North Coast

LIFE’S A BEACH IN NORTH COUNTY’S VIBRANT (AND COVETED) COASTAL COMMUNITIES

Del Mar’s celebrity status began 85 years ago, when the oceanside paradise became the home of the Del Mar Racetrack (2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.). Bing Crosby and Pat O’Brien established the track and hosted 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 main racing season runs from mid-July to September; and events are held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds year-round.

Jimmy Durante Boulevard—named for the legendary entertainer who lived in Del Mar—paves the way from the track to the heart of the village, centered by Camino del Mar and 15th Street. Del Mar Plaza offers ocean views, dining and upscale shops such as Sea Biscuit Del Mar (1555 Camino Del Mar, #318), stocking apparel and gifts; and CoCo Rose (1555 Camino Del Mar, #325), carrying resort wear from Bali. Find more shops at Flower Hill Promenade (2720 Via de la Valle); and One Paseo (3745 Paseo Place), home to dozens of retailers.

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 the ‘hood an artistic feel.

Along north Cedros, Susan Street Fine Art (200 N. Cedros Ave.) is a contemporary art gallery, open by appointment only.

Cross Lomas Santa Fe to explore South Cedros. We love Cedros Soles (143 S. Cedros Ave.) for footwear; HIS (also at 143

S. Cedros Ave.), geared toward the style-minded guy with trendy clothing and accessories; Bixby & Ball (214 S. Cedros Ave.), with linens, home decor items and other coastal lifestyle accessories; and chic women’s clothier Satori Designs (435 S. Cedros Ave., #103). Stop to smile at dogs and their humans at Muttropolis (227 S. Cedros Ave.), which sells premium pet supplies. Find hip home decor and art books at SoLo (309 S. Cedros Ave.) And check out the Solana Beach Farmers Market (444 S. Cedros Ave.) held every Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Solana Beach’s landmark concert hall of 47 years, the Belly Up (143 S. Cedros Ave.), hosts regional rock bands, nationally headlining musicians and more.

Heading north on the 101 from Solana Beach, you’ll pass through the surf community of Cardiff-bythe-Sea. Be sure to take a picture with the infamous “Cardiff Kook” sculpture. The Self-Realization Fellowship Retreat and Ashram Center (215 K St.), with its lotus blossom–shaped towers, dates back to 1937. A portion of the grounds is open and 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. Stock up on gear at Hansen Surfboards (1105 S. Coast Hwy. 101). Up the road at The

Lumberyard (967 S. Coast Hwy. 101), find shops, wine bars and cafes.

In downtown Encinitas, La Paloma Theatre (471 S. Coast Hwy. 101) has anchored the district since the 1920s and still hosts concerts and independent films. Shops and restaurants also line the strip.

North Coast Highway 101 runs through sleepy Leucadia, where it’s easy to fly right by gems such as Lou’s Records (434 N. Coast Hwy. 101), with its selection of hip LPs and CDs; and Leucadia Cyclery (823 N. Vulcan Ave.), a quaint bike shop.

A cluster of shops is found at the Gold Coast Mall (466 N. Coast Hwy. 101), whose tenants include Cielo hair salon and boutique. A short drive inland leads to San Diego Botanic Garden (230 Quail Gardens Drive), with 3,000 rare plants and 37 acres of gardens.

Downtown Carlsbad is a picturesque seaside city. Along Carlsbad Village Drive, you’ll find Frazier’s Well (2802 Carlsbad Blvd.), where sea captain John Frazier discovered mineral water back in 1882. Nearby is Carlsbad Village Faire (300 Carlsbad Village Drive), home to casual eateries and shops. Retail on nearby State Street includes antique stores and shops like Mulloys Fine Jewelry (2978 State St.), known for its engagement rings.

Go east on Palomar Airport Road for shopping at Carlsbad Premium Outlets; and check out Colonial Era artifacts at Green Dragon Museum. And of course, there’s popular attraction Legoland—128 acres of kid-friendly entertainment. Stop to fuel up at Windmill Food Hall (890 Palomar Airport Road). Nearby, the newly renovated Museum of Making Music (5790 Armada Drive) is filled with musical memorabilia. Omni La Costa Resort and Spa (2100 Costa Del Mar Road) is home to the Chopra Center for well-being. South of La Costa is The Forum Carlsbad, an outdoor, Spanish-style shopping mall with high-end retailers.