This is amongst the best location in the world for geography, beaches, infrastructure, accessibility and climate. In front of the house the hill is steep straight down to the ocean, a dramatic view that you will see each time you come and go from the house. Since the indigenous Torrey Pine trees are protected and residents like trees, it is the best view in the county. Being on the ocean front hill, we get cool ocean breezes nearly every summer afternoon.
Del Mar is San Diego's most desirable ocean front town, with two easily accessed family friendly beaches (cleaner, less developed and less crowded than those to the south), high end restaurants, and an outdoor ocean view mall. Given the natural beauty and ocean front, it is the most desirable and expensive part of San Diego County, with multiple unique houses giving a mean price of $4M. Yet it is also easily accessed from the freeway and the spectacular coast road (unlike towns farther south) and has restaurants and supermarkets in all price ranges.
Two huge areas of land have been preserved in their natural state and are open for hiking (but no dogs allowed); both < 9min walk from the house. There is a dedicated dog beach 2 miles north.
The coast road to the South has the best ocean view in the county leading to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and beach. To the north, winding old streets with no sidewalks or streetlights, full of overgrown trees, lead to the quaintest town in the county and excellent restaurants. My house is the ideal distance from the freeway - too far to hear traffic, but near enough for fast access to the North, South and East.
We are equidistant from Legoland and the Safari Park to the North, SeaWorld, the Zoo and Balboa Park to the South, and the many excellent small kid friendly wineries and numerous hiking trails to the East. There are beaches north and south, but those to the north are quaint and much more attractive than those to the south, unless you want crowds.