Del Mar

Surf Guide

Del Mar is home to a rare reefbreak 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.On the cliff above the lefthander 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 surfers. 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. LOCAL RESOURCES: San Diego Surfrider | Del Mar Bodysurfing Club LINEUP TIPS: Etiquette | Surf Safety Basics