Imagine a romantic vacation getaway to a quiet, relaxing and scenic village on the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This getaway has charming hotels and Inns, phenomenal restaurants and miles of gorgeous beaches. It’s just those elements that make up the gem that is called Del Mar, California.

Del Mar is Spanish for “of the sea” or “by the sea”, because it is located near the Pacific Ocean and is one of the most beautiful and romantic resort beach towns in the world. It’s here you find world-class restaurants, romantic bed and breakfasts, exotic hiking trails, delightful beaches and a world famous horse racing track

Del Mar has been home to celebrities ever since the 1940’s: Bing Crosby and his friend Jimmy Durante worked together to help turn the Del Mar Race Track into the most beautiful and prestigious race tracks in the horse racing world. One could often find Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez at the track. Other celebrities wanted to be closer, so Burt Bacharach and Angie Dickenson purchased residences in Del Mar. Brad Pitt recently purchased a beachfront home in Del Mar for (eighteen million dollars!) - and now Brad Pitt sightings have become 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 one of few locations in the world where the Torrey Pine grows. The Torrey Pine is the rarest pine in the United States and only two populations of this endangered species exist.

The San Diego County Fair is hosted on the Del Mar Fairgrounds every summer, opening on a 184 acre site in the San Dieguito Valley in 1936. It was determined to be the perfect spot because it was just off the main highways and would be easily accessible - while being near the ocean’s cooling factor on hot summer days. Selection of a queen - the Fairest of the Fair - is a highlight of this annual event.

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.