California Maps

Posts Tagged ‘Del Mar California’

In the late 1930’s, famous movie star and singer Bing Crosby set out to follow his dream of building a horse track at Del Mar in the cool Pacific Ocean breezes. Bing wanted a club where he and his friends could bet the horses all day and party all night. Thus was the Del Mar Horse Track born and built.

When the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and race track opened, Bing himself took tickets at the gate and welcomed race fans to what was to become one of the most famous race tracks in the United States, visited by race fans, horse owners and sports enthusiasts from all over the world.

In August of 1938, the famous-to-this-day race that put Del Mar on the map took place – the match between Seabiscuit and Ligaroti. Remember, this was a time when only baseball was more popular than horse racing in the American sports psyche. The race was major front page news in the sports sections of major daily newspapers all across the country. Seabiscuit won this hugely important race in front of a record crowd. The Del Mar Race Track went on to become one of the most famous racetracks in the world.

The following years brought even more stars and celebrities to Del Mar and the race track: Red Skelton, Douglas Fairbanks, Lucy Ball, Desi Arnaz (”Lucy, you some ’splainin to do!”) and Ava Gardner. The track was also frequented by Joe Frisco, a softly stuttering comic of the day, who would relate his success at “Bing’s” racetrack thusly: “I came by the racetrack yesterday but it was closed, so I just sh-shoved the money under the front gate.”

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Del Mar was closed for the duration of the war. The fairgrounds were initially used as a U.S. Marine training facility, then altered again and used to produce parts for the B-17 bombers that helped win the war. When the war ended, President Truman declared August 15, 1945 a national day of celebration. More than 20,300 horse racing fans showed up at the Del Mar track and bet an enormous (in those days) one million dollars.

Shortly thereafter the railroad started a special promotion. The “railroad/racetrack special” brought race patrons from Los Angeles to Del Mar. Meeting the train and “star watching” became popular sport for track patrons and locals. Today, more than 70 years (and nearly $60,000,000 in improvements) later, the racing season will once again begin on July 22, 2009 through September 9.

If you visit Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Jolla or Del Mar or one of the other lovely surfing towns along the coast of San Diego county, here are some resources to help you find wonderful accommodations : Del Mar Bed and Breakfasts, Carlsbad B&B and Del Mar hotel.

By: Terry Hunefeld

Stretching north for 20 miles along the Pacific coast line of San Diego are five quaint beach towns – Solana Beach, Encinitas, Cardiff-By-The-Sea, Carlsbad and Del Mar – all with refreshing ocean breezes.  These beach towns each have their own personality, and each boasts delightful hotels, resorts and inns, incredible restaurants and stunning beaches.

Perhaps the most stylish or “chic” beach community north of San Diego is Del Mar.  While those of us who live here regard all of San Diego as “paradise,” the Del Mar is considered even more heavenly.

Del Mar has a very long record of celebrities living and playing here due to the Del Mar horse racing track built under the guidance and inspiration of Jimmy Durante and Bing Crosby nearly 70 years ago.  Their Hollywood star-power put the Del Mar Horse Race Track on the map as one of the most ritzy and prominent associations in the racing world. The Del Mar horse track brought a steady steam of well-known Los Angeles and New York celebrities to the Del Mar hotels and motels, and dozens of Del Mar inns and resorts prospered as a result.

Del Mar hotels and lodging accommodations are wonderful, albeit expensive. One of the most romantic Del Mar hotels is located near the shores of the Pacific Ocean: the timeless L’Auberge Del Mar, a time-honored California coastal resort that, as they say, “Celebrates the special connection we all have with the tranquility, comfort and relaxation of the sea.”

Ranked among the best luxury resorts in the country by Cond Nast, L’Auberge Del Mar hotel brings together panoramic coastal views, casual elegance and personalized service to create an outstanding romantic weekend getaway at a Del Mar resort.

The San Diego County Fair comes to the Del Mar Fairgrounds each summer. We locals call it the Del Mar Fair – in fact, nobody I know every call it the San Diego County Fair. The location is perfect — just a few blocks from the cooling breezes from the Pacific Ocean on hot summer days. If you’re coming to the fair, be sure to check your reservations well in advance at any of the Del Mar Ca Hotels or Del Mar Inns.

Of all the Del Mar bed and breakfasts and Del Mar hotels, the only one that is quaint, romantic and close to the beach for under $200 a night is Ann Dunham’s Del Mar Bed and Breakfast located on Moonlight Beach just a few miles along the coast from Del Mar. Visit: http://www.innatmoonlightbeach.com/delmar.html

Del Mar California is one of few locations in the world where the Torrey Pine grows. The Torrey Pine is the one of the rarest pine trees in the United States – the Monterey cypress is rarer, but it’s not technically a pine tree. The Torrey pines along the sea cliffs of Del Mar endure persistent drought and grow in hard sand which can hardly be called “soil”. They are blasted by storms, soaked in salt spay and cooked in the sun, but they live stubbornly on.

By: Terry Hunefeld