Bing Crosby: The Crooner Who Shaped Del Mar

Published on January 27, 2024

Commentary When you think of areas which became playgrounds for film industry folks during Hollywood’s Golden Era, places like Malibu and Palm Springs come to mind. However, there are nuggets of Hollywood history throughout Southern California, since celebrities were always looking for a unique hideaway to escape the spotlight while enjoying some relaxation with their friends and family. For instance, in the 1930s, Bing Crosby, a crooner turned actor, established a coastal town in North San Diego County as a getaway for himself and a destination for other Hollywood folks. The famous popular singer of the 1930s to 1960s spearheaded the development of the area as a paradise for his two favorite outdoor hobbies, golf and horse racing. Today, you can still see how the North County communities of Del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe were shaped by Crosby’s influence....