Del Mar is a beach city in San Diego County, California. Del Mar is Spanish for "of the sea" or "by the sea," which reflects its location on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. The Del Mar Horse Races are hosted on the Del Mar racetrack every summer. In 1885, Colonel Jacob Taylor purchased 338acre from Enoch Talbert, with visions of building a seaside resort for the rich and famous. The United States Navy operated a Naval Auxiliary Air Facility for blimps at Del Mar during World War II. The population was estimated at 4,311 in 2014, up from 4,161 at the 2010 census.Geography and climateAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.8sqmi. 1.7sqmi of it is land and 0.1sqmi of it (3.94%) is water. At the southern edge of Del Mar is the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon.Del Mar's climate is considered mediterranean-subtropical with warm, dry summers and mild, humid winters, and is considered one of the most desirable climates in the United States. Temperatures exceed 85°F only on a few occasions throughout the year and rarely drop below 41°F. The average yearly temperature in Del Mar is approximately 65°F.Del Mar is also one of few locations in which the Torrey Pine tree grows. The Torrey Pine is the rarest pine in the United States and only two populations of this endangered species exist. The Soledad Valley at the south of Del Mar severs two colony segments of the Pinus torreyana.
