If you are looking for a place to
stay while visiting the races, try the L'Auberge Del
Mar Resort, the Del Mar hotels at bottom of the
page, or stay next door at the Solana Beach
Courtyard by Marriott. You can take the Amtrak train
or Coaster to Solana Beach (the closest stop to the
track) and from there, board the free, double decker
bus that takes you over to the track. You can miss
the bright, red British bus but if you don't see it,
just ask one of the nice people around the station.
Two beautiful beaches, the famous
Torrey Pines State Reserve, sunny weather, an annual
fair and the famous Del Mar Racetrack attract
visitors who come to enjoy sports and recreation
near the ocean. Located in San Diego County 20 miles
north of the City of San Diego, Del Mar is bordered
on the south by Torrey Pines State Reserve, on the
north by the San Dieguito River, Del Mar Racetrack
and San Diego County Fairgrounds, and on the west by
the Pacific Ocean. East of Del Mar is the I-5
freeway and a new community, Carmel Valley.
For fans of Carmel-by-the-Sea on
the central California coast, this is the warmer,
southern version. Art galleries, fantastic ocean
views and winding streets supply a feel of an
upscale community with character and charm.
Seagrove Park, James Scripps Bluffs Preserve, Torrey
Pines State Reserve and Beach and nearby Torrey
Pines Public Golf Course provide some fantastic
outdoor activities and opportunities to enjoy
Pacific Ocean views Del Mar is known for.
Del Mar was named in the late
1800's by Ella Loop. She and husband, Theodore,
owned a tent city by the beach which was also called
Del Mar, Spanish for "by the sea". Theodore, worked
as a contractor and engineer for the California
Southern Railroad which arrived in Del Mar in 1882.
Theodore Loop next formed a
partnership with Jacob Taylor to sell 50 x 140 foot
lots. Their marketing created some traffic and
interest which helped launch South Coast Land
Company's resort with the centerpiece Stratford Inn.
Receiving electricity from San Diego Gas and
Electric in the late 1920s, residential areas began
taking shape and the area experienced its boom. In
1959 Del Mar residents decided to incorporate as a
city with a five-member City Council rather than
become part of the City of San Diego.
Thing to Do:
