Getting There -- Del Mar is only 18 miles north of downtown San Diego, Carlsbad about 33 miles, and Oceanside approximately 36 miles. If you're driving, follow I-5 north; Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Oceanside all have freeway exits. The northernmost point, Oceanside, will take about 45 minutes. The other choice by car is to wander up the old coast road, known as Camino del Mar, "PCH" (Pacific Coast Hwy.), Old Highway 101, and County Highway S21.
From San Diego, the Coaster commuter train provides service to Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Oceanside, and Amtrak stops in Solana Beach -- just a few minutes north of Del Mar -- and Oceanside. The Coaster makes the trip a number of times (6:30am-7pm) on weekdays, four times on Saturday; Amtrak passes through about 11 times daily each way. Call tel. 619/685-4900 for transit information or check with Amtrak at tel. 800/872-7245 or www.amtrak.com. United Express and America West Express fly into the McClellan Palomar Airport, 3 miles east of I-5 in Carlsbad.
Visitor Information -- The San Diego North Convention and Visitors Bureau, based in Escondido (tel. 800/848-3336 or 760/745-4741; www.sandiegonorth.com), can answer your questions about North County as well as the Anza-Borrego desert.
Essentials -- For more information about Del Mar, contact or visit the Del Mar Regional Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center, 1104 Camino del Mar, Del Mar (tel. 858/755-4844; www.delmarchamber.org), which also distributes a detailed folding map of the area. The hours of operation vary according to volunteer staffing, but usually approximate weekday business hours. There's also a city-run website at www.delmar.ca.us.
