Five Things You Must Do When Visiting Del Mar California

Del Mar California is a dream town – anSoar through the sky in a hot air balloon as it
upscale ocean-side community just north of Sanbecomes part of the wind and glides effortlessly
Diego.   Within the Del Mar city limits, a quaintabove the hills and bed and breakfast inns – a
historical village serves as a backdrop to a smallcalm, peaceful and relaxing way to panoramically
seaside resort first made famous in the 1930'stake in the enormity of the Pacific Ocean and San
when Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante and other raceDiego countryside.   Hot air balloon companies
horse lovers from the rich-and-famous Hollywoodoffer daily sunrise and sunset tours from a site
set out to build a horse race track at thenear the Del Mar fairgrounds and race track. 
fairgrounds.  You’ll float eastward towards Rancho Santa
1.  The Place To Be Is EpazoteFe and the Cuyamaca Mountains and experience
Del Mar’s historic downtown village datesrare views of the San Diego coastline from San
back to the 1880’s and offers over sixtyClemente all the way to Mexico.  
unique shops, quaint inns and hotels and twentyMany describe flying in a hot air balloon as one of
five restaurants with enough variety to pleasethe most serene, enjoyable activities they’ve
even the pickiest of shoppers and eaters.  Aevery experienced.  Sunny skies and a heavenly
great place to begin or conclude your shoppingsunset allow you to experience what it’s like
and dining tour of Del Mar proper is at theto float among the clouds.  If you’re staying
impressive Del Mar Plaza at the corner of Caminoat a hotel in Del Mar, you can experience the
del Mar (old Highway 101) and 15th Street.  Theviews and flights of a lifetime with Panorama
plaza is the home of my favorite Del MarBalloon Tours, Skysurfrer Balloon Tours, Magical
restaurant, Epazote.  Adventures or Sky’s The Limit Balloon
Epazote is a wonderful place for lunch or end ofAdventures.  Simply Google them for information.
the day cocktails because it has an outdoor patio4.  Get The Tan Of A Lifetime
that swells with sunshine, sea breezes andWith 2.5 miles of sandy beaches and excellent
enchanting panoramic views of the Pacificconditions for swimming, body surfing, board
Ocean.  It’s also one of Del Mar’ssurfing, 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, itsnearby bed and breakfast in Encinitas is just a
180-degree views of the Pacific, a hip bar, and ablock from Moonlight Beach, appropriately named
cutting edge ocean view lounge makes it a greatthe Inn at Moonlight Beach.  On some beaches,
day or night experience and you can walk back toresidents 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 Timepeople spending the whole day under the sun with
Torrey Pines State Park is a 1700 acre naturalfriends and family.  The best and most popular
habitat to the rare Torrey Pine tree and is one ofbeach is at the end of 15th Street – crowded
few locations in the world where the Torrey Pineyear around with families, couples, friends and
tree grows. The park offers seven hiking trailssurfers.  Del Mar beaches are so popular because
with stunning views of wind bent trees, abstractthe waves are usually gentle and it’s a great
sandstone formations wildflowers and the seaplace to learn to surf.  A good selection of Del
below, all of which is constantly changing as theMar hotels are nearby.
sun and cloud formations move to change the5.  Pedal Around Town
lighting.  Locals park just outside the park in theBike riding is one of the simplest ways to have
free parking lot along the ocean and Highway 101fun, enjoy the wonderful Del Mar scenery and
and walk up the hill to the Nature Center for astay fit and in-shape, especially if you’re
great workout and spectacular scenery.  You canstaying at a Del Mar B&B or other vacation
spend a whole day hiking up the cliffs and downor resort lodging.  With our near-perfect weather
to the ocean through red sandstone canyonsall year, enjoying the great outdoors is a way of
carved thousands of years ago.  Be sure to bringlife for most Del Martians.  Ride up and down the
your camera because all the trails have incrediblequiet residential streets along the ocean.  Del Mar
views of the Pacific Ocean.  In spring and earlyis full of paths and trails that give cyclists an
summer the hillsides are cove red with nativeopportunity 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 Awayfun, get fit, and relax!