Photo: Jani Vehkalahti
Photo: Del Mar Plaza
Photo: Aaron Parker
Del Mar Plaza
★4.5(939 reviews)FreeShopping
🕑 1.5-3 hours👶 Best for all ages. Toddlers enjoy running around the safe, pedestrian-only spaces and playing near the fountains, while tweens and teens appreciate the trendy shops and casual dining options. The oceanfront setting provides natural entertainment for even the youngest visitors.🧡 Saved by 16 families
About
Del Mar Plaza offers families a relaxed coastal shopping experience with stunning Pacific Ocean views that will keep kids entertained between stores. The open-air layout features interactive fountains perfect for warm days, spacious walkways for strollers, and weekend entertainment that turns a simple shopping trip into a full family outing.
Highlights
- ✓Interactive fountains where kids can cool off on warm days
- ✓Multiple ocean-view terraces perfect for family photos
- ✓Weekend live music and entertainment performances
- ✓Wide pedestrian walkways safe for young children to explore
- ✓Variety of family-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating
Pro Tips
- 1.Park in the underground garage for easiest stroller access and validation at participating restaurants
- 2.Visit the upper level terraces for the best ocean views and Instagram-worthy family photos overlooking the beach
- 3.Time your visit with weekend live music performances, typically Saturday afternoons, for free entertainment
- 4.Bring a change of clothes for little ones who can't resist the fountain areas on warm days
- 5.Stop by during weekday mornings for the most relaxed browsing with fewer crowds
Best Time to Visit
Weekday late mornings (10 AM-12 PM) offer the best experience with lighter crowds and open stores. Weekend afternoons feature live entertainment but expect more people. Visit during golden hour (early evening) for spectacular sunset views over the ocean.
What to Know
Free to explore with individual shops and restaurants setting their own hours. Parking is available in the underground structure with validation options at many dining establishments. The plaza is stroller-friendly with elevators accessing all levels.
Seasonal Notes
Summer weekends are busiest with tourists but offer the best weather for fountain play. Spring and fall provide comfortable temperatures with fewer crowds. The plaza may host special holiday events and decorations during December.
Nearby Eats
Pacifica Del Mar offers upscale family dining with ocean views and a kids' menu, while Sbicca serves American comfort food in a relaxed atmosphere. For casual bites, head to Il Fornaio for Italian favorites kids will love.
More Activities Near Del Mar
Activity
Del Mar Fairgrounds
★4.5$$❤️36
Del Mar Fairgrounds is Southern California's premier family entertainment destination, hosting the beloved San Diego County Fair each summer along with year-round events like seasonal festivals, concerts, and special exhibitions. With everything from carnival rides and petting zoos during fair season to horse racing events and holiday celebrations, there's always something exciting happening at this iconic oceanside venue that's been creating family memories for generations.
Park
Seagrove Park
Free
Seagrove Park offers the best of both worlds for Del Mar families: a well-maintained bluff-top park with playground equipment and picnic areas, plus direct beach access via stairs. The stunning ocean views make it a perfect spot for picnics while kids play, and when they're ready for sand and surf, you're just steps away from the beach below.
Playground
Powerhouse Park
★4.8Free❤️176
Powerhouse Park in Del Mar is a family favorite that truly lives up to its name, offering something for everyone from tots to teens. This modern facility combines an exceptional playground with a skate park, basketball courts, and plenty of shaded picnic areas, all just blocks from the beach. With its stellar 4.8-star rating from over 2,500 families, this free community park delivers serious fun without the price tag.
Activity
Torrey Pines State Beach
★4.8Free❤️28
Torrey Pines State Beach is a stunning coastal gem where kids can explore protected tidepools teeming with sea creatures, splash in gentle waves perfect for younger swimmers, and marvel at dramatic sandstone cliffs. The combination of nature exploration and classic beach fun makes this one of San Diego County's most family-friendly shorelines, with calmer waters than many nearby beaches and fascinating marine life just waiting to be discovered.