Del Mar, just north of La Jolla, has a long list of its own attractions including long stretches of sandy beaches as well as a famed surfing break.  We noted the golf course with some interest. During World War ll it was  Camp Callan, and it was there that I became a soldier and took my basic training.   Now the surrounding bluffs offer nature trails and the sparkling Pacific.  They are much more appreciated now than when we had to practice war making and such on them.  I remember them most for the nasty case of poison oak that I got there.
The first day we were at the Del Mar Fairgrounds to attend a wine tasting.  Then returned the following day to enjoy lunch at Milton’s New York style Deli.  This restaurant is a local legend with its popularity now at the quarter century mark.
A must on this visit was to experience The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar which opened in La Jolla in 2018.  We already had experienced its five star cuisine and premium vintages at its other two locations, one in Tustin and the other in Newport Beach.
Now the same culinary expertise and handsome decor has been revealed once again at its La Jolla location.  Here we met Greg Omoto, general manager as well as Chef Michael Montaya.   The menu is huge and there are always chef specialties like Risotto and lobster, or Rabbit Furchette or Chilean sea bass with cous cous.
Our server was Damign Ecken who showed the same professional care that earns all three Winery Restaurants five stars each year from the Southern California Restaurant Writers.
True to its name  The Winery offers a huge selection of wines from all parts of the world.
In La Jolla The Winery Restaurant is located at 4301 La Jolla Village Drive.  Tele. 85 230-7404, web www.thewineryrestaurants.com.
Another interesting restaurant we visited was Herringbone, just a short walk from the Empress Hotel. The decor here takes center stage with live trees present both in the cocktail lounge and the very spacious dining rooms.  The menu is American casual and there is live entertainment.  We ate our flatbread  while being entertained  with Mike Myrdal, singer/guitarist,
Herringbone is located at 7837 Herschel avenue, La Jolla, Tele, 858 459-0221, web herringboneeats.com.
Part of our visit to La Jolla and Del Mar was to attend the Family Winemakers of California Tasting which took place at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.  This was the 29th year that this event took place with 70 family owned wineries in attendance.
The result was that almost every wine producing region in the state was represented.  And the number and types of varietals shown by these wineries almost beyond count.  This tasting is so popular that again this year the sold out sign was posted well before the actual opening took place.
The Family Winemakers of California is the political and policy voice for small family-owned wineries as well as an education tool to allow consumers a greater choice in selecting California vintages.  President is Edgar Downs with Jon Phillips of Inspiration Vineyards & Winery as Chair.
Family Winemakers of California are located at 1001 K Street in Sacramento, Ca. 95814, Tele. 916 498-7500, web www.family winemakers.org.