Del Mar Stories
The Del Mar beach house at 2606 Ocean Front promises “one of the most unique homes on the market” that “just finished a complete rebuild using the finest materials.” According to the listing, there are …
The iconic bronze statue of Don Diego, dressed up in cowboy garb, overlooked the main gate of the San Diego County Fair, as hundreds lined up for opening night on June 2. And like the …
During the Vietnam War, Del Mar resident 1st Lt. Jimmy Mitchell, a member of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, landed at Chu Lai in South Vietnam. On an August 31, 1965 patrol, the Marine from …
For the first time in almost 100 years, the public recently got a look at 16 acres of coastal bluff top, probably the largest piece of undeveloped beachfront property in private ownership in San Diego …
Having Lady Gaga, Jimmy Buffett, and the Rolling Stones drop by for a show may be the Belly Up Tavern’s most visible triumphs. But behind the scenes the booking staff of the Solana Beach venue …
As high tourist season approaches, Del Mar is on edge. What will happen with vacation rentals? Last month, the city council drew a line in the sidewalk, separating homes and commerce. Interpreting the zoning code, …
The county’s grand jury put out two reports in May concerning school boards. One discusses elections and term limits while the other points to inconsistent training of both school board members and superintendents. California is …
Beds: 6 Baths: 8 Current Owner: PDMI LLC (Denver-based developer) Asking Price: $22,500,000 The luxury estate situated at 2160 Balboa Avenue, on a peninsula of land between the San Dieguito River and Pacific Ocean just …
“This year we expect a slow quinceañera season, it’s going to be tough,” said Marco Salcedo from Chula Vista. Salcedo said that there were about 300 visitors at his Quinceañeras Magazine Expo event on Sunday …
“Man I think that lowriders should have their own category here,” said Steve Polen, “they got restomod, 100% original, and others – but not lowrider.” On the first weekend of the month, the Del Mar …
Beds: 6 Baths: 6 Current Owner: Mark Van Oene List Price: $8,800,000 “It’s getting harder to find a property like this,” warn listing materials for the “magnificent Del Mar Craftsman estate” constructed in 1997 at …
Hyok "Steven" Kwon and his wife, Woo Hui "Stephanie" Kwon, were sentenced to prison yesterday (March 15) for concocting and carrying out a complicated scheme to avoid paying workers' compensation insurance premiums and employment taxes …
Beds: 5 Baths: 9 Current Owner: David Batchelder Asking Price: $29,000,000 The bluff-top estate at 100 Stratford Court in Del Mar offers prospective buyers nearly 6000 square feet of living area in a just-completed “coastal …
Several south coast counties restrict wood burning fireplaces, but San Diego isn’t one of them. Not yet. “Although it is not prohibited, wood burning in the home is a growing source of air pollution in …
“A lot has changed from the first time I attended these shows,” said Walter Manongdo on February 4 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. His yellow Nissan race car was posted at the entrance next to …
McDonald’s pulled off a nationwide marketing stunt on January 26, releasing 10,000 bottles of its Big Mac “secret sauce.” The free 11.4-ounce bottles could only be obtained at few undisclosed restaurant locations and by stating …
Excavation for a 369-car, three-story parking structure at the Del Mar Highlands Town Center is in full swing, sending up to 40 semi-trucks daily onto the roadways of North County, according to a construction worker …
Oggi's Pizza & Brewing Co. celebrates its 25th anniversary this month. While the restaurant franchise didn't start making its own beer until 1995, its original pizza restaurant opened in 1991 in Del Mar. The place …
And now for some banjo love: many have tried to make that instrument cool and failed. Danny Barnes, 55, from Temple, Texas, claims to not be affected by the limitations of it. And there are …
It used to be easier to get to the beach in Del Mar, and most residents wish they could turn back the clock. All they want is a convenient way to cross the railroad tracks …
Beds: 5 Baths: 5 Current Owners: Charles & Patricia Zuker List Price: $10,700,000 Welcome to what’s billed as an “extraordinary seaside Villa in Olde Del Mar,” where one can “enjoy spectacular whitewater ocean, sunset, and …
The Del Mar BBQ State Championship brought 47 grillers and smokers from around California (and Arizona) to compete at the racetrack on Sunday, July 17. While a panel of Kansas City Barbeque Society judges did …
The cost of parking where the surf meets the turf (at Del Mar) is going to go up later this year, but the question of how much is still up in the air. The city …
The end of the 26-day San Diego County Fair leaves many participants exhausted, particularly those who operate booths and concession stands. When the lights dim at midnight on July 4, most are packing up, readying …
The Most ideal of Provinces Rancho Santa Fe proposed an alternative plan, which called for preserving Del Dios as a two-lane road and, instead, extending and expanding San Dieguito Road (Route 728) such that it …
San Diego area gas prices jumped 10 to 15 cents per gallon last week, with many stations pushing their cash price for regular gas over the $3.00 threshold. Surprisingly, the oil companies are not offering …
“Nothing says rock ’n’ roll like whipping up the crowd with a bingo game,” quipped Michael McDonald, referring to the pre-show entertainment at his San Diego County Fair appearance. Actually, one might argue that the …
Del Mar residents and government officials gathered in front of city hall on Saturday morning (June 11) to celebrate the impending demolition of the government headquarters. Originally incorporated in 1959, Del Mar purchased its current …
San Diego natives Switchfoot made a triumphant return to the main stage at the San Diego County Fair. Opening night saw the band in fine form as they delivered a tight set of favorites and …
Winners have been announced for the San Diego International Beer Competition, ahead of its June 17–19 festival at Del Mar Fairgrounds. As usual, San Diego breweries defended their home turf with a dominant showing. AleSmith …
On the morning of May 20, a home on Nolbey Street in Cardiff by the Sea was the second home burglarized on the same street in the past two weeks. Combined with an increase of …
Coronado businessman Courtland Gettel and Arizona lawyer Jeffrey Greenberg pleaded guilty this week to pulling off a real estate scam that took in $30 million. They took out big loans against expensive homes in La …
Beginning in the mid 20th Century, surfing culture was its music, clothing, and language. For decades, the boards were pretty much the same; the main difference being the long board and the short board. Hobie, …
If you’re dining on a patio somewhere, one good way to tell you’re in Del Mar is when multiple impeccably groomed, toy-sized dogs discretely nibble bits of sushi from the manicured fingers of their doting …
Residents of Encinitas, Del Mar, and Solana Beach may soon see a different name on the side of their fire trucks. The combined department’s name change is part of a management agreement reached a few …
We inlanders (who are at least a 15-minute drive to the coastline) can get caught up in our day to day and forget the sparkling majesty that lies just beyond the concrete horizon. Every once …
Some of the most attractive perks are found outside the main residence.
Mission Beach coffee roaster Swell Café has experienced massive growth in the past four months. For one thing, it might no longer be right to call it a Mission Beach roaster. While its original café …
I’m not a purist when it comes to pizza toppings. I do love a simple pepperoni thin crust, but I’ve got no problem throwing down some broccoli, corn, buffalo sauce, and, yeah, even pineapple. So …
Bird watching and scenic views of seasonal ponds are highlights.
In September of 2012, Kevin James O'Rourke of Del Mar's Pacific Capital Management was sanctioned by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for putting investors in a San Diego software firm without informing those investors …
Opening its second annual five-week-long Bing Crosby season, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on October 29 welcomed over 6000 fans — nowhere near the summer crowds of the regular meet, but lower attendance was reputedly …
With large “Store Closing” banners draped across the front of the La Costa Haggen Food and Drug, advertising 10 to 30 percent off, the much storied four-month expansion to bankruptcy of the Washington based-chain may …
Around 40 kids, teenagers, and parents showed up to the Del Mar Fairgrounds parking lot on September 12 to participate in “Surf the Pavement – A Resurrection of Style.” The event was held to celebrate …
Like La Jolla tennis instructor Rob Hagey whose love of music led him to launch the San Diego Street Scene (1984–2009) as a music industry outsider, Kaaboo creator Bryan Gordon drops into the concert business …
Along 20 miles of coastline between Del Mar and Oceanside you can find food aimed at surfers, yogis, young families, and millionaires. Del Mar and Solana Beach give fine dining spectacular views, Carlsbad embraces the …
It was announced August 25 that Del Mar’s own winning jockey, Victor Espinoza, will appear on ABC’s 21st season of Dancing with the Stars. It was Espinoza who rode American Pharaoh in the three races …
Even though there’s a one-in-ten chance of winning $1,000,000 on August 22, the ten owners of horses entered into the Pacific Classic at Del Mar had to wait on August 19 for the drawing for …
In an elite atmosphere, bohemia gathered. On a recent Friday at the Del Mar Racetrack the unlikely mélange of horseracing and the anti-fascist world music of Thievery Corporation created a temporal space in which one …
At the Del Mar track, there is a way to lose your money scientifically, rather than the way most of us do. So says Frank Scatoni, every day. Scatoni is a handicapper for the Thoroughbred …
Highlighted by a new dirt track and Caitlyn Jenner’s appearance, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club started its 76th meet on July 16 with a reported 45,000+ fans in attendance, many wearing big hats, tight dresses, …
Opening Day 2015 at the Del Mar Racetrack had it all: high-stepping pageantry, fierce competition, desperate gambles, brutal jockeying for position, and the mysterious combination of effortless grace and hard-won physical excellence that is the …