Del Mar City Beach
Del Mar City Beach
4.5
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A popular beach in the San Diego area for sunbathing and surfing.
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  • BrianJonestown
    Scottsdale, Arizona241 contributions
    Great beach and well maintained
    Wow! Everyone seems to obsess about the cost of parking and parking tickets rather than reviewing the beach itself. Park well away and walk. That's what we did every day. Get some steps in and it won't cost you a cent! Anyway, considering the waves and the surf and the amount of usage this beach is clean. The folks who frequent it are respectful and friendly and the lifeguards are plentiful. We've been coming here for ten years and love it.
    Visited October 2022
    Written October 5, 2022
  • on_the_go_98765
    18,350 contributions
    Just another day in paradise
    Head away from Del Mar and towards the Solana/Del Mar beach boundaries, and end at the San Dieguito River channel (across the water is Dog Beach). This is the official designated stretch of what is called "city beach" (part of Main Beach). Check out the map. Get a lay-of-the-land and a feeling for the beach terrain. Del Mar is a paradise of expansive sandy beach spots.
    Visited April 2021
    Written May 10, 2021
  • MSpeck
    Poway, California11 contributions
    Staycation
    We enjoyed Del Mar City Beach during a staycation at L'Auberge Del Mar. We were there mid-week. The majority of people were wearing masks if they were walking around. The surf was great and the people very friendly. We'll be back.
    Visited August 2020
    Written August 28, 2020
  • John Hurt
    4 contributions
    $43 Parking Tickets to Fuel Their Revenue
    Del Mar has nice beaches….. BUT parking is terrible. And when parking is also terrible…. The city clearly preys on people, whether local or from out of town. They will hand out $43 parking tickets like candy. ZERO leniency. They’ll get you on ANY technicality they can. The parking sergeant, Mr. Williams, and his officer Mr. LoMedico are looking for any way to nail you. I paid for parking and according to them the ticket “wasn’t properly displayed on the dash.” They’ll double the fine even after contesting and won’t send proper notification, then they will hit you with what was originally a $43 ticket (which is still very high) has now turned into $90 after fees. No way is this reasonable or fair. Get your act together, Del Mar. If you want people to visit, at least treat your people with respect versus trying to rip them off any way you can. Why would I return when there are clearly better places in San Diego to visit that aren’t so money hungry and don’t care about you. Plus I’m not circling for 30+ minutes just trying to find a parking spot. I am a San Diego resident of many years and will go elsewhere. You’ve been warned. I feel like this place looks down on you, makes parking nearly impossible, and they enjoy the power trip after they realize their parking situation is purposefully set up this way to begin with.
    Visited June 2022
    Traveled with friends
    Written August 20, 2022
  • Journey262229
    1 contribution
    $58 Parking Ticket!
    I visited the beach and returned to my car to find a $58 parking ticket. I was parked neatly in a legal space along the curb, on a quiet neighborhood road near the beach. However, my car was not pointed in the right direction, so I was given a $58 parking ticket. My car was parked in a legal spot and the fact that it was pointed in the opposite direction inconvenienced no one--yet the city of Del Mar has decided it was worth making money off, even after I tried contesting the ticket, apologizing and promising not to do it again. I have seen others complaining about high parking citations in Del Mar, so it may very well be common there. It's very disappointing that a beautiful place such as this chooses to penalize visitors that make harmless mistakes.
    Visited July 2022
    Written August 5, 2022
  • doctoyou
    Makawao, Hawaii466 contributions
    A must do
    This of course is the local place to get in the water yet people from up N and S head here too so it can get busy with parking a bit of a chore. There is a paid lot across the street. Be sure to feed your meter if you are doing street parking; as well don't park over 2 hours without moving the car if the sign warns you as our local patrols are always there. Good food withing walking distance though great for a picnic either on the beach or the grassy area just above it. There are a couple of low pressure outdoor showers to rinse as well!
    Visited May 2021
    Written May 31, 2021
  • sdebaca
    Tucson, Arizona94 contributions
    Clean, family friendly beach
    We loved this beach. I went with my daughter and 3 year old grandson for a day in the sun and I have to say after going here, I never want to go back to the San Diego beaches again. The Del Mar beaches are clean and not crowded at all. There was no sea weed on the beach or stringy things grabbing your ankles when you walk in the water, either.
    Visited July 2021
    Traveled with family
    Written July 10, 2021
  • DOB508
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania71 contributions
    Like a Postcard
    Fantastic beach with both sand and a grass rise to give you an even better view. Easy access with walkways and benches for those that don't get around easily. Kids of all ages will go nuts over the trains that run just behind the beach-very close up!. Cali surfing scene on prime display here. Just so scenic!
    Visited January 2020
    Written January 11, 2020
  • homeless10
    Pasadena, California7 contributions
    rested
    wonderful, chill beach city where everyone is friendly and respectful, love it here, except the Noble hotel. Terrible, unsafe, smelly, dirty hotel.. do not stay there. the manager, Paris is abusive, and his boss, Nick, hung up on me after i was evicted for a higher paying customer.
    Visited February 2020
    Written February 15, 2020
  • Lori B
    Mount Airy, Maryland108 contributions
    Gorgeous!!!
    Perfect to walk this beach near sunset. Fun to watch the surfers and see the beautiful coast. Lots of dogs on leashes enoying their beach life. Bathrooms near parks at community center. Fun for all ages! Food and little shops nearby.
    Visited January 2020
    Traveled with family
    Written January 3, 2020
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
475 reviews
Excellent
330
Very good
121
Average
15
Poor
3
Terrible
6

John Hurt
4 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
Del Mar has nice beaches….. BUT parking is terrible. And when parking is also terrible…. The city clearly preys on people, whether local or from out of town. They will hand out $43 parking tickets like candy. ZERO leniency. They’ll get you on ANY technicality they can. The parking sergeant, Mr. Williams, and his officer Mr. LoMedico are looking for any way to nail you. I paid for parking and according to them the ticket “wasn’t properly displayed on the dash.” They’ll double the fine even after contesting and won’t send proper notification, then they will hit you with what was originally a $43 ticket (which is still very high) has now turned into $90 after fees. No way is this reasonable or fair. Get your act together, Del Mar. If you want people to visit, at least treat your people with respect versus trying to rip them off any way you can. Why would I return when there are clearly better places in San Diego to visit that aren’t so money hungry and don’t care about you. Plus I’m not circling for 30+ minutes just trying to find a parking spot. I am a San Diego resident of many years and will go elsewhere. You’ve been warned. I feel like this place looks down on you, makes parking nearly impossible, and they enjoy the power trip after they realize their parking situation is purposefully set up this way to begin with.
Written August 20, 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.

Journey262229
1 contribution
Jul 2022
I visited the beach and returned to my car to find a $58 parking ticket. I was parked neatly in a legal space along the curb, on a quiet neighborhood road near the beach. However, my car was not pointed in the right direction, so I was given a $58 parking ticket. My car was parked in a legal spot and the fact that it was pointed in the opposite direction inconvenienced no one--yet the city of Del Mar has decided it was worth making money off, even after I tried contesting the ticket, apologizing and promising not to do it again. I have seen others complaining about high parking citations in Del Mar, so it may very well be common there. It's very disappointing that a beautiful place such as this chooses to penalize visitors that make harmless mistakes.
Written August 5, 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.

doctoyou
Makawao, HI466 contributions
May 2021
This of course is the local place to get in the water yet people from up N and S head here too so it can get busy with parking a bit of a chore. There is a paid lot across the street. Be sure to feed your meter if you are doing street parking; as well don't park over 2 hours without moving the car if the sign warns you as our local patrols are always there. Good food withing walking distance though great for a picnic either on the beach or the grassy area just above it. There are a couple of low pressure outdoor showers to rinse as well!
Written May 31, 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.

sdebaca
Tucson, AZ94 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We loved this beach. I went with my daughter and 3 year old grandson for a day in the sun and I have to say after going here, I never want to go back to the San Diego beaches again. The Del Mar beaches are clean and not crowded at all. There was no sea weed on the beach or stringy things grabbing your ankles when you walk in the water, either.
Written July 10, 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.

DOB508
Philadelphia, PA71 contributions
Jan 2020
Fantastic beach with both sand and a grass rise to give you an even better view. Easy access with walkways and benches for those that don't get around easily. Kids of all ages will go nuts over the trains that run just behind the beach-very close up!. Cali surfing scene on prime display here. Just so scenic!
Written January 11, 2020
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.

homeless10
Pasadena, CA7 contributions
Feb 2020
wonderful, chill beach city where everyone is friendly and respectful, love it here, except the Noble hotel. Terrible, unsafe, smelly, dirty hotel.. do not stay there. the manager, Paris is abusive, and his boss, Nick, hung up on me after i was evicted for a higher paying customer.
Written February 15, 2020
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.

Lori B
Mount Airy, MD108 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Perfect to walk this beach near sunset. Fun to watch the surfers and see the beautiful coast. Lots of dogs on leashes enoying their beach life. Bathrooms near parks at community center. Fun for all ages! Food and little shops nearby.
Written January 3, 2020
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.

grlgrdgate
California1,689 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
This beautiful beach was not too crowded and seemed very clean. There are several restaurants along the beach that serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Written January 26, 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.

Angie S
Los Angeles, CA141 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
We love this beach. 18th Street through 20th street are great places. Any street is great but that is where there tend to be people and good surfing and lifeguard stands. It’s usually crowded in the summer. The water is very clean and this year very warm (78-81). There are stingrays but we haven’t seen any I think they are more down by dog beach and Solano Beach. They keep it clean and nice. 15 is where there are a lot of surfers as well. Go early for parking. You can walk into town for food and drinks. There is a snack shack at 18 by the lifeguard stand as well so you can get food and drinks. Across the street you can rent boards, bikes etc. Great beach
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.

DrFrisbie
Del Mar, CA207 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
This beach can get busy on summer weekends, in the late afternoon. Apart from those moments there is usually serenity to be found here. Park where you see the locals parking; walk to one of the most peaceful and beautiful beaches on the Pacific Coast. Dog Beach is nearby if your favorite pet is with you. Family friendly, but great for a solo stroll and/or energetic run. Smooth, serene, sandy, soothing.
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.

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