At a glance
Del Mar in five facts
Median sale price
$4.10M
Downtown San Diego
About 20 miles, 25 minutes without traffic
Sorrento Valley
About 10 minutes without traffic
Train
The nearest station is Solana Beach, five minutes north
Schools
Del Mar Union for elementary, San Dieguito Union for middle and high school
Median sale price is from Redfin, all home types, for the three months ending August 2026. Drive times are approximate.
Who it suits
Is Del Mar right for you?
Del Mar suits buyers who want a true village by the ocean, close to the biotech and technology offices of Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley. Many are downsizing from larger homes inland or buying a second home near the sand.
What the homes are like
Lots are small and land is the main cost. Homes range from original beach cottages to modern rebuilds designed around the view. Design review is strict, and remodels take patience. Ocean-front homes in the Beach Colony are among the most expensive in the county.
A perfect Saturday in Del Mar
- A morning hike at Torrey Pines State Reserve
- Lunch in the Village on 15th Street
- Sunset from Powerhouse Park
In our quiz, Del Mar is "The Bluff-Top Sunset Chaser".
Find my matchNeighborhoods
The parts of Del Mar to know
Del Mar neighborhoods
Where buyers look, and what each is like
- Olde Del Mar
- The hillside above the village, with winding streets, mature trees and ocean views.
- The Beach Colony
- Flat, walkable streets north of 15th Street where homes sit steps from the sand.
- Del Mar Heights
- South and east of the village, inside the City of San Diego, with larger lots and mid-century homes.
- Del Mar Mesa
- Newer estate homes on large lots a few miles inland, next to open space.
Before you buy
What surprises newcomers to Del Mar
- The county fair in early summer and the horse-racing season that follows bring heavy traffic near the fairgrounds.
- The rail line runs along the bluff. Some homes hear it and some do not.
- Inventory is very small. Buyers often wait months for the right home, and some sell quietly.
- Short-term rental rules are strict and have changed in recent years. Check them if rental income is part of your plan.
Buying here
How we help you buy in Del Mar
Andrew Luria and Jaime Chambers have reported on San Diego's neighborhoods for decades and know Del Mar well. We tour by video for out-of-town buyers, ask around about homes before they reach the public sites, and get inspection and insurance answers early.
Relocating? See the Moving to San Diego guide, buying at the top of the market, or practice the decisions in The Smart Move.
Del Mar, San Diego
Questions people ask about Del Mar
Is Del Mar a good place to live?
Del Mar is one of the most sought-after addresses in San Diego County. It offers a walkable village, wide beaches, ocean-bluff parks and well-regarded schools, ten minutes from the Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley job centers.
How much does a home cost in Del Mar?
The median sale price in Del Mar was about $4.10 million for the three months ending August 2026. Ocean-front and ocean-view homes sell for much more.
What is Del Mar known for?
Del Mar is known for its beaches, the Del Mar Racetrack and fairgrounds, Torrey Pines State Reserve next door and its small seaside village.
What is the difference between Del Mar and Carmel Valley?
Del Mar is a small coastal city with older homes on small lots. Carmel Valley is a newer planned community a few miles inland, inside the City of San Diego, with larger and newer homes. Some Carmel Valley addresses use the Del Mar name.
Compare
If you like Del Mar, also look at
Solana Beach is small, stylish and easy.
Read the Solana Beach guideAlso considerCarmel ValleyCarmel Valley is the practical choice that happens to be ten minutes from the beach.
Read the Carmel Valley guideAlso considerLa JollaLa Jolla is San Diego's best-known address.
Read the La Jolla guide