Del Mar is one of the BEST cities along the coast in San Diego County,  The population at last count, the 2000 census, was 4,389. Dotted with great hotels and dinning, beautiful beaches and people, it is a great place to live. Bordered on the south by Los Penasquitos Lagoon and Torrey Pines State Beach (totally exquisite California coastline) and Preserve and the Del Mar Fairgrounds (the place to go for fun) on the north with Solana Beach.

Starting as a tent city in 1882, when the first California Southern Railroad train went over the tracks on its new route from San Diego to San Bernardino. The engineer and contractor of that project, Theodore M. Loop, named this beautiful beach town, "Del Mar" from a favorite poem of his wife Ella's. When Colonel Jacob Taylor  met Loop they decided to purchase 338 acres (1.37 km²) from homesteader Enouch Talbert and Del Mar was founded! Taylor's vision was to create a seaside resort for the rich and famous. he designed and built a town whose focal point was Casa del Mar, a hotel-resort, which was on the spot of the current L'Auberge with a bathing pool that extended out from the beach and dancing pavilions and was a landmark until 1889 when it burned to the ground. 15 years later a new hotel, the Hotel Del Mar, was built and from it's openning in 1910 was a magnet for the Hollywood stars of the day. Del mar now had a pier, a bath house, pool, golf course and it's own powerhouse (still there!) Naturally, there was a housing boom, from 1921-1920, with some homes that we still see today gracing the hill side of Del Mar. 

The famous Fairgrounds and Racetrack evolved a little later. In 1933 a hunt for a location for the San Diego County Fair was launced and Ed Fletcher ( one of our famous residents) suggested the 184 acre site in the San Diegito Valley just to the north of Del Mar. At the time it was just off the main highways (Hwy 1) and the Santa Fe Road. Openning day was  October 8,1936, and 50,000 people came to enjoy the exhibits and entertainment, and what would become one of the highlights - the selection of a queen - the Fairest of the Fair. Adding the mile long oval racetrack was brillant. Bing Crosby took the reins in making the Del Mar Turf Club a reality and Pat O'Brien became the Vice President. On opening day of the race track (July 3, 1937), a new era began in Del Mar. (Truth) The track was hailed as Bing's Baby or Movieland's Own Track. A year later, Bing recorded the song that would open and close everyday of racing since those early days - Where the Turf Meets the Surf ! Openning Day at the Races is one of the biggest, craziest, and funnest social events of the year. To see and be seen. The now famous annual hat competition has everyone in good humor. This years winner was a hot air balloon that was (guessing here...) about 5 feet high and the basket surrounded the wearer like a hula hoop. It was a wow. Not to mention all the hats with horses on top of then and the beautiful romantic group. Sadly my friends wonderful horse didn't place in her race that day, but she is showing her colors and doing well now!

The Fair itself draws visitors from up and down the coast and is one of the best and biggest County Fairs in the US, and a highlight of our summers here. (I love it) It features big name preformers packing the stands to entralled audiences. AMAZING food!!!!!! Unusual like deep-fried chocolate twinkies, and Austrialian Butter Fried Onions, and Tunnel Cakes, and Apple Towers, Fish Tacos, and more and more great food choices, plus the animals ( I like visiting them), the Garden exhibit halls with phenominal gardens springing up on parking lot that are just magnicient, the art and photography and rides (gorgeous at night) and the gadgets and gizmos that we can't live with out in the 3 big halls. I am delighted to have had the honor of being one of the judges for a variety of the exhibits, from art and photography to the great collections. A job that I look forward to every year!

On the South side of town is the famous bridge over the lagoon which feeds out to Torry Pines State Beach. One of the most exquisite pieces of real estate in this world. The Torrey Pines tree after which it is named is a remnant of the ice ages and is now only found in 3 places in the world. Definitely an endangered species.

Today the centerpiece of  Del Mar are L'Auberge - a beautiful hotel designed with the Stratford Inn in mind - and the elegant shops, galleries and boutiques of this picturesque seaside town. The Plaza offers great eating and ocean viewing and is a popular spot to watch the sunset out on the large patio. Seagrove Park is another great outdoors spot with the Powerhouse next door and Jakes and Poisiden right on the sand next to them for some great dining. Crest Canyon now has some great walking trails, taking you from one side of town to another. The newest addition to open space is the esturary by the Fairgrounds with some great walking as well. Dog Beach is fab for volleyball!!!! or your dogs. Houses are mixed old and new and make for a beautiful place to live.

Some Demographics.....As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 4,389 people, 2,178 households, and 1,082 families residing in the city. The population density was 991.0/km² (2,559.7/mi²). There were 2,557 housing units at an average density of 577.3/km² (1,491.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.14% White, 0.25% African American, 0.34% Native American, 2.87% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.87% of the population.

Of the 2,178 households 15.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.3% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.61.

In the city the population was spread out with 13.6% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 33.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 105.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.0 males.

According to estimates by the San Diego Association of Governments, the median household income of Del Mar in 2005 was $108,348 (not adjusted for inflation). When adjusted for inflation the median household income was $87,982

Politics.....In the state legislature Del Mar is located in the 39th Senate District, represented by Democrat Christine Kehoe, and in the 74th Assembly District, represented by Republican Martin Garrick. Federally, Del Mar is located in California's 50th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +5^[5] and is represented by Republican Brian Bilbray.

Notable residents

• Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball maintained a residence in south Del Mar ( along the beach just south of Dog Beach) while still married during the 1950s and 1960s.
• Eva Gardner had a beach house
• Burt Bacharach, writer of the popular song "Do You Know the Way to San José," had a beach residence in south Del Mar.
• Nate Kaeding, San Diego Chargers placekicker.
• Steve Perry, former lead singer of the rock band Journey, lives in Del Mar.
• Zandra Rhodes, celebrity fashion designer, splits her time between homes in Del Mar and London^[6] .
• Rachael Flatt, World Junior Champion in Figure Skating, born in Del Mar

 Cultural references

• Del Mar is referenced in the Beach Boys hit "Surfin USA." The song mentions, "You’d catch ’em surfin’ at Del Mar."
• A level from the game Hitman: Blood Money takes place in Del Mar.
• Del Mar the home of the Punnerhood, referenced in various movies such as in Surf's Up (film)
• Del Mar, known for its numerous and beautiful beaches, was mentioned in Time (magazine)'s "100 Greatest Beaches in the World." 15th Street Beach ranked in the top 10, ranking at 4, and although "Dog Beach" did not make it into the Top 100, it did receive an honorable mention.
• Look out for Dog Surfing at Dog Beach! Fundraising for the Helen Woodward Center

Pictures of the town, courtesy of the Del Mar Historical Society,grace the walls behind The Americana (one of the where to be's for breakfast) on 15th and Camino Del Mar.

 Jacob Taylor would be pleased to know that his vision retains its elegant ambiance, hosting guests from all over the world in the crown jewel of San Diego, our Del Mar.