Del Mar is a small beach city in northern San Diego County, California, situated on the Pacific Ocean about twenty miles north of downtown San Diego. The 2020 census counted 3,954 residents. The community was established in 1885 as a seaside resort, and it incorporated in 1959 specifically to preserve its small-town feel in the face of coastal development. Del Mar's identity is closely tied to the Del Mar Racetrack, which opened in 1937 and was co-founded by the entertainer Bing Crosby, whose Hollywood connections helped put the town on the map; the San Diego County Fair has had its permanent home at the Del Mar Fairgrounds since 1936. The city's coastline, anchored by Del Mar's main beach and the bluffs of Torrey Pines to the south, offers some of the region's finest swimming, surfing, and walking. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and State Beach, immediately south of the city, protect coastal bluffs, rare Torrey pine trees, and tidepools, while the San Dieguito River meets the sea at the city's northern edge. Del Mar is served by the Del Mar Union School District for elementary grades, with students continuing into the San Dieguito Union High School District. The city's compact downtown village, known as Del Mar Village, clusters shops, restaurants, and services near the water. The city's beaches, fairgrounds, and racetrack sit within a compact area, giving Del Mar a rare blend of seaside calm and seasonal festivity. Its location between Interstate 5 and the coast places residents within easy reach of San Diego's employment centers while maintaining a relaxed, resort-like atmosphere. The result is a coastal community prized for its scenery, walkability, and low-key sophistication.