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 “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: 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 is a small town, only two square miles. It’s located on the Northern San Diego County coast between Torrey Pines State Reserve on the south and Solana Beach on the north. The Population of Del Mar is 4000 to 5000 (depending on who does the counting). Residents live among beautiful canyons and hillsides, other perched on bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, all of them enjoying phenomenal 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, 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.

Bing Crosby took a leading role in helping make the now-world-famous Del Mar Race Track a reality. On July 3, 1937, the Del Mar Race Track opened. Newspapers called the track “Bing’s Baby”. In 1938 Bing recorded a song that would open and close every day of racing since those early days – Where The Turf Meets the Surf.

Terry Hunefeld retired as a corporate executive in 2007 to spend more time at sea. He now serves on the board of directors of the Audubon Society and leads charter voyages to sea to observe and count seabirds and marine mammals. To learn more, click Bed and Breakfasts in San Diego or Encinitas Beach Hotels.

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