Major city · United States
Del MarDel Mar, California
Give Del Mar one full day plus a beach morning: 2 nights if you want the fair or the races, otherwise sleep in Solana Beach and day-trip in.
Del Mar is a 4,000-person beach town on the San Diego County coast, 30 km north of downtown San Diego off Interstate 5. The draw is a walkable village, a cliff-top plaza, a long sandy beach below the bluffs and two big seasonal events: the San Diego County Fair in June–early July and thoroughbred racing in July–August. There is no train station in town; the nearest is Solana Beach, 3 km north. Two nights covers it; one day is enough if you are already based in North County.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (fair and race crowds, highest room rates), late May and early September holiday weekends
- Airports
- SAN · CLD
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Del Mar911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- San Diego County non-emergency858-565-5200
- Poison control (24 h)1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Del Mar, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA low-crime, well-off beach town; the real risks are rip currents and cold water at the beach, cliff-edge paths…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 858-565-5200 San Diego County non-emergency · 1-800-222-1222 Poison control (24 h)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSAN San Diego International (Lindbergh Field) (About 30 km (19 mi) south; 25–40 min by car on I-5 depending on traffic.).SAN San Diego International (Lindbergh Field) (About 19 mi (30 km) south; 25–40 min by car on I-5 depending on traffic.).
- Getting aroundThe village, plaza and beach are walkable in 10–20 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–7
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner mainAdd 18–22% tip and sales tax.$22–45
- Street or quick mealCasual lunch (taco, sandwich, bowl)$12–20
- BeerDraft beer at a bar$8–12
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–35
- Museum or sight ticketCounty fair or race track admissioncheck; varies by day and event$10–25
- Budget bedHostel or motel bed, a night, per personUS$55
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$260
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$450
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$110 · Mid US$200 · High US$400
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SAN San Diego International (Lindbergh Field) (About 30 km (19 mi) south; 25–40 min by car on I-5 depending on traffic.) · CLD McClellan–Palomar Airport, Carlsbad (About 20 km (12 mi) north; small airport, limited routes.)SAN San Diego International (Lindbergh Field) (About 19 mi (30 km) south; 25–40 min by car on I-5 depending on traffic.) · CLD McClellan–Palomar Airport, Carlsbad (About 12 mi (20 km) north; small airport, limited routes.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Feb
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Care*
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Care*
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Apr, Jun, Oct. Mixed: May, Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Del Mar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village, plaza and beach are walkable in 10–20 minutes. For anything else you need a car, a rideshare or the NCTD bus along the coast; the Coaster and Amtrak stop at Solana Beach, not in Del Mar. Parking near the beach and the plaza is metered and fills early on summer weekends.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 15–25 min
Coaster or Amtrak to Solana Beach station, or a 10-min drive north on Highway 101
Cedros Avenue design shops and the station for onward trains.
Door to door: 20–30 min
Drive or bus north on Highway 101
Beaches, the Self-Realization Garden and a walkable main street.
Door to door: 25–35 min
I-5 north, about 20 km (12 mi)I-5 north, about 12 mi (20 km)
Village, lagoon and Legoland; a half day or a separate base.
La Jolla
goDoor to door: 25–40 min
I-5 south, about 20 km (12 mi)I-5 south, about 12 mi (20 km)
Cove, seals and museum cluster; go early for parking.
Door to door: 40–50 min
Coaster north from Solana Beach, about 25 min
Pier and harbor; pairs well with a train day.
Door to door: 40–50 min
I-5 to Highway 78 east, about 35 km (22 mi)I-5 to Highway 78 east, about 22 mi (35 km)
Inland heat and traffic; only for the safari park or a specific errand.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Camino Del Mar village
Walk to the plaza, restaurants and the beach stairs; the most expensive and the most convenient.
Jimmy Durante Blvd by the fairgrounds
Chain hotels across from the race track and fairgrounds; best for event weekends, a 25–35 min walk from the beach.
Solana Beach
3 km (1.9 mi) north, has the Amtrak/Coaster station and usually cheaper rooms; walk or rideshare into Del Mar.1.9 mi (3 km) north, has the Amtrak/Coaster station and usually cheaper rooms; walk or rideshare into Del Mar.
East along El Camino Real
Business hotels with parking, 5–10 min drive from the sand; pick this if you have a car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–260 excl. bed
- High
- $260+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$260 | US$520 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$200 | US$800 |
| Rideshare from SAN airport, one way1 × US$65 · check | US$65 |
| Coaster or Amtrak Solana Beach to Oceanside, one way2 × US$6 · check | US$12 |
| Beach parking meter, per hour1 × US$2 · check | US$2 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$144 |
| Trip total≈ US$396 per person per day, bed included | US$1,583 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–7 |
| Casual lunch (taco, sandwich, bowl) | $12–20 |
| Sit-down dinner mainAdd 18–22% tip and sales tax. | $22–45 |
| Draft beer at a bar | $8–12 |
| Rideshare, village to Solana Beach stationcheck | $10–18 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $15–35 |
| County fair or race track admissioncheck; varies by day and event | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- There is no train station in Del Mar: trains call at Solana Beach, about 3 km (1.9 mi) north.There is no train station in Del Mar: trains call at Solana Beach, about 1.9 mi (3 km) north.
- Beach access is by stairs and ramps down the bluffs; the sand narrows at high tide and winter storms move it around.
- Race season and the county fair push room rates up and fill lots: book weeks ahead.
- Coastal fog can sit over the beach until midday in late spring and early summer.
- Prices are shown before sales tax; tipping is expected at sit-down restaurants.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- San Diego County non-emergency
- 858-565-5200
- Poison control (24 h)
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Del MarDel Mar, California
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- San Diego County non-emergency858-565-5200
- Poison control (24 h)1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies in Del Mar; consulates-general are in downtown San Diego, embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- SAN airport to Del Mar village, rideshare: $45–95, 25–40 min (check)
- Solana Beach to Oceanside, Coaster: about $6 one way, about 25 min (check)
- Beach parking meter: about $2 per hour (check)
Say or show
- Where is the beach access? — Where is the beach access?
- Is there parking here? — Is there parking here?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- One ticket, please — One ticket, please
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Thanks, keep the change — Thanks, keep the change
English is the working language; Spanish is widely understood along the coast.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Del Mar. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (fair and race crowds, highest room rates), late May and early September holiday weekends · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for SAN: rideshare and taxi bands by time of day, plus the Solana Beach rail fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: village and plaza, Powerhouse Park and the beach stairs, the fairgrounds and race track, and the El Camino Real hotel strip.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Del Mar Plaza, Powerhouse Park, the fairgrounds, the race track) and eat pages with last orders and closed days.
- Event fixtures for fair and race season so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Del Mar
- officialDel Mar Thoroughbred Club
- officialDel Mar Fairgrounds / San Diego County Fair
- officialNorth County Transit District (NCTD)
- officialAmtrak
- secondaryWikivoyage: Del Mar, revision 5286898 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Del Mar
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