AVERAGE LIST PRICE: 4 BEDROOM $595,000 - 3 BEDROOM $575,000

Small city on the Pacific, famous for its race track, which used to attract old Hollywood. Del Mar is a narrow town with one main thoroughfare, Camino Del Mar. Homes, condos and cottages can be found on both sides of the street. On the eastern edge, the town rises into the hills and many homes have views. Seven out of every ten residential units were built between 1950 and 1980. Only 200 were built in the last decade. Essentially, Del Mar is built out but just beyond its city limits are new subdivisions, Del Mar Heights and Carmel Valley.

Del Mar is bordered on the south and east by parks and on the north by the city of Solana Beach. Lagoons are at both ends of town, further hindering development. Commute by rail to downtown San Diego and coastal cities to the north. When the Del Mar Race Track or the Del Mar Fair are running, traffic jams the freeway.

Carmel Valley is located east of Del Mar and Interstate 5. It contains new subdivisions, with a mix of single family homes, apartments and condos. Because the subdivisions are planned developments, parks, schools and amenities are installed as the homes are built. The homes have 4+ bedrooms, 3-car garages and many are 2 story. These homes are generally less than ten years old and have tile roofs, large master bedrooms, walk-in closets, newer kitchens, light & bright decor.Many families, well-received schools, and a reasonable commute to downtown. Lot sizes tend to be smaller and some homes rather close together. The middle class neighborhoods are clean, bright and well maintained. The older children attend Earl Warren Jr. High and Torrey Pines High.