Del Mar, a coastal California town, has many interesting locations to visit. From its professional surfing community to its bohemian appeal, you can play in the waves, ride the cars at the Del Mar Race Track Carousel, wander beside the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park, and enjoy a variety of other interesting things to do in Del Mar.
Rent a road bike and ride along the winding coast trail, or explore the colorful streets of lovely La Jolla Village. With so many activities on this well-traveled stretch of land, it’s easy to lose sight of time.
If you’ve ever been to Del Mar but didn’t get the entire experience, you’ve come to the correct spot, traveler! I hope you’re an adrenaline addict, since much of what I’ll discuss is exhilarating and a must-do in Del Mar.
If you intend to visit other California areas, here are some additional wonderful tips to the finest places to eat:
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Contents
The Top 6 Things to Do in Del Mar
Dine on the Sand
Poseidon Restaurant in Del Mar is a beachfront casual dining establishment. Visitors at this San Diego restaurant may expect fresh seafood, salads, and grilled foods served in a laid-back, hedonistic setting.
If you want to see the ocean, we propose Pacifica Del Mar at Del Mar Plaza. This restaurant is well-known for its seafood, steak, and fish tacos (a San Diego must-eat).
The Del Mar Plaza’s eating choices range from casual American cuisine to gourmet dining. Pacifica Del Mar at the Westin Hotel (Westin Del Mar) is an excellent choice with ocean views from its restaurant.
The cuisine is largely seafood, with some steak and spaghetti thrown in for good measure. There is also a good variety of vegetarian and vegan options.
When it comes to doing worthwhile things in Del Mar, the possibilities are practically endless. Whether you want to experience local culture or spend time at the beach, you’ll find something to suit your preferences and budget here.
Pacifica Seafoods on Camino Del Mar is always a favorite of mine. If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be their butterfish sashimi cured in lime juice.
You won’t go wrong with any of these beach-side eateries if you’re seeking for nice places to dine in Del Mar.
Take a Hike
Hiking through Torrey Pines State Park is a relaxing way to spend a day in southern California. The Reserve includes the iconic Torrey Pine, the rarest pine tree in North America, as well as 16 miles of beachfront cliffs.
Connecting paths provide tourists with a range of hiking and biking options, and you can even learn about the area’s history at one of the museums.
Hiking lovers go to Torrey Pines State Reserve for a hard but rewarding trip through the spectacular coastal wildness’ pine trees and sandstone canyons.
There are eight miles of hiking paths accessible, but we prefer the Beach Trail since it provides better vistas, more opportunities to investigate tidal pools at low tide, and culminates with a journey down to the beach for those who want a little sand between their toes.
Hiking is one of the greatest things to do in Del Mar for a combination of stunning scenery and fitness.
Riding in a Balloon
There is plenty to see in Del Mar, and the best way to view it is from above and in the air. Magical Adventure Balloons provides year-round balloon rides in San Diego, including sunset views above Del Mar’s exquisite mansions and golf courses.
The balloon hovers roughly 120 feet above the ground, offering unparalleled views of the city and the ocean.
Visitors to Del Mar will almost certainly see many hot air balloons over the town as evening falls, and there is no question that it is a terrific way to observe the city from above. Magical Adventure Balloon Rides provides Del Mar balloon excursions year-round, and they welcome passengers to experience a romantic ocean sunset balloon trip over the region’s magnificent residences and golf courses.
Balloon pilots have long relied on the city-owned Del Mar Airpark to launch and land their hot air balloons. They come for charitable purposes, for photography, or to anchor over the ocean and picture the beach from 300 feet in the air. Don’t miss out on Del Mar’s high-flying attraction.
Go Sailing
During your San Diego trip, you may locate a terrific area to surf regardless of your age or degree of expertise. Del Mar has several excellent surfing areas.
Del Mar not only offers some of the most gorgeous beaches in California, but it also has excellent spots for catching waves on inflatables, stand-up paddleboards, and bodyboards. Thus, whether you want to stand on top of your first wave or are a seasoned veteran, nothing beats learning how to surf on a San Diego trip.
Del Mar is an excellent area to learn how to surf since it is less congested than some of the other surfing sites in Southern California. Additionally, with a beginner section and other sites for expert surfers, there are ideal areas in Del Mar to learn how to surf regardless of your ability level.
Del Mar Surf School offers surf instruction, and the Rusty Del Mar surf store rents out wetsuits, surfboards, and boogie boards to those who wish to hit the waves themselves. Don’t forget to dine at one of the numerous eateries that make up the Del Mar hamlet.
Whether you want to hang out or hang ten, going to the beach is a great way to spend your time in Del Mar.
Visit the Ecological Reserve and Nature Center at San Elijo Lagoon.
The San Elijo Lagoon is one of San Diego’s major wetlands, largely a shallow-water estuary created by the confluence of Escondido and La Orilla Creeks with the Pacific Ocean.
This 979-acre reserve is home to a variety of waterfowl and shorebird species, including the endangered Yuma Clapper rail. The reserve also has almost two kilometers of beaches, making it a popular tourist and local attraction.
The San Elijo Lagoon offers natural tranquility and entertainment, whether you want to take an afternoon walk or spend the whole day with your family!
Del Mar has a wide range of outdoor and recreational activities. Visit your seaside town to enjoy miles of walking, hiking, biking, and equestrian pathways that link walking trails all throughout the city.
Enjoy picnic sites with BBQ pits to enjoy the year-round Southern California weather, or trek farther out for breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Several hotels are within walking distance of two public golf courses, and shopping and restaurants are available in both directions.
The northern section of the San Elijo Lagoon, which was originally held by Southern California Edison as a drainage basin for de-salting local ocean water for its diesel power plant, is now home to one of the South Bay coast’s few recognized biological reserves.
The reserve preserves an estuary ecosystem comprised of salt and freshwater marshes, dunes, and open sand regions classified by the Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area. With almost ten miles of paths through this bird-watching paradise, you will encounter flora and creatures that deserve respect.
If you appreciate the chance to contact with nature, this is one of the greatest Del Mar activities for you.
Take up golf.
The top things to do in Del Mar, CA, including a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and the opportunity to play on the renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course. This is a lovely place to spend a day of leisure time.
The Torrey Pines Golf Course, located in the lovely town of Del Mar, California, is the home of the Farmers Insurance Open and has hosted many great players such as Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.
In addition to its difficult terrain, it provides breathtaking views of the beach and the Pacific Ocean. You may not only play golf here, but you can also refuel at one of the wonderful eateries in neighboring Del Mar.
A journey to Del Mar, California, will allow you to soak in the sun and surf. Its stunning coastline, legendary golf courses, and restaurants offering fresh seafood will entice you to return again and again. While Del Mar is best known for its annual golf tournament, there is much to do all year.
Where else should you go in California? See our other California guides:
Weekend Activities in San Francisco, California
11 Amazing Livermore California Activities
The Top 5 Things to Do in Sebastopol
5 Things To Do In Dunsmuir, California
Conclusion
Come Del Mar in any season and you’ll fall in love with the way the famed beaches, world-renowned racecourse, and upmarket living combine with the gorgeous weather to create a location where non-stop excitement meets laid-back living.
The beaches, Farmers Market (open every Saturday at The Shops at Del Mar), La Gran Plaza (home to a huge assortment of high-end businesses), golf, and other activities are among the major tourist attractions in Del Mars.
You wouldn’t want to read about all the things to do in Del Mar if I wrote about them all. That is why I have selected various activities that I believe are worthwhile of your money and time. Use this guide as a starting point, but don’t be afraid to hunt for the greatest things to do in Del Mar on your own.