Saturday, April 4, 2009

Del Mar - Where Bing Crosby and Lucy Ball Used To Play

By Carlos Hunnefeld

Imagine a romantic vacation getaway to a quiet, relaxing and scenic village on the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This getaway has charming hotels and Inns, phenomenal restaurants and miles of gorgeous beaches. It's just those elements that make up the gem that is called Del Mar, California.

Del Mar is Spanish for "by the sea" because it's located right on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Del Mar is said by some to be at once the most charming and the most romantic resort beach town anywhere in the world. Here in Del Mar you'll find clean beaches, world-class restaurants, marvelous hiking trails, romantic bed and breakfasts, exotic vacation options, delightful beaches, awesome jogging/hiking trails and a world famous horse racing track

Del Mar has been home to Hollywood celebrities starting in the 1940's. Bing Crosby and Jimmy Durante made the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club become one of the most famous and prestigious horse racing organizations in the entire world. Angie Dickenson and Burt Bacharach purchased residences in Del Mar. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez were regulars at the track and at Del Mar's restaurants. Brad Pitt recently purchased a home here in Del Mar - an $18 million dollar beachfront home - so now Brad sightings are the new talk of the town.

Del Mar is a small town, only two square miles. It's located on the Northern San Diego County coast between Torrey Pines State Reserve on the south and Solana Beach on the north. The Population of Del Mar is 4000 to 5000 (depending on who does the counting). Residents live among beautiful canyons and hillsides, other perched on bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, all of them enjoying phenomenal sunsets.

Del Mar is home to the endangered Torrey Pine, the rarest species of pine tree in the United States. Only two populations of this endangered species exist - one in Torrey Pines State Reserve the other in Del Mar proper.

The San Diego County Fair is hosted on the Del Mar Fairgrounds every summer (more often called the Del Mar Fair). It opened on a 184 acre site in the San Dieguito Valley in 1936. The site was determined to be the perfect spot - just off the main highway while still located near the Pacific Ocean's cooling breezes on hot summer days. The annual selection of a Queen - the Fairest of the Fair - is a highlight each year.

Singer Bing Crosby took the front role to help bring the now-world-famous Del Mar Race Track into reality. In 1937 the Del Mar Race Track opened to newspapers calling it "Bing's Baby". Bing later recorded a song that would eventually open and close every day of racing at Del Mar - Where The Turf Meets the Surf.

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