Del Mar, California

Del Mar is the kind of place where you lower your blood pressure on your morning walk on the beach and then raise it again – but in a fun way – cheering a horse race in the afternoon. It is highly coveted by beach lovers and families alike, receiving an “A+” from Niche.com for the Public Schools.

Let’s start with how people “get away from it all” in Del Mar. The neighborhoods feel secluded and serene. The ocean is often a walkable distance from your front door and even if it’s not, the hilly terrain of the city means houses have a better chance of scoring that ocean view. It’s a small, tight-knit community. You’re going to know your neighbors, and you’re going to see them out and about like you would living in a small town. You can destress in a million ways: watch for dolphins playing in the waves, enjoy the surf at 15th Street Beach, or hike the trails in the nearby nature reserve.

Now, if you’re looking for something to do, and for an attraction big enough to bring your friends from all over, Del Mar has that too. When the summer months welcome an influx of visitors interested in everything from the pristine beaches to your town’s cultural events, you’ll feel like where you live is “the place to be.” The Del Mar Race Track, an iconic horse track, attracts fans from around the world. The Del Mar Fairgrounds hosts everything from the San Diego County Fair to holiday festivals to wild rides to live music concerts.

And if having all this at your fingertips isn’t enough, you’ve got downtown San Diego and the airport not too far away either. If you like Del Mar but want slightly fewer crowd-attracting events, check out our post on Solana Beach, which borders Del Mar to the north.

The people of Del Mar chose to live here because it has a bit of everything: cozy coastal community meets high-end amenities meets family-friendly atmosphere meets iconic cultural attractions. It’s the kind of place where you find your center while walking your dog at North Beach, then lose your balance a bit after a few drinks at Monarch’s rooftop bar in the downtown area. The only people who feel like there isn’t quite enough to do are the young professionals looking for an abundance of nightlife options, whereas Del Mar residents prefer things a little more subdued.

There’s an even split between renters and homeowners in Del Mar. With a distinct and varied housing market, residents can find everything from a $1.8 million fixer-upper condo to a $10+ million oceanfront oasis. Median sales prices for single-family homes hover around $2.9 million.

For most, the prices are worth it. One way to look at it is residents are paying for ‘connection.’ Connection to nature via the incredible beaches, parks and nearby nature reserve – only made more accessible by the year-round 60’s-70’s temps. Connection to culture via the high-end artisanal shops, art galleries and annual festivals. And, not to sound too cheesy, but also connection with one another via community building events like the local farmer’s market, beach cleanups and neighborhood gatherings.

The Del Mar Union School District and the San Dieguito Union High School District offer families an array of top-rated schools to choose from. The former consists of eight K-6 schools. In conjunction with schools in the Solana Beach School District, the Del Mar Union elementary schools typically feed into Carmel Valley Middle School, followed by Torrey Pines High School or Canyon Crest Academy. Well regarded for its high standardized test scores, these districts are top performers in San Diego County. The high degree of academic excellence they inspire mixed with the warm, welcoming and tight-knit community of Del Mar make this city a popular place to raise a family.

Beyond public offerings, families will also find satisfactory private schooling options. Within city limits, Del Mar Pines School offers a private alternative to the eight public K-6 schools, and beyond, La Jolla Country Day School, The Cambridge School and The Grauer School are just a few of the most popular offerings in neighboring cities.