What to Do In Del Mar, California

Del Mar is a coastal city in California that has a history going back to the 19th century and a current population of just over 4,300.

What are the main attractions here that you might like to know about?

Visit the Beach

With more than two miles of sandy beach, Del Mar offers a great place to get out and walk or soak up some sun. Del Mar City Beach is particularly popular, running from Powerhouse Park to the point where the lagoon entrance meets the San Dieguito River.

At the other side of the lagoon entrance is Del Mar North Beach, which you might see referred to as the Dog Beach because of the way that many locals take their canine buddies out for a walk on it.

The beaches here get extremely busy most days, so you will want to give yourself enough time to find somewhere to park. However, once you are out on the sand it is easy to forget about everything else and just enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

A little further out of town, you will find the Torrey Pines State beach. This beach has a good range of facilities for families and includes swimming and surfing areas. You can also start the scenic Torrey Pines State Reserve hike from here if you are feeling active.

Watch the Breeder’s Cup and Other Horse Races

The Del Mar racetrack is one of the most famous horse racing venues in the countries. It was created in the mid-1930s and the spectacular one-off $25,000 race between Seabiscuit and Ligaroti in 1938 helped to cement its reputation as one of the most iconic and exciting American racetracks.

It then became famous as the chosen horse racing venue for some of the biggest Hollywood stars of the 1950s and 60s, giving it a glamorous reputation that it still retains to this day. In 2017, The Breeders’ Cup was held here and this series of high-profile horse races is back again in 2021.

14 races are scheduled for November 5 and 6, with the most famous being the Breeders’ Cup Classic, with a $6 million purse up for grabs in this race. You can find the odds here on TwinSpires.

This is the highlight of the horse racing season at Del Mar, but other races can be seen from July through to September and then in the last couple of months of the year.

Other Events at the Del Mar Fairgrounds

The racetrack is part of the Del Mar Fairgrounds, but it isn’t the only event you might want to visit when you are here. Another major highlight is the San Diego Country Fair, which used to be called the Del Mar Fair.

It is held each summer, with a different theme adopted each year. The theme in 2021 was home-grown fun after the 2020 event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a smaller affair than had been the case in the past, with fewer than 300 vendors. Previously, this Fair has attracted more than a million visitors each year.

Throughout the year, you can also come across interesting events, such as the Holiday of Lights and the Scream Zone. There is also an antiques show that is traditionally held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds three times a year.

Having looked at some of the key things to do in Del Mar, it is clear that this is a part of California that has attractions for every type of visitor. Whether you love horse racing, going to the beach, or visiting fairs and shows, you are sure to find something to keep you entertained.

Photo by Ariel Blanco on Unsplash

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