Rio Del Mar State Beach
Rio Del Mar State Beach
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
77 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
23
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Papa Kevin
Santa Clara, CA5 contributions
Nov 2022 • Solo
Long wide beach. Walk for miles between Capitola and Watsonville. Kid friendly. Dog friendly. Convenient parking. Local market and restaurants. Build a sandcastle or bask in the sun. Boogie boarding/surfing. Rio has it all without the hordes.
Written December 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sonofdragon
San Jose, CA429 contributions
Dec 2020
Rio del Mar (RdM) State Beach is a cozy neighborhood beach in Santa Cruz County. Lies along the coastline between SeaCliff State Beach and the vast expansive La Selva/Manresa beaches, RdM beach is an active recreational beach where you’ll see people surfing, fishing, sun-worshiping, picnicking, playing volleyball, walking dogs, jogging, hiking, or family gathering. Parallel to the beach is the free parking area at the Esplanade. Restroom is right next to the beach.
We came here for the 10K step challenge on Dec. 26, where the sun was up and shining, a much-needed spirit-booster after the heavily rained down Christmas day. We walked toward Manresa Beach and surprisingly, we were treated with an enchanting view along the coast. The reflection of the sky made a marvelous landscape for the day, completed with pillowy clouds like cotton candies, happy people engaging, busy birds foraging, prancing waves calling, cool air breezy and relaxing … A natural wonder in its own right, only likely could be seen/experienced during rainy season, esp right after the rain when the glorifying sun is coming out from hiding. ‘though it may not compete with the austere grandeur of Salar de Uyuni, the majestic scenery of a miniature mirror of the world that day is equally rewarding in ecstatic experience for those who were first-hand witness of that special moment. One can easily get lost/confused to distinguish where the sky ends and land begins.
Check weather outlook prior to visit. Catch this tiny magical corner of the world right in your neighborhood at a fraction of the cost.
We came here for the 10K step challenge on Dec. 26, where the sun was up and shining, a much-needed spirit-booster after the heavily rained down Christmas day. We walked toward Manresa Beach and surprisingly, we were treated with an enchanting view along the coast. The reflection of the sky made a marvelous landscape for the day, completed with pillowy clouds like cotton candies, happy people engaging, busy birds foraging, prancing waves calling, cool air breezy and relaxing … A natural wonder in its own right, only likely could be seen/experienced during rainy season, esp right after the rain when the glorifying sun is coming out from hiding. ‘though it may not compete with the austere grandeur of Salar de Uyuni, the majestic scenery of a miniature mirror of the world that day is equally rewarding in ecstatic experience for those who were first-hand witness of that special moment. One can easily get lost/confused to distinguish where the sky ends and land begins.
Check weather outlook prior to visit. Catch this tiny magical corner of the world right in your neighborhood at a fraction of the cost.
Written January 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DolphinMermaid
Campbell, CA94 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
It'll take you over 10 minutes to walk from the edge of the sand to the water -- huge amount of sand! The river (a trickle in Aug) bisects the beach, which is really neat, although, I'm not sure how clean the water is when it's moving that slowly. A 10 minute walk up the beach/promenade gets you to the sunken ship (SS Palo Alto) and the pier that almost goes out to it. The length of the beach is also enormous -- seems to go on for miles -- maybe going up the beach gets you to Seacliff beach? There's not a lot of parking, so I'd try to get there early.
Written August 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tugrul S
Oakley, CA101 contributions
Aug 2021
Run down beach. Toilets if you can call them are scary, no running water, no toilet paper, horrible. There is not a single cafe, store, restaurant. Used to live in the area, so sad to see its sad condition. Not even a single bench to sit and look at the ocean. This beach cannot compare with Capitola orcSanta Cruz beaches.
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachell S
Santa Cruz, CA115 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
It might seem funny to title my review about the great view from this beach! You might ask don't all beaches have great views?? The answer is "Yes, they do!" So it is true you'll enjoy a great beach view at any Santa Cruz County beach! Yet Rio Del Mar has always been my personal favorite.
If you like to take a long walk right next to the water, this is an excellent place to walk on sand and get your toes wet.. Or if you like to sit and just look out at the beautiful vast ocean in many directions, this is a perfect place. And if you like the ocean, but not the sand on your feet, you can walk along the sidewalk that is right next to the parking area.
When I think of Rio Del Mar, 'peaceful' always comes to mind. Nothing is really needed to enjoy this beach. It's great just on its own. It is a quiet beach. And compared to other beaches, it may feel isolated, yet it isn't at all. There are food places nearby and people enjoying the area, only nothing seems rushed or super crowded. I especially like to stop by in the Spring when the large fluffy clouds are in the sky. It is breathtaking then. If what you're after is a busy, active beach experience, there are other beaches better suited. Rio Del Mar beach is for relaxing. Pure and simple.
If you like to take a long walk right next to the water, this is an excellent place to walk on sand and get your toes wet.. Or if you like to sit and just look out at the beautiful vast ocean in many directions, this is a perfect place. And if you like the ocean, but not the sand on your feet, you can walk along the sidewalk that is right next to the parking area.
When I think of Rio Del Mar, 'peaceful' always comes to mind. Nothing is really needed to enjoy this beach. It's great just on its own. It is a quiet beach. And compared to other beaches, it may feel isolated, yet it isn't at all. There are food places nearby and people enjoying the area, only nothing seems rushed or super crowded. I especially like to stop by in the Spring when the large fluffy clouds are in the sky. It is breathtaking then. If what you're after is a busy, active beach experience, there are other beaches better suited. Rio Del Mar beach is for relaxing. Pure and simple.
Written July 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AptosAmy
Aptos, CA603 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
Rio Del Mar State Beach is a good Area to Walk... Not only is their beach, their is a sidewalk that goes down up to Platform Beach and a paved beach walk that goes toward Capitola. There are several paths and stairs to get up to the bluff on either end, several neighborhood access points, and the sunsets are grand. In the spring and fall, dolphins frolic in the bay.
Written March 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EileenM17
Olympia, WA66 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
I love this beach in Aptos. There's a paved path that runs along the sand that connects to Seacliff and makes for a lovely stroll while listening to the waves crash and spotting dolphins and whales when they make an appearance. It is home to the famous SS Palo Alto cement ship and there's a nice Visitor's center and gift shop at Seacliff Beach, just down from Rio Del Mar. Lots of picnic tables and areas that can be reserved for larger groups with BBQ pits to cook on and restrooms conveniently nearby make this a wonderful gathering spot for friends and family get togethers or birthday parties, etc...Nice restaurant and coffee shop, deli, etc. nearby and if you own an RV you can rent a spot for a few days and park it right up against the path with a gorgeous up-front view of the ocean and beach. This is a really nice spot and one I would recommend you check out if you find yourself in the area.
Written April 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mctheart
Oakland, CA4 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
magical day spent on this very sweat and clean beach. we watched whales play just off shore all afternoon. their spouts could be seen clearly as well as their tales and backs!! wow!!!
Written October 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clutzylou
Danville, CA103 contributions
Sep 2022
Great beach to walk for miles. Have seen whales, otters, seals and all sorts of shorebirds! So nice and relaxing!
Written February 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol D
Verona, NJ24 contributions
Sep 2019
We enjoyed this beach because it was level with the parking lot. No tall stairs to climb to access. There were also big tide pools for small children to enjoy. Restrooms are available and a nice board walk to the cement ship with covered picnic tables along the way.
Written October 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the beach open to guests who want to sit on the sand and splash in the water?
Written June 9, 2020
Yes, you may. There are designated areas for bbq-ing and there are charcoal bbq pits provided by the park that are located next to picnic tables with benches but I have seen people using their own propane grills in these areas as well as in the permit RV sites also located inside Rio Del Mar and the adjoining Seacliff Beach.
Written July 28, 2019
Whoa - sorry this answer took so long!
Hope it's still helpful.
Picnic tables are not reserved ahead of time, but if it's a busy holiday or weekend, the people who want one of the covered picnic areas for groups, come down early ( between 8-3:30 and lay out food and drinks to 'claim' these popular group picnic table areas.
Written November 17, 2018
Can anyone tell me if there is seaweed at this beach the seaweed from the bottom of the ocean that comes up.
Written July 15, 2018
When I've walked along Rio Del Mar beach, there doesn't seem to be as much seaweed as there is at the other beaches. At some beaches here it feels like that's all there is at the shore's edge and you get tangled up in walking along, or have to walk further up on the sand to avoid it.. While there's always a bit of seaweed along the Monterey Bay beaches, Rio Del Mar seems to have less of it.
Written July 16, 2018
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