
December 7th, 1PM-6PM

This annual event is presented by the Del Mar Village Association
With the Support of the City of Del Mar

Holiday Festivities
1PM-5PM

Tree Lighting
& Live Music
5PM-6PM
A True Old-Fashioned Holiday Event for the Whole Family!

HOLIDAY WONDERLAND encompasses the entire downtown area with activities for every age throughout the Village of Del Mar along Camino Del Mar/Pacific Coast Highway 101 from 15th Street to 10th Street as well as the Del Mar Plaza.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the local schools.

 Festivities for the Day Include:
1PM -5PM

• Santa Claus Pictures
• Horse and Carriage Rides
• Live Music
• Arts and Crafts
• Famous Heights and Hills Cake Walk
• Body Painting and Henna
• Tastes from Del Mar Restaurants
• Kids' Fun Zone
• Cotton Candy, Popcorn and Treats
• Holiday Gift Bazaar
• Jimmy O's and Del Mar Rotary Club BBQ

Holiday Entertainment
1PM-5PM

• Craig Newton Holiday Show
• Del Mar Heights Choir
• Del Mar Hills Choir
• Gregory Michael's Band
• Hullabaloo
• Kate Fuller
• Michael Tiernan
• Randy Fontaine and the Swingers
• Steven Ybarra
• Torrey Pines Dance Team
• Winston School Band

 Fun at the Del Mar Library - FREE Holiday Activities/Programs
at the Library

1-4:30PM   Snowflake Ornament Decorating
1:30PM      Gingerbread Boy Puppet Show
2-4PM        Gingerbread Boy Cookie Decorating
3-4:15PM   Visit from Mother Goose
4:15PM      Gingerbread Boy Puppet Show 

Tree Lighting
& Live Music
5PM - 6PM
 At the L'Auberge Outside Amphitheatre (Corner of 15th Street and Camino Del Mar/Hwy 101) for the annual Del Mar Tree Lighting. Enjoy holiday music by Michael Tiernan, complimentary refreshments provided by L'Auberge Del Mar/Kitchen 1540, and the lighting of Del Mar's 35' tree!