Discover Del Mar Beaches
Del Mar Beaches Basics
With stunning views from historic Coast Highway 101, wildlife reserves, sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and coastal bluffs, picture-perfect oceanfront parks and plenty of shopping and dining, Del Mar is considered among the finest communities in San Diego. There's a quaint yet upscale charm to this seaside village in San Diego's North Coastal region that seems the perfect complement to Del Mar's two miles of beautiful coastline. The area offers both family- and dog-friendly beaches where you can kick-off your flip-flops, pack a picnic from the local shops and do some serious relaxing. To help you explore even more of this seaside village, each of the lifeguard stations along Del Mar Beach features a map of Del Mar Village highlighting restaurants, shopping, services and more!
Del Mar is also known for a popular activity beyond the beach, "where the surf meets the turf." The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is woven into the fabric of San Diego history, hosting the finest horse racing every year since 1937, when Bing Crosby welcomed the track's first guests. The beautiful facility is located at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, home to yet another popular summer tradition, the San Diego County Fair.
Popular Activities
- Most Del Mar beaches boast good surfing conditions, and swimming is good in certain spots, such as River Mouth/Dog Beach and 15th Street.
- Jogging and bicycling along the coast south of 15th Street.
- Volleyball at River Mouth/Dog Beach.
- Sunbathing at beaches around 17th street.
What to Know
- It is not advisable to use any of the cliff trails here, as they can be unstable.
- Remember to bring sandals or flip-flops, as you may have a long walk from your car and the sand can be hot.
What to Love
- The fairgrounds and racetrack offer open-air concerts during the summer.
- Hot air balloon rides along the coast are a fun adventure.
- Watch for dolphins in the surf, frequently spotted just past the waves in Del Mar.
- A steep, wooden staircase leads up to Scripps Bluff Preserve on 80-foot bluffs affording great views of the coastline.
Where to Go
- Across from the racetrack, where the San Dieguito River meets the sea. Also known as Dog Beach, River Mouth is a broad wedge of beach with lots of room for volleyball games and a gathering place for dogs. The inlet is well protected from wind and surf - a perfect spot to introduce small children to the sea or help them build their first sandcastle.
- Del Mar's main stretch of beach, from 15th Street to River Mouth, is arguably San Diego's finest, with good swimming, intermediate surf and easy access at every block. Two coastal parks, Powerhouse and Seagrove, are located here, providing excellent spots for picnics.
- South of 15th Street, bluffs line Del Mar's beach, though they are neither as high nor as steep as elsewhere in North County. At all but the highest tides, the beach is totally passable all the way to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
Services
Lifeguards
- The main lifeguard tower is located on 17th Street, which is the main dispatch zone for lifeguards that patrol up and down the Del Mar coast.
Bathrooms & Showers
- Restrooms and shower facilities are available around the main lifeguard tower on 17th Street.
- Additional restrooms are located at the lifeguard station at 25th Street.
Directions & Parking
Directions
- From Interstate 5, exit Del Mar Heights Road or Via De La Valle and head west. Del Mar Heights leads to the south end of Del Mar at Pacific Coast Highway and Fourth Street; Via De La Valle meets Pacific Coast Highway on the extreme north end of Del Mar at the river mouth. To find the main beach area, follow the Coast Highway to the intersection of 15th Street and Coast Boulevard, midway between those two points. Most of Del Mar's beaches are named after their numbered streets, so finding any specific spot referred to here is generally as simple as locating the same street.
Parking
- On the south end of Del Mar Village, there is easy, free parking at the Del Mar Civic Center, located at 1050 Camino Del Mar. On the north end, there is paid parking in the Del Mar Plaza. If you can’t find a free spot on a side street, metered parking is also available throughout the village, as well as a paid lot across the street from the Powerhouse Community Center, park and beach.