Del Mar in Fall

Del Mar

Fall into Picturesque Del Mar
Story and photographs by Greg Aragon

here is a spot in Del Mar, where an old train bridge meets the beach and crosses over rocky cliffs and a dusty trail lined with flowers and coastal vegetation. It is a spot any photographer would cherish. I discovered this magical vista and much more on a recent getaway to the Southern California seaside paradise.

trail lined with coastal plants with a bridge in the background along a beach in Del Mar
Del Mar is a seaside paradise and a photographers dream

My Fall adventure began when a friend and I pulled into Hotel Indigo Del Mar, a luxurious boutique resort set on the beach. Here we checked into a beautiful ocean-front suite with a hip, studio beach apartment vibe. Like the entire property, the room featured contemporary decor with hardwood floors, beach themed murals on the walls, California-inspired art and granite counters.

The room came with a king bed, sleeper sofa, large flat-screen TV, free wireless Internet, comfortable bathroom, and a kitchen area with microwave, mini-fridge, sink and stove, and a granite bar. The suite also boasted a large surfing mural on the living room wall, and a balcony with a table and chairs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the hotel pool.

Hotel Indigo signage, Del Mar
Hotel Indigo is a luxurious boutique resort set on the beach

The ocean was so alluring that once unpacked we drove about a mile and parked along the side of the road and walked to Del Mar Beach, which Time Magazine recently ranked as one of the "100 Greatest Beaches in the World." To get to the water, we followed a dirt trail bounded by rocky cliffs overlooking the ocean.

wooden eagle carved from a tree on a Del Mar beach trail
A giant wooden eagle greets visitors on the Del Mar beach trail

As we followed the path down to the water, we pass a giant wooden eagle sculpture carved into a tree. The bird was looking out over the cliffs of Del Mar and the Pacific Ocean. Continuing on we came to North Torrey Pines Bridge, a majestic concrete structure stretching over the rustic trail, against a backdrop of rolling hills and lush canyons, beach and ocean. This spot is beautiful, but if the sky is right, and you wait for an Amtrak train to pass under the bridge, you can get a picture to truly remember.

North Torrey Pines Bridge and beach
Del Mar Beach is always peaceful and beautiful

After admiring the bridge scene, we made our way to the beach, laid out our blanket and relaxed for a couple hours, napping and playing in the water.

For dinner we hit the hotel's signature restaurant, the Ocean View Bar and Grill, where acclaimed executive chef Joshua Soth creates delicious new and modern classics. Here, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, we enjoyed a beautiful sunset meal on the outdoor terrace. We began with lightly breaded crab cakes with avocado and chipotle aioli and couple glasses of smooth and elegant Oberon Oregon Merlot wine with hints of black cherry.

For the main course I went with the exciting and tasty fisherman's pasta, with shrimp, calamari, local fish and penne pasta tossed in butter wine sauce with spinach, roasted peppers and caramelized onions. My friend went with super tender braised short ribs in a succulent cabernet sauvignon demi-sauce on top of mashed cauliflower and fingerling potatoes. We concluded dinner with New York cheesecake with seasonal berries and a memorable sunset falling in the ocean right in front of the hotel.

inside Hotel Indigo
Hotel Indigo is a great home base for exploring Del Mar

Fall is a great time to visit Del Mar. Not only is the weather perfect, but there are also lots of fun things to see and do. Besides the beaches and world-famous Del Mar Racetrack, there is also lots of art galleries, gourmet restaurants and renown shopping. In fact, Del Mar Plaza is a European-style outdoor marketplace that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and boasts a myraid of unique shops and galleries, and an elegant atmosphere of fountains, sculptures and palazzo-style terraces with spectacular views of the Southern California coast.

For more information on visiting Del Mar, visit: www.dreamdelmar.com. Hotel Indigo Del Mar is located at 710 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014. For more information and reservations, call 877-8-INDIGO (877 846 3446) or visit: www.hotelindigosddelmar.com/

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Hi Greg,

It's not a forest of banyan trees in Lahaina by the harbor. It's one huge tree, about 140 years old. It's an important landmark of Lahaina, and one of our favorite views.We always stay at the Pioneer Inn, overlooking the harbor and the banyan tree. Every evening thousands of mynah birds fly into the tree, chattering and fluttering until they settle down for the night. Otherwise, great article.

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