Overview
Del Mar is a seaside town of 4,000 people (2020) in the north of San Diego County in Southern California. It has a Bavarian style village and the prettiest beach in California next to Carmel, dotted with old cypresses and clean, light sand, along with views up the coast to Orange County and down the coast to La Jolla.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 3 places to eat · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Del Mar
Del Mar Race Track
Thoroughbred horse racing venue with season running in July and August. Located at the Via De La Valle exit off the I-5. Other events during off season.
San Diego County Fair
San Diego Fair running from June to early July. Other events in off season.
Holiday of Lights
At the Del Mar Fairgrounds in December.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 44°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Escondido)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CLD McClellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad — 12 mi away. Directions
- SAN San Diego International Airport, San Diego — 16 mi away (major hub). Directions
Travelling by car, Del Mar is just off Interstate 5, 30 km north of San Diego.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Del Mar Race Track, San Diego County Fair
- Lunch Poseidon
- Afternoon Holiday of Lights
- Dinner Pacifica Del Mar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Travelling by car, Del Mar is just off Interstate 5, 30 km north of San Diego.
By bus
NCTD runs hourly buses between Oceanside and La Jolla, in northern San Diego.
By train
While Amtrak and commuter Coaster trains pass by Del Mar, there has not been a station in the city for more than two decades. Instead trains call at nearby Solana Beach, three kilometres north of Del Mar.
See
Do
- If you like dogs and surfing, you will love the Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon, a one-day event for surfing dogs. Held in September for over 20&bnsp;years, this competition also has pre-event training so you can teach your pup to hang ten.
Buy
Shop Del Mar Plaza
With three levels each opening to ocean-view balconies, Del Mar Plaza maximizes its scenic setting on the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean. A lifestyle center offering a mix of high-end shopping and dining. With 22 distinctive stores and boutiques, visitors can shop for designer clothing and shoes, fine jewelry, artwork, and home décor. For the food-minded, visitors can relax at one of the plaza’s nine restaurants of various cuisines. Services such as a food market, hair salons, spa, dry cleaners, financial and realty are also available. Most importantly, more than 160,000 sq. ft. of public space is incorporated with comfortable seating and panoramic ocean views.
Eat
Eat Bistro 39
Delicious eclectic cuisine
Eat Poseidon
A seafood restaurant whose tagline is "Coastal Cuisine on the Beach".
Sleep
Go next
Nearby
Solana Beach
City / town · 13 listings · 3 mi away
Encinitas
City / town · 34 listings · 6 mi away
Carlsbad
City / town · 32 listings · 11 mi away
Poway
City / town · 4 listings · 13 mi away
San Marcos
City / town · 9 listings · 14 mi away
Escondido
City / town · 21 listings · 16 mi away
Vista
City / town · 13 listings · 17 mi away
San Diego
City / town · 25 listings · 18 mi away
My experience
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