North Coast

Del Mar

Del Mar’s celebrity status began more than 70 years ago, when the oceanside paradise became home of the Del Mar Racetrack (2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.). Actors Bing Crosby and Pat O’Brien helped establish the track—and its track record for hosting the Hollywood elite at the Thoroughbred Club. Ava Gardner, W.C. Fields, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Jimmy Durante and Mickey Rooney were among the regulars in the late 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. Today, the racing season runs from mid-July to early September, but exciting events are held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds year-round.

Jimmy Durante Boulevard—named for the famous entertainer who lived in Del Mar—paves the way from the track to the heart of the village. The intersection of Camino del Mar and 15th Street forms Del Mar’s center. The three-story Del Mar Plaza has scenic fountains and sweeping ocean views, plus upscale shops like clothing boutiques Gerhard and Peaches en Regalia; Loghman Jewelers, with Italian jewelry and watches; and chains like Banana Republic and Sunglass Hut.

There’s more retail along Del Mar’s main street, Camino del Mar, and the area can easily be covered on foot. The shopping district is lined with shops including Carolyn’s (1310 Camino del Mar), with designer resale, plus several casual cafés and eateries.

More great shopping is a short drive away. East of the Fairgrounds, off I-5 on Via de la Valle, is Flower Hill Promenade (2720 Via de la Valle), where shops include women’s boutique Coconut Lime, men’s clothier Patrick James and Dallman Chocolate Boutique.

At the end of the day, walk to Seagrove Park (Coast Blvd. at 15th St.) to enjoy a brilliant sunset. From the hush of the surf you can almost hear the echo of Bing Crosby, singing the jingle he wrote in honor of the track: Where the turf meets the surf, down at old Del Mar…

Solana Beach

Solana Beach is home to some of the most chic stores in San Diego County. The Cedros Design District begins at South Cedros Avenue and Lomas Santa Fe Drive, easily accessible by The Coaster, the train that runs from downtown San Diego to Oceanside.

More than 50 shops spanning a quarter-mile feature fashion, home furnishings and antiques. Most of the boutiques on South Cedros are housed in renovated Quonset huts (iron warehouses shaped like a half-cylinder), giving this neighborhood an artistic feel.

Fuel up for your walking tour of the neighborhood at Claire’s (246 N. Cedros Ave.), across from the train station. It’s the kind of eco-conscious place that provides preferred parking for electric and hybrid cars. Then pop in to Tobi Blatt (152 N. Cedros Ave.), with women’s clothing from labels like True Religion.

Cross Lomas Santa Fe to explore South Cedros: We love Cedros Soles (143 S. Cedros Ave.) for the latest footwear; HIS (111 S. Cedros Ave. #200), a store geared towards the style-minded guy; and Bixby & Ball (214 S. Cedros Ave.), with linens, home décor items and other coastal-lifestyle accessories. Linger long enough to smell the sweet aromas springing from Mistral (146 S. Cedros Ave.), a small bungalow with soaps and lotions imported from France.

Farther down the street you’ll find hip home décor and art books at Solo (309 S. Cedros Ave.), the Susan Street Fine Art contemporary art gallery (200 N. Cedros Ave.) and Curve Couture, a trendy plus-size clothing boutique (415 S. Cedros Ave.).

Nestled among the retail shops is one of the county’s top live music venues: The Belly Up Tavern (see p. 65), a Solana Beach landmark for more than 35 years.

Encinitas and Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Heading north on 101 from Solana Beach, you’ll pass through the small surf community of Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Be sure to get a picture with the Cardiff “kook,” the sculpture of a surfer that locals have fondly ridiculed for years. Officially named The Magic Carpet Ride, the statue is often dressed up in outrageous outfits (military fatigues, a toga, a bikini) by anonymous midnight marauders.

As you continue north approaching downtown Encinitas, you’ll see a unique silhouette among the palm trees. The Self-Realization Fellowship Retreat and Hermitage (215 K St.), with its lotus blossom–shaped towers, dates back to 1937. A portion of the grounds is open free to the public. A stroll through the lush, cliffside gardens offers views of surfers at nearby Swami’s Beach (1298 S. Coast Hwy. 101), a popular break for longboarders.

Up the road, The Lumberyard’s two-dozen-odd shops include stylish clothier Mog & Rue, modern home-and-garden store Grounded and Chuao Chocolatier, whose gourmet sweets are made from the finest Venezuelan chocolate. There’s also an array of wine bars, eateries and cafés, many with outdoor seating (937 S. Coast Hwy. 101).

In the center of downtown, the historic La Paloma Theatre (471 S. Coast Hwy. 101) has anchored the district since the 1920s and still hosts films and concerts. Boutiques and restaurants also line the strip. The new Pacific Station complex boasts a Whole Foods; Icons boutique, with denim and tees; and Bliss 101, an art/home/body shop run by a collective of artisans devoted to the principles of fair trade (687 S. Coast Hwy. 101).

North Coast Highway 101 runs through sleepy Leucadia, where it’s easy to speed right by gems like Lou’s Records (434 N. Coast Hwy. 101), with its selection of hip LPs and CDs, and Ducky Waddles Emporium (414 N. Coast Hwy. 101), with its excellent collection of books on all things arty or bawdy.

A great cluster of shops is found at The Gold Coast (466 N. Coast Hwy. 101), whose tenants include deepFling, with silver jewelry from Scandinavian designers, and stylish children’s boutique Daisy Bee.

A short drive inland leads to San Diego Botanic Garden, a 35-acre treasure showcasing more than 3,000 rare and exotic plants.

Carlsbad

Downtown Carlsbad is a picturesque seaside village with tree-lined roads, restaurants and boutique shopping. Along Carlsbad Village Drive, the main drag, you’ll find two local landmarks: Ocean House (300 Carlsbad Village Drive), a restaurant and nighttime hot spot that boasts beautiful Victorian architecture, and nearby Frazier’s Well (2802 Carlsbad Blvd.), where sea captain John Frazier discovered mineral water in 1882.

Next to Ocean House is Carlsbad Village Faire, a shopping center home to several casual eateries and shops. Retail on nearby State Street includes antique stores and shops like Fairen Del (2940 State St.), with an assortment of fine leather goods, shoes, handbags and jewelry.

A short drive east of the freeway on Palomar Airport Road leads to great outlet shopping at Carlsbad Premium Outlets, with brand-name stores like BCBG, Kenneth Cole and Michael Kors.

Continuing on Palomar Airport Road from the outlets will lead you to another cluster of attractions. LegoLand is 128 acres of kid-friendly entertainment that includes a new Sea Life Aquarium. Nearby, the Museum of Making Music is filled with musical memorabilia. La Costa Resort and Spa (2100 Costa del Mar Road) is home to the Chopra Center for Well Being, with spa therapies and wellness programs created by holistic specialist Deepak Chopra. Two miles south of La Costa is The Forum, an outdoor, Spanish-style mall whose shops include Tilly’s surf shop,Anthropologie and organic skincare shop NuboNau.

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