Some places just click for families. The parking is manageable, the kids find something to do, and parents actually get to relax for a moment. Del Mar Plaza is one of those places, and if you haven’t spent a full afternoon (or evening) here with your kids, you’re missing out on one of coastal San Diego’s most underrated family destinations.
The Del Mar Plaza sits above the Pacific Coast Highway with sweeping ocean views, open-air walkways, and a rotating mix of restaurants, boutiques, and local businesses that make it easy to turn a quick errand into a full day out. For families, specifically, it hits a rare sweet spot: there’s enough to keep kids genuinely entertained, enough variety for parents to actually enjoy themselves, and enough laid-back coastal energy that nobody feels rushed.
This post is your guide to making the most of it. Free live music on the deck to gelato stops, kids’ bookstores, and family-friendly dining that doesn’t require a reservation or a formal dress code.
Free Live Music the Whole Family Can Enjoy
Let’s start with the headline act: Seaside Sessions, Del Mar Plaza’s free outdoor live music series held every Thursday and Saturday from 5 to 7pm on the Ocean View Deck.
The setting alone is worth showing up for. As the sun starts dropping toward the horizon, the deck fills with families, couples, and locals who’ve made this part of their weekly rhythm. Kids have room to move around, parents can grab a drink at one of the nearby restaurants, and the ocean becomes the perfect backdrop.
Arriving early gives you the best spot on the deck and enough time to watch the sunset settle in before the first set begins. Staying a little later means dinner is already taken care of—most of the Plaza’s restaurants are steps away and open well into the evening.
For families who want even more live music in the area, Monarch Ocean Pub also features regular live performances in a more restaurant-style setting, also within the Plaza.
Before or After the Show: Make an Afternoon of It
The beauty of Seaside Sessions is that it anchors the visit. You can plan the whole afternoon around it: arrive early, explore the shops, grab a snack, and let the kids wind down on the deck as the music starts. Or do it in reverse: dinner first, then a leisurely sunset concert as the night wraps up. Either way, there’s plenty to fill the hours in between.
What Kids Actually Love at Del Mar Plaza
An’s Hatmakers: Gelato Worth the Trip
Ask any kid who’s been to Del Mar Plaza what they want to do first, and there’s a good chance gelato comes up. An’s Hatmakers serves some of the most talked-about gelato in the area: bold flavors, generous scoops, and the kind of quality that makes adults equally enthusiastic. It’s the natural punctuation mark for any family outing.
Camino Books: For Kids Who Love Reading
Camino Books is a local bookstore that’s genuinely good at helping kids find something they’ll actually want to read. Whether your child is a reluctant reader or already burning through chapter books, browsing here feels different from ordering online. There’s something about physically pulling a book off a shelf, reading the back cover, and deciding on the spot.
School of Rock: Where Music Starts
For families with kids who are already curious about music, or who’ve just been inspired by watching Seaside Sessions from the deck, School of Rock offers a real introduction to learning an instrument and performing live. Programs are designed for kids and teens, and the school’s approach focuses on playing real music from day one rather than drilling scales in isolation. It’s worth checking their schedule if you’re planning a visit, as enrollment and event programming can vary by season.
Beach City: Toys, Clothes, and More
Beach City (previously known as Urban Girl) is the Plaza’s go-to for kids’ toys and clothing. It’s curated enough to feel like a discovery rather than a big-box store, and the selection leans toward pieces that actually get worn and played with.
Family Dining That Doesn’t Require a Plan
One of the quiet advantages of Del Mar Plaza for families is how uncomplicated dinner can be. Multiple restaurants across the Plaza offer kids’ menus, just ask your server when you sit down. The range of options means different families can eat in very different ways on the same night: a relaxed Italian meal at Il Fornaio, cocktails and coastal Mexican at Tamarindo, waterfront vibes at Monarch Ocean Pub, or something fresh at Pacifica Del Mar.
The outdoor seating across much of the Plaza also takes the pressure off. Kids have more room and the ocean air makes everything feel more relaxed than it would indoors.
If you’re combining dinner with Seaside Sessions, the logistics are easy: most restaurants are within walking distance of the Ocean View Deck, so you can eat first and walk over, or grab a table at a spot close enough to hear the music while you dine.
Planning Your Visit
Del Mar Plaza is located at 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014, and sits right in the heart of the village with easy access from the 5 freeway. Parking is available on-site.
For families specifically, Thursday and Saturday evenings are the sweet spot during Seaside Sessions season (which kicks off in March). Arriving between 4:00 and 4:30pm gives you time to explore before the music starts at 5:00pm, and positions you well for dinner right after.
Keep an eye on the Del Mar Plaza events calendar for updated performance schedules, new tenant announcements, and seasonal happenings.
