If you ever dream of living in the perfect beach town, a quaint place with lots of charm situated along the coastline is what comes to mind.  To find that perfect community, you need not look any further than Del Mar, California.  Known for horse racing at the famed Del Mar Racetrack, the city of Del Mar is an affluent coastal community with so much to offer its residents and visitors.  The perfect year round temperatures and picturesque appeal make it an ideal place to live as well as vacation.  In fact, it is one of the most sought after vacation rental destinations in the country. 

The Draw of Del Mar

First and foremost, Del Mar is a “breeding ground” for the thoroughbred industry as the Del Mar Racetrack is an institution in California.  For two months during the summer, horse enthusiasts and spectators from all over come to Del Mar to venture out to the racetrack for one of the most fun and exciting sports – thoroughbred racing.

Outside horse racing, much of the community revolves around the beach.  It is no wonder as this is one of the most beautiful coastal areas on the Pacific coast.  Because of the atmosphere in Del Mar, the beaches are very family friendly.

In addition, Del Mar also caters to its residents and area guests with fun events in the summer and fall.  Events like the Summer Solstice at Powerhouse Park in June, Taste and Art Stroll in October and other events are popular festivals that the residents love.

In terms of shopping, Del Mar has a lot to offer making it hassle free to shop.  From the Del Mar Highlands Town Center located east of I-5, to the Del Mar Plaza along the coast, shoppers can find pretty much anything they need or want at one of the major retailers or specialty shops. 

Del Mar Village is located in the center of Del Mar and oozes charm and grace.  The Del Mar Village Association works tirelessly to enrich the joie de vivre all while maintaining the character of the community.

The People Who Live in Del Mar

Another part of the ambiance of Del Mar is the people who live here.  This is a community of active residents who love their town.  They have a desire to preserve its appeal and keep that small town flavor alive.    It is a relatively small community with only 4,161 affluent residents with a median age of about 48 years and a median income of about $130,000 per year.  The residents are very well educated with over 70 percent having a bachelor’s degree and many working in professional occupations.

Living in Del Mar

Because this is a relatively small community, there are several small neighborhoods that feature mostly single-family homes with some condominium and townhome complexes mixed in them.  Single-family homes are priced on the upper end with most homes priced from the upper-$600s to well over $25 million.  As with any home in any part of the northern coastal section of San Diego County, the price depends partly on the views.  Brisas Del Mar, Las Vistas and Pointe Del Mar feature homes starting in the upper $700s.  As you get closer to the coast, the views get more spectacular and the prices go up in such neighborhoods as Rancho Del Mar and Beach Colony where homes start at about $1 million .  The most exclusive neighborhood is probably Sandy Lane where homes start at $4 million.  In the Village and Olde Del Mar, character reigns supreme with bungalow and contemporary style homes starting at just over $1 million and climbing up over $7 million.

Perfectly Perfect Del Mar

Del Mar stands out with its combination of charm and elegance.  It is such a friendly area but has a subtle hint of affluence that is hard to point out but is there.  The residents love this town and visitors cannot wait to get here.  Once here, it is no wonder that people want to stay!