Restaurants

At the upper level of the centrally located Del Mar Plaza, at Camino del Mar and 15th Street, you'll find Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana (tel. 858/755-8876; www.ilfornaio.com), for moderately priced and pleasing Italian cuisine and an enoteca (wine bar) with great ocean views; Pacifica Del Mar (tel. 858/792-0476; www.pacificadelmar.com), which serves outstanding seafood; and classy Flavor Del Mar (tel. 858/755-3663; www.flavordelmar.com), featuring new American cuisine and a lively bar scene. Head west from the plaza on 15th Street, and you'll run into neighborhood favorite Sbicca, 215 15th St. (tel. 858/481-1001; www.sbiccabistro.com), serving modern American cuisine sweetened with great wine deals; right on the beach is Poseidon on the Beach, 1670 Coast Blvd. (tel. 858/755-9345; www.theposeidonrestaurant.com), good for California cuisine and fabulous sunsets.

Join the locals for happy hour at Zel's Del Mar, 1247 Camino del Mar (tel. 858/755-0076; www.zelsdelmar.com), or grab some high-quality, Mediterranean-inspired fare for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch (or take-out) from Prepkitchen, 1201 Camino del Mar (tel. 858/792-7737; www.prepkitchen.com).

The racetrack contingent congregates at Bully's Restaurant, 1404 Camino del Mar (tel. 858/755-1660; www.bullysdelmar.com), for burgers, prime rib, and crab legs. Also near the track, located in the Flower Hill Mall, is Paradise Grille, 2690 Via de la Valle (tel. 858/350-0808; www.paradisegrille.com), a casual-but-sophisticated spot for seasonal California cuisine. And if you're looking for fresh seafood -- and lots of it -- make a beeline to the Del Mar branch of San Diego's popular Fish Market, 640 Via de la Valle (tel. 858/755-2277; www.thefishmarket.com), near the racetrack.