Le List: Del Mar
A curated insider's guide to the best restaurants, gelato, beaches, and neighborhood gems in Del Mar, California. Compiled by a San Diego native with an eye for the exceptional. Del Mar is one of San Diego's most coveted coastal communities — a rare combination of walkable village, world-class dining, and some of the most sought-after real estate in Southern California. Whether you are relocating to Del Mar, spending a weekend on the coast, or simply looking for your next favorite spot, this is your guide to the best Del Mar has to offer.
Restaurants
Nick's – One Paseo, Del Mar Nick's is a classic Del Mar spot serving elevated American fare in a polished, sunny space. From hearty brunches to dinner favorites, it's a reliable go-to for locals looking for quality, approachable cuisine.
South of Nick's – One Paseo, Del Mar The playful sister concept, South of Nick's, leans into bold, California-Mexican flavors with fresh seafood, tacos, and inventive cocktails. Casual, vibrant, and fun — perfect for a weekend lunch or dinner with friends.
Monarch Ocean Pub – 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar One of Del Mar's most beloved spots right now, and for good reason. Monarch sits above the ocean with an indoor-outdoor terrace that makes every visit feel like a celebration. The menu is California coastal done right — think lobster and shrimp sliders, fresh ceviche, and Parker House rolls with black-garlic truffle butter. Come for the food, stay for the sunset toast. Their nightly community cheers to the view is one of those only-in-Del-Mar moments that never gets old.
Understory – 12841 El Camino Real, Del Mar Understory brings a lush, modern design and a menu of elevated, seasonal dishes to Del Mar's dining scene. Think fresh seafood, creative small plates, and a vibrant cocktail program in a bright, approachable setting.
Parakeet Café – 3745 Paseo Place, Suite 820, Del Mar This local favorite offers breakfast, brunch, and light lunch bites with a focus on fresh, California-inspired ingredients. Sunny interiors and outdoor seating make it a perfect stop for a casual morning or mid-day meal.
Jake's Del Mar – 1660 Coast Boulevard, Del Mar Overlooking the ocean, Jake's pairs elevated coastal cuisine with unbeatable sunset views. Seafood-forward plates and polished service make it a classic destination for dinner with a view.
Sbicca – 269 15th Street, Del Mar Sbicca offers a contemporary take on American cuisine with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a bright, modern atmosphere. Perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner in the heart of Del Mar.
Pacifica Del Mar – 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar With a focus on fresh seafood and coastal cuisine, Pacifica delivers polished, approachable dishes in a bright, elegant space. Ideal for date night or a special weekend outing.
Stratford Cafe – 1307 Stratford Ct, Del Mar Best for breakfast and brunch. It blends classic American fare with thoughtful seasonal touches in a stylish yet relaxed setting. A neighborhood favorite for a quick bite.
Sweets & Treats
An's Hatmakers Gelato – 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar The best gelato in Del Mar, full stop. An's is known for rotating weekly flavors that are inventive, beautifully made, and unlike anything you'll find elsewhere — think brown butter chocolate chip, pistachio, and seasonal creations that keep locals coming back. The staff will walk you through every flavor and let you taste before you choose. A must after dinner at Del Mar Plaza.
Salt & Straw – One Paseo, 3705 Caminito Court, Del Mar Salt & Straw brings its cult-favorite, small-batch ice creams to Del Mar with inventive flavors and seasonal creations. Ideal for a sweet afternoon treat after a stroll along the coast. My personal favorite is the Salted Malted Chocolate Chip.
Beaches
Del Mar City Beach Del Mar's main beach stretches for about a mile and a half of wide, beautiful sand with the iconic San Dieguito Lagoon at the north end. It's consistently one of the most stunning beaches in Southern California — uncrowded by local standards, clean, and lined by the bluffs that make this stretch of coastline so unmistakably Del Mar.
Dog Beach Del Mar North of the river mouth, Del Mar is one of the very few places in San Diego County where dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach. If you have a dog, this is a non-negotiable stop. The energy is joyful, the views are gorgeous, and the community feel is pure Del Mar.
Torrey Pines State Beach Just south of Del Mar, Torrey Pines State Beach sits beneath the dramatic sandstone cliffs of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. It's one of the most visually striking beaches in all of California. Walk the shore and look up — the cliffs are breathtaking, and the rare Torrey Pines trees above are found almost nowhere else on earth.
Things to Do
Del Mar Racetrack – 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar "Where the turf meets the surf." The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is one of the most iconic summer traditions in Southern California, running from late July through early September. Even if horse racing isn't your thing, the scene — the fashion, the energy, the setting — is worth experiencing at least once.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve One of the most spectacular hiking destinations in San Diego County. The reserve offers miles of trails through rare coastal sage scrub and pine forest with sweeping Pacific views. The Guy Fleming Trail is the most accessible and rewarding for first-timers. Free to hike, nominal parking fee on weekends.
Del Mar Farmers Market – Camino Del Mar & 10th Street Every Saturday morning, Del Mar's farmers market brings together local produce, artisan goods, and the easy, unhurried pace that makes this village so livable. A beloved weekly ritual for residents and a perfect introduction to the neighborhood for anyone considering a move.
Living in Del Mar
Del Mar is one of the few places in Southern California that has managed to stay exactly what it always was. A small, unhurried coastal village with exceptional homes, a world-class racetrack, and a blufftop setting that makes the Pacific feel like a personal amenity. It has not been overdeveloped. It has not been overrun. And the people who live here intend to keep it that way.
The community is defined by its intimacy. Del Mar's population hovers around 4,000 permanent residents, which means the farmers market on Saturday morning is genuinely a neighborhood event, not a tourist attraction. The stretch of 15th Street down to the beach anchors the social life of the village. Seagrove Park sits at the edge of the bluffs and belongs to everyone. And the homes above the beach, whether they are mid-century classics, contemporary rebuilds, or Spanish revival estates, carry a quiet prestige that does not need to be announced.
What draws buyers to Del Mar is not one feature. It is the totality of the experience. A three-minute walk to the beach. Award-winning Del Mar Union schools. Privacy without isolation. And a sense that this particular stretch of the California coast has been preserved in a way that very few others have.
Del Mar Real Estate in 2026
Del Mar is one of the most expensive real estate markets on the North County coast, and the data from 2026 confirms that its pricing power is not just holding, it is growing. The year to date median sale price for single family homes in the 92014 zip code reached $3,900,000 as of May 2026, up 23% from the same period last year. In May alone, the median climbed to $4,050,000, reflecting the kind of high conviction transactions that define this market.
What makes Del Mar distinct from neighboring coastal communities is its tempo. With months of supply at 4.5 and homes averaging 46 days on market year to date, this is not a market defined by urgency and overbidding. It is a market defined by precision. Buyers here are deliberate. They know what they want, they have the means to act, and they move when the right property appears at the right price. Sellers who understand this dynamic price thoughtfully from the start. Those who do not tend to find their homes sitting while better-positioned listings close around them.
Demand is quietly building. Pending sales are up more than 30% year to date even as new listings have declined, which means the pool of available homes is shrinking relative to buyer interest. For sellers who have been watching and waiting, that shift in momentum is worth paying attention to.
Homes in Del Mar sell at an average of 96% of original list price, which reflects a market where negotiation exists but is bounded. The gap between a well-priced home and an aspirationally priced one is wider here than in most markets, and getting that number right at the outset is one of the most consequential decisions a seller makes.
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Del Mar?
I am Mara Mehdy, a luxury real estate advisor with Compass serving Del Mar, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, Carlsbad, and the broader North County San Diego coast. Del Mar is a market where relationships, local knowledge, and access to off-market opportunities matter as much as anything else. If you are considering a purchase in Del Mar or evaluating what your home is worth in one of the most sought-after coastal markets in California, I would love to connect.
Call or text me at 858.480.9948 or Connect with me here to explore what's available.