arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up play-button plus tab-indicator dots close menu search facebook google-plus instagram pinterest rss twitter tiktok youtube rss-two heart Check FeaturedBadge linkedin minus apps placeholder linkedin
Discover

Del Mar

A sandy stretch of paradise along historic Coast Highway 101

Photo By Joanne DiBona

Enjoy the beach then explore the quaint community

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Directions to Del Mar Beaches

  • 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.

Del Mar

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.

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.

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

Deals just for you

Wineries

$10 off-Chauffeured Vineyards Adventure

San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours
Valid: Oct 17, 2024 - ongoing

Call 858.551.5115 and get $10 off your booking. Or booking online and enter promo code: 24SDTA5 Join us on the Chauffeured Vineyards Adventure  for award-winning wine tastings and wine...

Transportation

La Jolla Star: Show Your Badge & Save

La Jolla Star Transportation
Valid: Jul 30 - ongoing

Our VIP transportation service in San Diego offers a luxurious and exclusive travel experience for individuals and groups attending events in the area. Our fleet of high-end vehicles, driven by...

Activities

Uncork Unforgettable Moments with Gift Cards

San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours
Valid: Oct 8, 2024 - ongoing

Looking for the perfect gift that will leave a lasting impression? Elevate the gifting experience with our Winery Tour Gift Cards – the passport to a grape-infused adventure that promises to...

Related Articles and Features

What's Nearby

Beaches Region

Areas of Interest

Where to Stay

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

Sign Up

Partners

Explore

Plan

Stay

Follow Us

Language:

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

China
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Mexico
Korea
Switzerland
Brazil
France
Australia
Canada
USA

Or use Google Translate

Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic
Belarusian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Danish
Deutsch
Español
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
Francais
Georgian
Greek
Haitian-Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Nederlands
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Swedish
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukranian
Vietnamese
Yiddish