| Del Mar California is a dream town – an | | | | Soar through the sky in a hot air balloon as it |
| upscale ocean-side community just north of San | | | | becomes part of the wind and glides effortlessly |
| Diego. Within the Del Mar city limits, a quaint | | | | above the hills and bed and breakfast inns – a |
| historical village serves as a backdrop to a small | | | | calm, peaceful and relaxing way to panoramically |
| seaside resort first made famous in the 1930's | | | | take in the enormity of the Pacific Ocean and San |
| when Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante and other race | | | | Diego countryside. Hot air balloon companies |
| horse lovers from the rich-and-famous Hollywood | | | | offer daily sunrise and sunset tours from a site |
| set out to build a horse race track at the | | | | near the Del Mar fairgrounds and race track. |
| fairgrounds. | | | | You’ll float eastward towards Rancho Santa |
| 1. The Place To Be Is Epazote | | | | Fe and the Cuyamaca Mountains and experience |
| Del Mar’s historic downtown village dates | | | | rare views of the San Diego coastline from San |
| back to the 1880’s and offers over sixty | | | | Clemente all the way to Mexico. |
| unique shops, quaint inns and hotels and twenty | | | | Many describe flying in a hot air balloon as one of |
| five restaurants with enough variety to please | | | | the most serene, enjoyable activities they’ve |
| even the pickiest of shoppers and eaters. A | | | | every experienced. Sunny skies and a heavenly |
| great place to begin or conclude your shopping | | | | sunset allow you to experience what it’s like |
| and dining tour of Del Mar proper is at the | | | | to float among the clouds. If you’re staying |
| impressive Del Mar Plaza at the corner of Camino | | | | at a hotel in Del Mar, you can experience the |
| del Mar (old Highway 101) and 15th Street. The | | | | views and flights of a lifetime with Panorama |
| plaza is the home of my favorite Del Mar | | | | Balloon Tours, Skysurfrer Balloon Tours, Magical |
| restaurant, Epazote. | | | | Adventures or Sky’s The Limit Balloon |
| Epazote is a wonderful place for lunch or end of | | | | Adventures. Simply Google them for information. |
| the day cocktails because it has an outdoor patio | | | | 4. Get The Tan Of A Lifetime |
| that swells with sunshine, sea breezes and | | | | With 2.5 miles of sandy beaches and excellent |
| enchanting panoramic views of the Pacific | | | | conditions for swimming, body surfing, board |
| Ocean. It’s also one of Del Mar’s | | | | surfing, boogie boarding, or just lounging in the |
| favorite nightlife destinations with a contemporary, | | | | sun, Del Mar is a vacationer’s delight. A |
| upscale vibe. Sleek and sophisticated, its | | | | nearby bed and breakfast in Encinitas is just a |
| 180-degree views of the Pacific, a hip bar, and a | | | | block from Moonlight Beach, appropriately named |
| cutting edge ocean view lounge makes it a great | | | | the Inn at Moonlight Beach. On some beaches, |
| day or night experience and you can walk back to | | | | residents are allowed to bring their dogs for great |
| your hotel. Oh, and did I mention the food – | | | | games of dog/human Frisbee. No matter what |
| all of it – is creative, unique and wonderful? | | | | beach you’re on, you’ll see hundreds of |
| 2. Take A Hike Through Time | | | | people spending the whole day under the sun with |
| Torrey Pines State Park is a 1700 acre natural | | | | friends and family. The best and most popular |
| habitat to the rare Torrey Pine tree and is one of | | | | beach is at the end of 15th Street – crowded |
| few locations in the world where the Torrey Pine | | | | year around with families, couples, friends and |
| tree grows. The park offers seven hiking trails | | | | surfers. Del Mar beaches are so popular because |
| with stunning views of wind bent trees, abstract | | | | the waves are usually gentle and it’s a great |
| sandstone formations wildflowers and the sea | | | | place to learn to surf. A good selection of Del |
| below, all of which is constantly changing as the | | | | Mar hotels are nearby. |
| sun and cloud formations move to change the | | | | 5. Pedal Around Town |
| lighting. Locals park just outside the park in the | | | | Bike riding is one of the simplest ways to have |
| free parking lot along the ocean and Highway 101 | | | | fun, enjoy the wonderful Del Mar scenery and |
| and walk up the hill to the Nature Center for a | | | | stay fit and in-shape, especially if you’re |
| great workout and spectacular scenery. You can | | | | staying at a Del Mar B&B or other vacation |
| spend a whole day hiking up the cliffs and down | | | | or resort lodging. With our near-perfect weather |
| to the ocean through red sandstone canyons | | | | all year, enjoying the great outdoors is a way of |
| carved thousands of years ago. Be sure to bring | | | | life for most Del Martians. Ride up and down the |
| your camera because all the trails have incredible | | | | quiet residential streets along the ocean. Del Mar |
| views of the Pacific Ocean. In spring and early | | | | is full of paths and trails that give cyclists an |
| summer the hillsides are cove red with native | | | | opportunity to relax, exercise and explore. Any |
| plants ad spectacular wildflowers. | | | | way you cut it, Del Mar is a great place to have |
| 3. Up, Up and Away | | | | fun, get fit, and relax! |