Del Mar
Build a Del Mar day around the racetrack, Powerhouse Park, bluff-top sunset lawns, and a compact village break.
Start here
12 in total
Neighborhood GuidesThe 9 Best Things to Do in Del Mar, Ranked9
Neighborhood DiningThe 10 Best Restaurants in Carmel Valley and Del Mar Heights10
SeasonalDel Mar Races: 9 Ways to Do a Day at the Track9
Outdoors & ViewsThe 12 Best Dog-Friendly Places in San Diego, Ranked12
Bars & NightlifeThe 10 Best Beer Gardens in San Diego10
MarketsThe 13 Best Farmers Markets in San Diego, by Day of the Week13
Every list that covers Del Mar
Updated as places change
9 rankedNeighborhood GuidesThe 9 Best Things to Do in Del Mar, RankedUpdated Jul 20
10 rankedNeighborhood DiningThe 10 Best Restaurants in Carmel Valley and Del Mar HeightsUpdated Aug 2
9 rankedSeasonalDel Mar Races: 9 Ways to Do a Day at the TrackUpdated Aug 2
12 rankedOutdoors & ViewsThe 12 Best Dog-Friendly Places in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 24
10 rankedBars & NightlifeThe 10 Best Beer Gardens in San DiegoUpdated Aug 2
13 rankedMarketsThe 13 Best Farmers Markets in San Diego, by Day of the WeekUpdated Aug 2
9 rankedRestaurantsThe 9 Best Waterfront Restaurants in San DiegoUpdated Aug 2
9 rankedBeachesThe 9 Best Family Beaches in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 30- 10 rankedBeachesThe 10 Best Beaches in San Diego County, RankedUpdated Jul 27
9 rankedArts & CultureThe 9 Best Live Music Venues in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 27
10 rankedBars & NightlifeThe 10 Best Rooftop Bars in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 26
7 rankedSeafoodThe 7 Best Oyster Happy Hours in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 24
The neighborhood itself
13 verified places · 6 eat & drink and 6 things-to-do listsDel Mar gives you two easy anchors: the racetrack and the coast. For a beach day, start at Powerhouse Park, walk into the village for the public ocean view from Del Mar Plaza, then finish on the bluff at Seagrove Park. The San Dieguito Lagoon boardwalk is the flat, quieter add-on.
If the races are the reason for the trip, build the day around the current meet calendar instead. Confirm admission, first post, shuttle service, and parking before leaving.
If you only do 5 things
1Del Mar Racetrackraces2North BeachdogsKnow before you go
Race days: Via de la Valle locks up before the 2pm first post — ride the train to Solana Beach; the race-day shuttle is free with a valid ticket
Parking: track lot is $15 with no re-entry; Coast Blvd beach spots go by mid-morning in summer
After rain: skip the water for 72 hours — the river mouth at North Beach carries the advisories; check sdbeachinfo.com
Where they are — 13 verified places
The index
Ranked places pulled from all 12 listsAt Del Mar North Beach, the calendar decides how much freedom your dog gets.
Seagrove Park makes sunset about as easy as it gets in Del Mar.
Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary swaps the beach for feathers.