Taste & Art Stroll: A matched pair
There’s something to please every palate and artistic taste at the Taste & Art Stroll in Del Mar Saturday.
Food lovers strolling Camino del Mar - from 11th to 15th streets - can sample the specialties of 21 participating restaurants while art mavens can browse the work of 70 local and regional artists. The diverse sounds of seven bands will entertain people all along the event route and children can choose from a range of interactive artistic programs. Even pets will be given handout treats and fresh water, which will be available at participating tasting stations.
The Taste of Del Mar sampling (at $40 per ticket) will be available from noon until 4 p.m. while the free art stroll will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
According to Jen Grove, executive director of the Del Mar Village Association (DMVA), this year’s event is bigger than ever. Every restaurant in the village will participate, including Pacifica Del Mar, Sbicca, Americana Cafe, Jake’s Del Mar, Poseidon and many more.
“Every sample plate is a good-sized appetizer - and they’re all a little bit different,” Grove said. “Some restaurants hand out a salad, a bowl of soup or a dessert like tiramisu.”
Wine and ale tastings will be available for the first time this year.
“The distributors are bringing a range of wines from various vineyards and we’ll have two wine-tasting areas and one ale-tasting area,” Grove said.
Artists will display a colorful range of media and styles, including ceramics, handcrafted jewelry, fine art paintings, sculptures, photography, glass and more.
This year, the DMVA has teamed up with the San Diego County Library’s Del Mar branch to expand the children’s interactive art areas. Kids can watch puppet shows, learn how to hula dance, play a drum and tap their feet to the Rad Hatter and the Moonlight Beach Ukulele Strummers. Events will be held inside the library, on the corner of 13th Street and Camino del Mar and on the Prudential lot at 1234 Camino del Mar.
The sounds of everything from jazz to rock to steel drum music will fill the air, thanks to participating artists that include Band Diego, Steve Ybarra, Charlie Imes, Gregory Michael’s Band, John Foltz, Randy Fontaine & the Swingers and Semisi Mau & Fula Bula.
Grove said the event helps to build community spirit in Del Mar.
“It brings all the demographics into the downtown area for a common purpose where people can enjoy music, food and good times in a beautiful setting,” Grove said. “It’s nice to have these downtown events where you can bring your kids, and then all the familiar faces connect the residents to the business owners and it helps make this a community.”
All proceeds will benefit the DMVA. The money will go toward beautification and revitalization projects in downtown Del Mar, including public art projects, banners and the downtown directory.
There are 700 tickets available for this year’s event. For tickets, visit
or drop by Willis Allen Realty or Union Bank in downtown Del Mar.
Complimentary public parking and pedicab transportation to and from the event will be available at the Del Mar Shores/Winston School location at 215 Ninth St.
Taste of Del Mar & Art Stroll
Oct. 4Taste of Del Mar: 12 to 4 p.m. ($40)
Art Stroll: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (free)
Camino del Mar from 11th to 15th streets