Autumn in Del Mar is the Best Time of Year to Visit
Most people associate the beach with summer, and Southern
California's coastal gem, Del Mar, is no exception. Summer is
when the crowds come: school's out, the Del Mar Fair starts in
mid-June and shortly after the fair ends, the horses run at the
world-famous Del Mar Racetrack. The thoroughbred horse racing
season begins in mid July and goes through early September.
The hotels and motels are sold out, beach rentals are scarce and
expensive, the restaurants have one hour-plus waits, and the
beach and roads are crowded. There is a bit of a hectic pace
during the summer in this normally laid back town, located just
north of La Jolla.
However, the locals are patient. They know that after the race
track closes, the tourists, students and race fans leave, the
town returns to that kicked-back pace. But they also know that
some of the best beach weather of the year begins then.
Fall in Del Mar is the perfect time to vacation - whether for a
week at a beach rental, or a long, luxurious weekend at one of
the many nearby resorts in Del Mar or La Jolla. The days are
still long and warm, the water temperature is still in the high
low 70's or high 60's, and the they have the beach practically
to themselves.
Surfers eagerly await the fall because the swells arrive from
the south, often generated by storms and hurricanes thousands of
miles away. When they arrive, the waves are large and
exceptional for surfing.
For the vacationer, beach rentals are a bit easier to find and
certainly less pricey, although students from nearby UCSD snap
up long term rentals for the school year, if they can afford the
pricey Del Mar rents. The hotels and motels have plenty of
vacancies and of course the restaurants are eager to show off
their cuisine with short waits for tables.
The fall is Del Mar is about the best time for a quiet vacation
or a quick getaway.
Getting there is pretty easy. Del Mar is just about 90 minutes
south of Los Angeles by car, and about 20 minutes north of San
Diego. It is also served by Amtrak and the Coaster, a local rail
service from Oceanside to San Diego. San Diego International
Airport is also just minutes south.
Resorts such as L'Auberge in Del Mar and The Lodge at Torrey
Pines will pamper you in style. Excellent restaurants are
minutes away. Jake's, which is the only Del Mar restaurant on
the beach in Del Mar, is one of the favorites. Others include
the Pacifica Grill in the Del Mar Plaza on 15th Street, and for
a latin cuisine, Epazote's is nearby.
Speaking of the Plaza, some of the best shopping around can be
found here at the center of Del Mar.