San Diego family guide
Things to Do in Del Mar with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Del Mar on the map
📍 Where Del Mar is
Del Mar sits in San Diego, Southern California. Nearest major airport: San Diego Intl (~16 mi / 26 km). It's roughly 94 mi (152 km) from Downtown LA and 18 mi (29 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Del Mar
Del Mar Beach & Powerhouse Park
Calm family beach next to a grassy bluff-top park with a playground and ocean views. Powerhouse Park takes its name from a 1928 building that once supplied hot water to the grand Stratford Inn resort; the city bought the property in 1983 and restored the landmark smokestack as a centerpiece of the park. A playground sits at the park's south end, with a community center at the north.
Free; metered parking
Helen Woodward Animal Center
A nonprofit centre where families can meet adoptable animals for free, plus a humane-education program with live animal ambassadors, hands-on feeding and crafts. The paid encounters book out well ahead, especially in summer — reserve rather than turning up hopeful. It's about ten minutes inland from Del Mar.
Free to visit; encounters and camps priced separatelyFamily attractions near Del Mar
The closest kid-friendly attractions in neighboring towns — with driving distance from Del Mar.
La Colonia Park & Skatepark
A neighborhood park at 715 Valley Ave with a playground, a 5,500 sq ft skatepark (opened 2019), a basketball court, a pickleball court and a turf field, next to the La Colonia Community Center. The park also sits in the historic La Colonia de Eden Gardens neighborhood, founded in the 1920s by Mexican farming families.
Free
Seascape Surf Beach
Also called Cherry Hill, reached by a stairway at 501 S Sierra Ave. The city describes it as a wide sandy beach at low tide, good for walking, Frisbee, swimming and body-boarding. There are showers but no restrooms, and no dogs.
Free; free street parking plus a public lot across from the entrance
Solana Beach Coastal Rail Trail
A flat 1.5-mile path beside the train tracks along Highway 101, good for strollers, scooters and little bikes. It has a mosaic entry arch, 11 sea-creature benches, stained-glass art and poetry plaques on the bridge section. The southern start is at Via de la Valle, and the city is working on a northern extension to the Encinitas border.
Free; free 2-hour residential parking one street up from the southern trailheadFletcher Cove Beach & Park
The city's main beach access at the end of Lomas Santa Fe Blvd, with a ramp to the sand, showers, restrooms, picnic tables and a basketball court. It's a short walk from the Solana Beach Amtrak and Coaster station. Dogs aren't allowed and the city bars private events here. The park address is 111 S Sierra Ave.
Free; public parking lot plus free street parkingTide Beach Park (Table Tops tide pools)
Public stairs at Solana Vista and Pacific lead to a big reef known as the Table Tops, with tide pools at the northern end. There are showers but no restrooms, and the city notes leashed dogs are allowed north of the stairs. Check a tide chart first, because the pools only show at low tide.
Free; free street parking only
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Coastal bluff reserve with rare pines and easy trails leading to ocean overlooks and the beach below. The reserve protects the Torrey pine, one of the rarest pine species in North America — found naturally in only two spots on Earth, here and on Santa Rosa Island 175 miles up the coast. San Diego set the land aside as early as 1899, and philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps later donated key groves in 1936 before it became a state reserve. Note: State Parks has closed the reserve road, upper parking lots and trails from September 21, 2026 until about March 1, 2027 for a utility project; Torrey Pines State Beach and its beach-level lots stay open.
Free walk-in; parking ~$15-25Farmers markets in Del Mar
Del Mar Farmers Market
A small seaside-town Saturday market with produce, flowers, and live music near the village.
Festivals & annual events in Del Mar
What Del Mar is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Pumpkin Station at the Del Mar Fairgrounds
A pumpkin patch in the Fairgrounds' East Parking Lot with a swing ride, a Ferris wheel, a train ride and other activities for kids of all ages. Tip: parking and admission are free and only the rides cost extra, so buy a ride package if you have several kids; Fri-Sat hours run until 9pm, which is easier on hot afternoons.
Free parking and admission; rides need a separate ticket
Del Mar Holiday Tree Lighting & Winter Taste & Sip
Del Mar's annual downtown tree lighting at 5pm at the Jim Watkins Amphitheater at L'Auberge Del Mar, with hot chocolate, Santa and the Grinch. The Del Mar Village Association's Winter Taste & Sip runs 1-4pm the same day (photos with Santa at Del Mar Plaza) but is mostly a tasting event. Tip: skip the afternoon tasting with kids and arrive around 4:30pm for the tree lighting.
Tree lighting: no ticket listed; the 1-4pm Winter Taste & Sip is ticketed
Del Mar Fourth of July Parade
A small neighborhood parade of decorated bikes, strollers and wagons along Coast Boulevard at Powerhouse Park, followed by refreshments and a bubblegum-blowing contest.
2026 edition has passed; the city has not yet posted 2027 details
San Diego County Fair
A massive seaside-adjacent fair at Del Mar with carnival rides, animals, free concerts, and family exhibits over 25 days.
Great Train Show (Del Mar)
Model-railroad layouts in operation, scale trains and buildings, collectible toys and dealers in the Exhibit Hall, with workshops on building your own layout. The organizer offers free admission for children. Tip: buy parking online (the Fairgrounds discounts advance parking by about $4) and go right at 10am when the layouts are least crowded.
DroneArt Show: Harry Potter
More than 1,200 drones take flight in the Grandstand set to music from the Harry Potter films. A good pick for school-age kids and up who will stay up past 7pm. Tip: bring a jacket because the coastal Fairgrounds turn cool after dark, and buy parking 24 hours ahead to save $4.
Del Mar Fire Department Open House
A free community open house hosted by the Del Mar Fire Department, listed on the city's Community Calendar. The listing gives no activity list or address (coordinates are Del Mar Town Hall as a placeholder), so expect the usual station tours and engine displays and confirm details with the city. Tip: arrive by 10am with little ones, since open houses get busiest late morning.
Local restaurants in Del Mar
Del Mar Pizza
Family-run village pizzeria since 1989 making thin-crust pies in downtown Del Mar.
Del Mar Liquor & Deli
Family-owned Del Mar counter famous for made-to-order deli sandwiches and standout breakfast burritos.
Beeside Balcony
Relaxed seaside-chic hidden gem serving global Mediterranean fare with ocean views from a covered balcony.
Pacifica Del Mar
Longtime local gem for fresh seafood, steak, and pasta with an award-winning wine list.
Local shops in Del Mar
Urban Girl
Gift shop with a children's section of books, clothing, plush, and Jellycats.
Geppetto's - Del Mar Highlands
The North County branch of the locally owned Geppetto's toy chain, at Del Mar Highlands.
Seasonal & outdoors near Del Mar
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Del Mar.
More San Diego family guides
Del Mar family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Del Mar with kids?
Family favorites in and around Del Mar include Del Mar Beach & Powerhouse Park and Helen Woodward Animal Center. Our guide lists 2 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Del Mar?
Yes — free family spots near Del Mar include Del Mar Beach & Powerhouse Park and Helen Woodward Animal Center. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
Where can families eat in Del Mar?
Local, family-friendly spots in Del Mar include Del Mar Pizza, Del Mar Liquor & Deli, Beeside Balcony and Pacifica Del Mar — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Del Mar guide cover?
Our Del Mar family guide includes 2 things to do, 4 local eats, 2 local shops and 1 farmers market — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Del Mar
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Del Mar on one map — then book on your favorite site.