About Del Mar Surf Travel
Del Mar is home to a rare reef break amid miles of beachbreak. From La Jolla in the south, to Seaside/Cardiff in the north, 15th Street is the only clear relief from the monotonous sandy sea floor. When the beaches are closed out on a low tide or a big swell, 15th will produce shapely lefts and a short right-hander.
Getting to 15th is a cinch. Exit the I5 freeway at Villa de la Valle coming from the north, or Del Mar Heights Road from the south. Make your way to the coast, and head for downtown Del Mar. You’ll know you’re getting close when three out of the four cars at an intersection are either Mercedes or BMWs. There is some serious money in this little community; a recent article in the San Diego Union-Tribunetagged it as the “next Malibu.” The main road through town is lined with expensive sidewalk cafes and overpriced boutiques.
On the cliff above the left-hander is a well-kept grassy park, which serves as a great place to hang out between surfs. Also, alongside the road is a loading zone with a perfect view of the lineup. Parking is available in a pay lot directly across the street, but, another 100 yards to the north, you can park for free in the surrounding neighborhood.
The reef at 15th Street sticks out just far enough to pull in some of the south swells that generally pass by the rest of San Diego, but the wave is much more consistent during the winter. The spot can work on just about any tide, but gets steeper and more powerful as the tide drops. The left can line up and race along the edge of the reef, allowing for three or four turns down the line. The right is a little mushier and shorter, but does have an occasional section to bash. On its best day, the left can be somewhat comparable to the left at Lower Trestles. The wave breaks a fair distance from shore, and can have a reform on the inside during higher tides. It doesn’t blow out as easily as its neighboring beaches because it’s a reef and has some traces of kelp growing below the surface.
If there is a crowd at 15th, you can always find a peak to yourself to the north or south, so long as the wind isn’t already on it. These sandbars can be pretty fun, but can’t handle any real size or a low tide. You can, however, be assured to surf either alone or with just a couple of other guys. Beware of summertime restrictions on surfing and swimming zones on all beaches north of 15th Street, and be very cautious of the pollution problem at the rivermouth. Avoid all water contact here after any substantial rain, and obey the signs posted by the Health Department.