Plans for Labor Day weekend? We’ve got you. Three days and one place that can carry you from a slow beach morning to a sunset cocktail without ever asking you to get back in the car. Consider this the last big hurrah of summer, here’s how we’d spend it.
Saturday
There’s no wrong way to start a long weekend, but ours usually begins with coffee on the deck at Kini Koffee and absolutely nowhere to be. From there it’s a short walk down to the beach for a few hours of doing very little, but enjoying the Pacific Ocean in our back yard.
The real move, though, is timing your evening around Seaside Sessions. Every Thursday and Saturday, we host free live music out on the deck. So grab a poke bowl and a drink from Valley Farm Market, head up around 5pm, and settle in for a couple hours of music with the sunset as the backdrop. When the set wraps, you’re already exactly where you want to be for dinner.
Sunday
Sunday is for brunch, and brunch means The Cottage. Sit inside or out, order more than you think you need, and don’t skip the lemon ricotta pancakes. While you’re at it, get your coffee fix with a twist. Their shaken coffees come served in martini glasses and are crave worthy.
Afterward, wander. The shops are right there, and there’s no better way to kill a warm afternoon than browsing with zero urgency. Some of our favorites? BeachCity for all things clothing and beach accessories, Sea Biscuit for designer finds, Garys for the man in your life, Coco Rose for summer dresses and Loghman Jewelers if we are feeling like trying on some diamonds.
Once done shopping, we love heading up to Enoteca, Il Fornaio’s open-air wine bar, for an Aperol Spritz on the terrace. It’s about as close to a European holiday as a Sunday in Del Mar gets.
Monday
Labor day itself calls for something easy. Start with an early lunch at Monarch Ocean Pub, grab a seat by the windows if you can and try one of their island style cocktails. From there, head down to Camino Books and take your time picking out the perfect beach read. Because what comes next is the beach. Head back down to the water, find your spot in the sand, crack open that new book, and spend the last real afternoon of summer enjoying yourself under the sun. Then cap the whole weekend off the right way: a scoop of An’s gelato on the walk back up.
