Just 18 miles up the coast lies Del Mar, a small community with just over 5,000 inhabitants in a 2-square-mile municipality. The town has adamantly maintained its independence, eschewing incorporation into the city of San Diego. It's one of the most upscale communities in the greater San Diego area, yet Del Mar somehow manages to maintain a casual, small-town ambience that radiates personality and charm. Come summer, the town swells as visitors flock in for the thoroughbred horseracing season and the county's San Diego Fair. The $1 million Pacific Classic, featuring the top horses in the country, is held in mid-August. For more information about racing here, see "Spectator Sports" in chapter 7.Today, just as popular as racing season is the San Diego County Fair, more popularly known as the Del Mar Fair and held next to the racetrack.