Breathtaking canyons interspersed with hillsides of homes,
Del Mar is two square miles of coastal land best known for its fairgrounds
and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club "where the surf meets the turf." A colorful
history filled with excitement, pleasure and even a song was created by
Bing Crosby and friends such as Jimmy Durante who turned the Del Mar Thoroughbred
Club into one of the most beautiful and prestigious organizations in the
United States, if not the entire racing world.
If you are looking for a place to stay while visiting
the races, try the L'Auberge Del Mar Resort, the Del Mar hotels at bottom
of the page, or stay next door at the Solana Beach Courtyard
by Marriott. You can take the Amtrak train or Coaster to Solana Beach
(the closest stop to the track) and from there, board the free, double
decker bus that takes you over to the track. You can miss the bright,
red British bus but if you don't see it, just ask one of the nice people
around the station.
Two beautiful beaches, the famous Torrey Pines State Reserve,
sunny weather, an annual fair and the famous Del Mar Racetrack attract
visitors who come to enjoy sports and recreation near the ocean. Located
in San Diego County 20 miles north of the City of San Diego, Del Mar is
bordered on the south by Torrey Pines State Reserve, on the north
by the San Dieguito River, Del Mar Racetrack and San Diego County
Fairgrounds, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. East of Del Mar
is the I-5 freeway and a new community, Carmel Valley.
For fans of Carmel-by-the-Sea on the central California
coast, this is the warmer, southern version. Art galleries, fantastic
ocean views and winding streets supply a feel of an upscale community with
character and charm. Seagrove Park, James Scripps Bluffs Preserve,
Torrey Pines State Reserve and Beach and nearby Torrey Pines Public
Golf Course provide some fantastic outdoor activities and opportunities
to enjoy Pacific Ocean views Del Mar is known for.
Del Mar was named in the late 1800's by Ella Loop. She
and husband, Theodore, owned a tent city by the beach which was also called
Del Mar, Spanish for "by the sea". Theodore, worked as a contractor and
engineer for the California Southern Railroad
which arrived in Del Mar in 1882.
Theodore Loop next formed a partnership with Jacob Taylor
to sell 50 x 140 foot lots. Their marketing created some traffic and interest
which helped launch South Coast Land Company's resort with the centerpiece
Stratford Inn. Receiving electricity from San Diego Gas and Electric in
the late 1920s, residential areas began taking shape and the area experienced
its boom. In 1959 Del Mar residents decided
to incorporate as a city with a five-member City Council
rather than become part of the City of San Diego.
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