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Del Mar

Del Mar History

   Del Mar is known as the city where "the turf meets the surf." Famed for its horse-racing track, it's also a quiet seaside getaway that's been popular for more than 100 years.
   The town began in the late 1800s. Theodore Loop, a California Southern Railroad engineer, fell in love with the area and set up a tent city with his wife in 1882. Ella Loop named the town Del Mar after a popular poem, "The Fight on Paseo Del Mar." The name was apt, because Del Mar is Spanish for "by the sea."
   Del Mar remained a small community until it received electricity in the late 1920s. Residents began moving to the region soon thereafter.
   In the early 1930s, Del Mar was selected as the site for the San Diego County Fair. Construction on the Del Mar Fairgrounds began in 1936 as a WPA project. Today, it covers 360 acres and hosts more than 1 million visitors annually.
   The famous Del Mar Thoroughbred Club opened in 1937 as a playground for the rich and famous. Celebrities such as Bing Crosby and Jimmy Durante came to bet on such renowned horses as Seabiscuit and Ligaroti. During World War II, the track was closed, and the grandstand became an assembly facility. Racing returned to Del Mar when the war ended, and it remains a popular draw.
   Del Mar incorporated as a city in 1959. The community has a small population, but it offers a large variety of activities for residents and visitors alike.

Activities

   Even non-bettors can enjoy the action at the famed Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Race season runs from late July through early September. Satellite wagering is available at other times of the year.
   The San Diego County Fair, held each summer at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, offers food, games, rides and music. The event is the biggest fair event in the San Diego area. The fairgrounds also hosts several events throughout the year, including horse shows, concerts and music festivals.
   There are several places to shop in Del Mar, including Del Mar Plaza, Stratford Square and Flower Hill Mall. Or take a refreshing walk along the beach or through the city's Seagrove Park.
   Nature lovers should visit nearby Torrey Pines State Reserve, featuring eight miles of trails, a visitor center and guided nature walks. The reserve is home to the nation's rarest pine tree, which grows only here and on Santa Rosa Island near Santa Barbara.

Del Mar Fast Facts

   Location: Del Mar is located between Encinitas and La Jolla, about 20 miles north of San Diego
  *Total area: 1.78 square miles (1.71 square miles land area; 0.07 square miles water area)
  *Population: 4,389
  *Housing units: 2,557
   Average annual rainfall: 11.97 inches
   Average temperatures: 72ºF in summer, 55ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

   There are three public schools in Del Mar:

• Del Mar Hills and Del Mar Heights elementary schools
• Westside Leadership Magnet (grades K-12)

Beaches

Maps of Del Mar

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