Visiting Del Mar, CA | CBS 8 Zip Trip
CBS 8 is hitting the road to feature the vibrant areas of San Diego County. On this Zip Trip, we visit Del Mar and all that makes this community great.
Welcome to Del Mar Where the turf meets the surf
Welcome to Del Mar, California
The City of Del Mar has long been the center of several popular attractions in San Diego County. The Fairgrounds draw thousands of tourists to the city during the county fair season each summer.
Its sunbaked shores are also home to horse races with the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club's two meets, in the summer and fall each year.
There are also many shops, restaurants and seaside hotels that make up this welcoming community.
Larry Brooks is the president of the Del Mar Historical Society and says it all starts with one house. “This is the Alvarado house. It was the first house sold by Jacob Taylor who was the founder of Del Mar in 1885."
The Alvarado house is now tucked away inside the Fairgrounds, helping to preserve part of Del Mar's history.
Brooks says the city’s success started after Jacob Taylor built the first resort next door. “It was really a luxurious hotel. Unfortunately, 4 years later the hotel burned to the ground.”
Jimmy Durante put Del Mar back on the market as a vacation destination and Bing Crosby introduced "Where the turf meets the surf." Today both names are remembered throughout the city for their support and involvement with Del Mar.
Meet the Mayor Del Mar Mayor, Dave Druker
Meet the mayor of Del Mar | Dave Druker
The Del Mar City Council recently appointed Dave Druker as mayor of Del Mar. Mayor Druker stopped by and talked to CBS 8's Evan Noorani about his priorities for the city.
8 Great Things To Do Some of the many activities in Del Mar
8 great things to do in Del Mar
There are many diverse things to do and see in Del Mar including several opportunities to get outside and enjoy nature. CBS 8 is highlighting 8 great spots you need to check out.
Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands
The trendy food hall has nine different restaurants, a cocktail bar and three breweries. It's the perfect place for a date night, happy hour or dinner with friends and family.
Del Mar Dog Beach
It's located north of 29th Street and stretches a half mile to the border of Solana Beach.
Village of Del Mar
It's located between Ninth and 15th street and has a variety of specialty boutiques and bistro-style patio dining.
Del Mar Fairgrounds
The event venue hosts the annual San Diego County Fair, two seasons of horseracing with the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club each year, concerts and much more.
San Dieguito Lagoon
It's a short drive just north of downtown San Diego and most parts of all trails are open to hikers, runners and cyclists.
Del Mar Plaza
The shopping plaza on Camino Del Mar has specialty boutiques, gourmet restaurants and beauty salons.
Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary
Located just off of Jimmy Duranty Boulevard, the hands-on bird sanctuary is a fun place for visitors of all ages to interact with exotic parrots.
Pelly's Mini Golf
Located at the Del Mar Golf Center, people of all ages can enjoy a fun family day of miniature golf. It's open seven days a week
Hotel Indigo Dog-friendly Del Mar hotel
Dog-Friendly Hotel Indigo
Step inside Hotel Indigo in beautiful Del Mar and meet Dexter. “He works here Monday through Friday, no holidays,” Barbara said as Dexter greeted CBS 8’s Eric Kahnert in the lobby.
Barbara has worked at Hotel Indigo for many years and loves the location, the guests and especially all of the pets that make their way through the hotel.
Del Mar is very proud of its dog-friendly restaurants and hotels along the beautiful San Diego County coast.
When it comes to dog-friendly hotels, Hotel Indigo means business. Hundreds of pooches like Dexter here and thousands of people come here each year. And of course, they have a little area for dogs to take care of their business. And if those dogs like ocean views, they can always grab breakfast or lunch on the Ocean Terrace.
Shoresaver Program Keeping Del Mar beaches clean
Shoresaver Program
The City of Del Mar is the first on the West Coast to offer a Shoresaver program to keep the beaches clean.
"We wanted to create active ways for families to come to Del Mar..and leave it better than you found it," Terry Gaasterland, Del Mar Deputy Mayor told CBS 8's Neda Iranpour while walking the beach.
Inspired by Long Island, the East Coast has similar programs, and they’ve proven to be successful. It’s free for the city of Del Mar, thanks to the waste hauler, Edco.
You can bring the basket back to the Lifeguard station or leave it on a rock and the lifeguards will pick it up. The hope is Del Mar leads the way, and that you’ll see baskets up and down the coast, as other cities adopt this program.
San Diego Fair A summer fair tradition
San Diego County Fair | June 12 - July 7
San Diego County's longest-running event is going retro. The San Diego County Fair will celebrate the 1950s through the 1990s with rides, exhibits, concerts, food and more at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in 2024.
The fair runs from June 12 through July 7, and gates are open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily except closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Every year, the fair revolves around a new theme. The 2024 theme: "Let's go retro." The fair will nod to nostalgia through the decades, from the 1950s to the 1990s.
Sampling some of the food at the 2024 fair:
Chris Gros tries out the new ride, Overdrive, at the fair
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Horseracing in Del Mar
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club President | Joe Harper
Horse racing season is about to get underway at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. DMTC President and CEO Joe Harper joined CBS 8 to talk about the upcoming summer meet that kicks off with opening day on Saturday, July 20. More at dmtc.com.
More To Do in Del Mar Events and places that make Del Mar great
Del Mar Wine + Food Festival | October 2-7
Returning to San Diego County this October, the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival will bring a headline list of California’s most renowned chefs, celebrities and professional athletes together for six days of culinary celebration.
The foodie festivities kick off on Oct. 2 and run through Oct. 7 and will feature dozens of events hosted across San Diego’s North County. More information and tickets: delmar.wine.
The Yoga Barre | Opening soon in Del Mar
Nicole Moran with The Yoga Barre joins CBS 8's Evan Noorani to talk about their new location opening soon in the Del Mar Plaza. Set to open in the spring/summer in Del Mar, this will be the second location for the Temecula-based yoga studio. More at: theyogabarre.fit.
The Cottage | Making the move to Del Mar Plaza
Jason Peaslee, co-owner of The Cottage, joined CBS 8’s Evan Noorani in Del Mar to talk about the new location and what makes his restaurant unique. More: cottagelajolla.com.