Del Mar History

The Del Mar history begins as Del Mar was populated by Indian inhabitants possibly dating back 50,000 years. The San Dieguito Indians were the most ancient inhabitants, believed to have come from southern Oregon by way of the Mojave Desert and Imperial County.

Years later, in 1882 the first Southern California Railroad entered it's new route from San Diego to San Bernardino. A New Yorker, Theodore M. Loop, an engineer and contractor built his home just North of San Diego while he worked on the railroad project. Mr. Loop liked the area so much he told people that he had "found the most attractive place on the entire coast". Loop created a "tent city" that his wife Ella called  "Del Mar".  Shortly after, Loop met a Colonel and successful rancher Jacob Shell Taylor who was mesmorized by the beauty of this coastal beauty just as Loop was. Taylor envisioned this captivating beach community as a place for the rich and famous. In the summer of 1885, he purchased 338.11 acres for $1000.00. The summer of 1885 until 1889 Taylor created many of the towns buildings. A two story Victoria schoolhouse, 40 small homes and "Casa Del Mar" the areas first resort. Shortly after the resort burnt down and Taylor gave up his dream. Taylor moved to Texas, leaving the town he founded, never to return.

1n 1905 Del Mar was revived. The South Coast Land Company built a new hotel. The South Coast Land Company hired a prominent Los Angeles architect, John C. Austin, to draw plans for a new hotel, the Hotel Del Mar. From its elegant opening in 1910, it served as a magnet for Hollywood stars of the silent film days.

The village also offered a pier, bath house, pool, golf course, and its own powerhouse.

Of course the "plunge" and pier were the main attractions. From 1912 to 1920, beautiful new homes soon became landmarks. Home building came to a halt in the late 1930s; however, life in Del Mar went on and a Civic Association was formed in 1931.
In 1933, a search for a location for the San Diego County Fair began. Ed Fletcher suggested that the 184 acre site in the San Dieguito Valley - just off the main highways and the Santa Fe Road - would be easily accessible and a perfect setting for a fairground.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided initial funding and the Del Mar Fair opened to a great fanfare on October 8, 1936. Fifty thousand people came to enjoy the exhibits and entertainment. Selection of a queen - the Fairest of the Fair - soon became a highlight of this annual event. The final touch on the fairgrounds was the mile-long oval racetrack.

The Santa Fe Railroad launched a special racetrack train from Los Angeles to Del Mar that carried Hollywood stars and, at times, late-running horses. The party started on the train. If the train was late, the races were delayed. It became a Del Mar tradition for the fans in the grandstand to start cheering when they saw the train turn the bend just before the station. Actors and horse racing enthusiasts Bing Crosby and Pat O'Brien the Vice President helped fund the track's construction and were members of the Del Mar's board of directors.  On opening day July 3, 1937, Bing Crosby was at the gate to welcome fans.

Del Mar Today

Let's begin in this 2.1 square mile beach community in the Northern County of San Diego.  Famous Del Mar Race Track "Where the Turf Meets the Surf" an American Thoroughbred horse racing track located at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Del Mar offers some of the greatest racing in America! Each year, the track opens in mid-July to crowds upwards of 40,000 and continues for 37 days of horse racing fun. The Fairgrounds and Horsepark are the sites of nearly 350 events each year. They include weddings, receptions, bar and bat mitzvahs, equestrian and other animal shows, concerts, craft shows, home shows and other social and consumer events. If you are a Fair enthusiast you can enjoy the San Diego County Fair usually in the months of June-July. Mark your calendars for the 2010 San Diego County Fair — Friday, June 11, through Monday, July 5.

If you are visiting the quaint seaside town of Del Mar relax at the Del Mar Motel on the Beach. Situated right next door are just two of about 25 popular restaurants The Poseidon Restaurant award winning "Best Outdoor Dining", "Best Seafood Restaurant", and "Best Sunday Brunch". Located next to Poseidon is Jakes Restaurant. A warm and inviting ambiance. The service is friendly and the food will satisfy your seafood culinary tastebuds. If you like Ahi try the "Ahi Poke Rolls" appetizer.

Just south is Powerhouse Park and Community Center is a nice grassy park along the oceanfront of Del Mar that overlooks Del Mar City Beach. Enjoy a picnic on the lawn. The Summer Twilight Concert Series is a summer highlight with great bands, nice weather, comfortable family fun atmosphere.

Adjacent to Powerhouse Park is Seagrove Park has open grassy areas, along with pine trees, red-brick pathways, and wooden park benches. This is a popular spot for weddings and gatherings. Seagrove Park is also a great place to picnic, particulary on the lawn at the parks edge, overlooking the ocean.

North Beach (a.k.a. Dog Beach) was incorporated as a "dog friendly" town in 1959. North Beach, affectionately called "Dog Beach" by dog owners, is located north of 29th Street and stretches nearly one half mile to our border with Solana Beach.  Dogs must be leashed June 15th through Labor Day.

Del Mar Hiking Trails

Carmel Mountain Preserve, Carmel Valley
MILEAGE: 3 miles of trails

TRAILHEAD: The end of East Ocean Air Drive, next to new Ocean Air Park, Tang Drive off Carmel Creek Road and Carmel Country Road

HIGHLIGHTS: Views of the ocean, mountain ridges, Carmel Valley. A new signpost at the Ocean Air entrance has trail tips and posted map of the mountain. Trails are mixed-use, some marked equestrian only, others hiking and biking.

Carmel Valley Restoration Enhancement Project (CVREP) Trail, Carmel Valley
MILEAGE: 1.6 miles

TRAILHEAD: Tang Road off Carmel Creek Road and Carmel Country Road.

HIGHLIGHTS: Paved trail, popular for multi-uses. New benches and pet waste dispensers installed this year by Eagle Scout Max Killman.


Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley
MILEAGE: About a mile

TRAILHEAD: Dead-end of Carmel Valley Road, past Highway 56

HIGHLIGHTS: Quiet, wide trail, a freshwater marsh, a creek that runs when it rains and undisturbed Southern Maritime habitat. Below Del Mar Mesa Road, there is an interesting shrine of animal figurines.


Crest Canyon, Del Mar
MILEAGE: 1.5-mile loop

TRAILHEADS: Crest Way, Durango Drive, Racetrack View Drive

HIGHLIGHTS: Coastal sage scrub, Torrey pines and gorgeous sandstone cliffs. Open only to hikers.

Penasquitos Canyon Preserve, Del Mar Mesa
MILEAGE: 12 miles of trails

TRAILHEAD: Del Vino Court in Del Mar Mesa, Carmel Country Road, Camino Del Sur

HIGHLIGHTS: Coastal sage, chaparral, "cobble" trail, quiet. The Penasquitos Creek Waterfall is a real treat - the creek is the source of the Penasquitos Lagoon.


Torrey Pines Extension, Del Mar
MILEAGE: 2 miles of trails

TRAILHEAD: Del Mar Scenic Parkway

HIGHLIGHTS: Torrey pines, sandstone cliff walls, narrow paths.

(Karen Billing - Del Mar Times)  


 

Check out the Del Mar Art Center. This non-profit organization opened it's doors on July 5, 2000. The Del mar Art Center is one of the few venues where Southern California artists, both emerging and established, can exhibit regularly through the jurying process, and can receive exposure in one of the North County’s most frequented galleries.

Crime Reports & Statistics

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

Del Mar Schools