A walkable beach village four square miles wide, fifteen minutes up the coast from La Jolla.
I lived in Del Mar, California as a young professional. Much of what I love about it hasn't changed as I still spend a good chunk of time there.
It's only four square miles. A lot of our clients stay here for its central location and pretty beach either in the walkable Village area or east at Fairmont Grand Del Mar. We have tips for what to do, logistics, hotels, and more below.
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View offer ›Includes San Diego Zoo, USS Midway, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and a few others people staying in Del Mar tend to see.
View offer ›Rusty Del Mar offers reasonable boogie board, wetsuit, surfboard, and other rentals.
Get beach gear ›If you need beach gear or baby gear, there are local families who provide it through BabyQuip.
Use BabyQuip ›You would get off the Pacific Surfliner or Coaster at Solana Beach train station, about a mile north of Del Mar.
A couple of bus routes pass through Del Mar. NCTD runs the Breeze Bus, and MTS riders can use the trip planner for times and routes. The Pony Express connects the Coaster to a free shuttle to the racetrack with discounted admission.
As I've said before, both Uber and Lyft work really well in San Diego. A lot of visitors grab one at the airport.
Del Mar Village hotel guests can walk to restaurants, shops, and one of San Diego's best beaches.
About half the people we work with who stay in Del Mar have rental cars and the other half rely on Uber. If you change your mind and need a rental car, there's an Avis in Carmel Valley and an Enterprise in Solana Beach.
Residential streets near the main Village area have free street parking, but be prepared to pay for parking meters and various lots.
Any time is good, however we like the shoulder seasons in Del Mar for pricing because people attending the summer racing season stay in the Village and nearby hotels (so prices tend to rise).
The I-5 corridor near Del Mar and basically all other access roads get congested during large events when people are trying to get to the race track during the San Diego County Fair and summer horse racing season. Traffic is an issue for everyone passing through.
Dog Beach is one of the only leash-free beaches in San Diego, but there are some limitations in the summer months. Read the beach rules before you go. Most restaurants and hotels here are also dog-friendly.
Is there traffic between Del Mar and downtown?
Yes, there is traffic roughly between 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays on the I-5 freeway, from North County San Diego (all the way up to Oceanside) down to roughly Sorrento Valley just north of the La Jolla exits.
Is Fairmont Grand Del Mar on the beach?
No. Fairmont Grand Del Mar is located inland, east of the I-5 freeway, in the Carmel Valley neighborhood. It's a 10-minute drive to the beach. The hotel has a house car that can take you there with complimentary beach gear, subject to availability.
Is Carmel Valley part of Del Mar?
Technically, no. Carmel Valley is part of the City of San Diego, but many refer to it as East Del Mar.
Do Del Mar hotels have street noise?
Some hotels in Del Mar Village are located on Camino Del Mar, the main street that runs through it, so there can be some street noise. At L'Auberge Del Mar, we help people choose rooms to avoid it, if possible.
What do I need to wear in Del Mar?
Like all San Diego beach towns, Del Mar is fairly casual. Nice jeans will do at the nicer restaurants. Even Addison doesn't have a specific dress code, but you'll want to look polished. People do tend to dress up for the horse races if sitting in the premium sections or Turf Club.
The winter holidays at Fairmont Grand Del Mar will feature outdoor ice skating, a Nutcracker holiday tea, and more.
What to know before heading out to the beach in Del Mar including parking instructions, directions, amenities, dog beach, and more.
In Del Mar, your options for places to stay include boutique, luxury and budget hotels. I’ll share top picks and how best to book.
I’ve spent a lot of time at Fairmont Grand Del Mar lately. I’m sharing thoughts on my personal stays, our client reviews, and insider tips from our contacts at the resort you won’t find in other online reviews.
Our whole team loves Del Mar for its awesome beach, boutique shopping, restaurants and other fun activities. I lived there and our clients stay in the hotels so we know what the concierges like, too!
This boutique hotel near the beach feels like a private estate but you’ll want to know how to select a room and book with our benefits.
A review of Hotel Indigo Del Mar, a boutique hotel near the beach that is great for families, pets, and good value for money. What to know.
