Updated December 7, 2024 by San Diego Beaches and Adventures
“You'd catch 'em surfin' at Del Mar” as the Beach Boys sang in their hit Surfin’ USA, and the surfing is definitely good in Del Mar. Like many of the San Diego beaches, there are separate areas designated for surfers and swimmers.
Directions: see below | Google Map
Parking: You definitely want to arrive in the morning, as parking is challenging and expensive in Del Mar. If you are lucky you might find metered parking along the street for $4.00 per hour, or you can park in the lot across the street for $6.00 an hour. (Tip – at the northern end of the beach, near 29th Avenue, there is a free parking lot and free on-street parking along Camino del Mar).
Getting There: Short walk to the parks and beach from parking areas.
Things to Do: There are 101 things to do at the beach, and you can do most of them here at Del Mar beach San Diego. The parks at the south end provide grassy places and a playground for the younger ones. The bathrooms and outdoor showers are very nice. Volleyball enthusiasts can enjoy a great game of San Diego beach volleyball here too.
Families love the deep sandy beaches at the south end near 15th Street, that stretch all the way north to 29th street, where the Del Mar Dog Beach begins. At low tide you can also walk south from Del Mar City Beach to Torrey Pines Beach.
Coastal hiking trail overlooking Del Mar beach
Things to See: Young people and families at the beach, sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
Facilities: Restrooms, showers, changing rooms, trash cans, playground, grassy park
Services: Within walking distance there are restaurants, bars, surf shops, rental shops and a deli on Camino del Mar.
High Tide Access: Good access to the beach.
Lifeguard: Lifeguards during summer.
Dogs: Depends on the area and season. See dog beach information below.
Things NOT to Do: No alcohol, no glass containers, no smoking, no littering, no disturbing noise, no overnight sleeping, camping or parking.
Disability Access: Some disabled parking and access.
Hazards: Rip currents.
See what one of our readers had to say:
Picnic at Del Mar Beach and Powerhouse Park – Jessica, Solana Beach, CA
Our best time at a San Diego beach was a trip to Del Mar. We packed up a picnic lunch, 2 cars full of kids, and a roll of quarters, and headed out early to grab a coveted parking spot.
We staked out a spot on the grassy slope where we would have some afternoon shade, then spent the morning on the beach. The sandy beach was deep and the kids played in the gentle waves and body surfed. Later we enjoyed a picnic lunch in the park, played frisbee, and joined a group in a game of beach volleyball.
Before we left, we showered off in the nice outdoor showers near the restrooms, and walked into downtown Del Mar and picked out some awesome desserts from the deli.
I plan to return sometime without the kids, to enjoy dinner at one of the fine restaurants in Del Mar!
• Leashed dogs are allowed at Del Mar City Beach (Powerhouse Park to 29th Street) from the Day after Labor Day through June 15.
• Leashed dogs are allowed year round at Del Mar South of Powerhouse Park (to 6th street).
• Unleashed dogs are allowed North of 29th street from the day after Labor Day through June 15 dogs, and allowed if leashed during the summer months. I’ve actually found two nice Del Mar beaches north of 29th street – Del Mar North Dog Beach and Del Mar Rivermouth Dog Beach. More information can be found on the San Diego dog beaches page.
Jake's Restaurant on the beach in Del Mar
Poseidon Restaurant on the beach in Del Mar
A short distance away near the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Racetrack is the Del Mar Fish Market, a fresh fish and seafood restaurant with friendly service (ask for Tara H.) and reasonable prices. If you are looking for the best Mexican food in San Diego, try Tony’s, an authentic family-run Mexican restaurant, or Fidel’s, one of our favorite Mexican restaurants that is popular with tourists and locals.
There are a number of Del Mar vacation rentals along the beach. Some are right on the sandy beach, while others will be a short walk to the beach. There is easy beach access all along the Del Mar beach.
Del Mar Hotels and Resorts
Looking for upscale beach rentals in Del Mar? Exquisite Del Mar lodging can be found at the L’Auberge Del Mar. Beach front dining, luxury rooms, spa treatments right on the beach in the village of Del Mar.
The Del Mar Motel on the Beach is next to the Poseidon restaurant right on the Del Mar beach. If you are looking for beach rentals right on the sandy beach, the Del Mar Motel on the Beach is a nice find.
To search for hotels and resorts for your stay in San Diego area, see aRes Travel.
From the north exit Interstate 5 at Via de la Valle and go west. Turn left on historic 101, which turns into Camino del Mar. From the south exit Interstate 5 at Del Mar Heights Rd. and go west. Turn right on Camino del Mar.
At 15th Avenue, turn west toward the beach and go two blocks and turn right. There is metered parking for $2.00 an hour (bring lots of quarters) or a parking lot for $4.00 an hour.
Directions to 29th street entrance Del Mar Beach (free parking):
From the north exit Interstate 5 at Via de la Valle and go west. Turn left on historic 101, which turns into Camino del Mar. From the south exit Interstate 5 at Del Mar Heights Rd. and go west. Turn right on Camino del Mar.
At Camino Del Mar and 29th Avenue there is a small free parking lot on the west side of Camino Del Mar. There is also free street parking in this residential area. Through the parking lot is the beach access. The signs clearly mark 29th street, so if you have a dog with you, go north, if not, go south. There is plenty of beach to enjoy.
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North San Diego County Beaches
Some beaches are best explored at low tide. Check out the tides and find maps and directions to the popular beaches below.
These are the top beaches in San Diego, listed from north to south:
Blacks Beach (Nude beach)
Blacks Beach (Surfer beach)
La Jolla Seals at Children's Pool
These are the top beaches in San Diego’s North County, listed from north to south: