Bing Crosby’s involvement gave Del Mar an entertainment-world connection from its earliest days. His appearance at the turnstile on opening day became part of the venue’s founding story, linking a new racecourse with the personalities of Hollywood. The seaside setting reinforced that sense of a sporting outing combined with a holiday atmosphere.
Del Mar’s grounds took on a different role during the Second World War, when racing was interrupted and the facilities were used for the war effort. That change belongs to the wider history of California’s sporting venues adapting to military needs. Its return to racing after the war restored the seaside venue’s original sporting purpose.
Powerhouse Park. Spend time beside the Pacific on the oceanfront lawns and beach, close to the shops and cafés of the village.
Torrey Pines. For a separate coastal outing south of Del Mar, explore the reserve’s distinctive pine woodland and cliff-top landscapes.
Del Mar has 3,954 residents.
