Del Mar

Just up the coast from La Jolla lies Del Mar, a charming community whose Spanish name appropriately translates to "of the sea." While San Diegans flock to the Del Mar Fairgrounds during the summer for the annual Del Mar Fair and the horse racing season, held at the Del Mar Race Track from late July through mid-September, there are also many reasons to visit Del Mar year round. Walk along Camino Del Mar, the Del Mar equivalent to Main Street USA, and enjoy seaside shops and boutiques, art galleries, outdoor cafes and fine restaurants. Explore Del Mar Plaza, a small, multi-level shopping center tucked tastefully and unobtrusively into the eastern slope of Camino Del Mar. The plaza includes many interesting shops, galleries and restaurants. It's a great place to sit in the late afternoon and watch the skies fill with brightly colored hot air balloons and then the sunset.

Del Mar residents are active, involved people, conscious of the environment, as well as their own well-being. Consequently, the residential architecture in Del Mar is some of the most interesting in San Diego county. Many Del Mar homes have been designed to preserve rather than disturb the natural beauty of the terrain.