Imagine a vacation paradise in a lovely, relaxing and scenic little village nestled on the endless Pacific Ocean. Your paradise consists of boutique hotels and Inns, famous five star restaurants and mile after mile of gorgeous beaches. Those elements make up the paradise of Del Mar, California.

Del Mar is Spanish for “by the sea” because it’s located right on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Del Mar is said by some to be at once the most charming and the most romantic resort beach town anywhere in the world. Here in Del Mar you’ll find clean beaches, world-class restaurants, marvelous hiking trails, romantic bed and breakfasts, exotic vacation options, delightful beaches, awesome jogging/hiking trails and a world famous horse racing track

Del Mar has been home to celebrities ever since the 1940’s when Bing Crosby, Pat O’Brien and Jimmy Durante helped turn the Del Mar Race Track Thoroughbred Club into one of the most beautiful and prestigious organizations in the entire racing world. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez were regulars at the track in those days, and Burt Bacharach and Angie Dickenson also had residences in Del Mar. Brad Pitt purchased a home here recently - an $18 million dollar beachfront home - so now Brad Pitt sightings are the new sport in town.

Del Mar isn’t very large, just two square miles along the Northern San Diego County coast between Solana Beach on the north and Torrey Pines State Reserve on the south. Del Mar has a population of 4000 to 5000 Del-Marians (depending on who is counting) who live among the beautiful sandstone canyons interspersed with hillsides or perched on bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, all of them enjoying beautiful sunsets.

Del Mar is the only location in the world where the Torrey Pine tree grows. The Torrey Pine is the rarest pine tree in the United States. It’s highly endangered and protected. There are two populations of native Torrey Pines, one at the Torrey Pines State Reserve and the other in the City of Del Mar.

The San Diego County Fair is hosted on the Del Mar Fairgrounds every summer (more often called the Del Mar Fair). It opened on a 184 acre site in the San Dieguito Valley in 1936. The site was determined to be the perfect spot - just off the main highway while still located near the Pacific Ocean’s cooling breezes on hot summer days. The annual selection of a Queen - the Fairest of the Fair - is a highlight each year.

Singer Bing Crosby took the front role to help bring the now-world-famous Del Mar Race Track into reality. In 1937 the Del Mar Race Track opened to newspapers calling it “Bing’s Baby”. Bing later recorded a song that would eventually open and close every day of racing at Del Mar - Where The Turf Meets the Surf.