Oct
29
Del Mar – Where Bing Crosby and Lucille Ball Played
October 29, 2009 | Leave a Comment
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 “of the sea” because it is located right on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. It’s lauded by travel critics as one of the most beautiful and delicious resort beach towns in the world. Here you will find delightful lagoons, five-star restaurants, romantic bed and breakfast inns, scenic jogging trails, myriad vacation options, sandy beaches and a one-of-a-kind horse racing track
Del Mar has been home to celebrities ever since the 1940’s when Bing Crosby, Pat O’Brien and Jimmy Durante helped turn the Del Mar Race Track Thoroughbred Club into one of the most beautiful and prestigious organizations in the entire racing world. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez were regulars at the track in those days, and Burt Bacharach and Angie Dickenson also had residences in Del Mar. Brad Pitt purchased a home here recently – an $18 million dollar beachfront home – so now Brad Pitt sightings are the new sport in 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 one of few locations in the world where the Torrey Pine grows. The Torrey Pine is the rarest pine in the United States and only two populations of this endangered species exist.
The San Diego County Fair is hosted on the Del Mar Fairgrounds every summer, opening on a 184 acre site in the San Dieguito Valley in 1936. It was determined to be the perfect spot because it was just off the main highways and would be easily accessible – while being near the ocean’s cooling factor on hot summer days. Selection of a queen – the Fairest of the Fair – is a highlight of this annual event.
Bing Crosby took a leading role in helping make the now-world-famous Del Mar Race Track a reality. On July 3, 1937, the Del Mar Race Track opened. Newspapers called the track “Bing’s Baby”. In 1938 Bing recorded a song that would open and close every day of racing since those early days – Where The Turf Meets the Surf.
Terry Hunefeld retired as a corporate executive in 2007 to spend more time at sea. He now volunteers his time on the board of directors of a local Audubon Society and leads charter voyages to sea to observe and count seabirds and marine mammals. For more info, click San Diego B&Bs or Encinitas Beach Hotels.
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