A boardwalk along the vacation rentals draws visitors to the Rio Del Mar area. Photo by Lily Stoicheff.
With its back to tons of homes, a few shops, the charming Café Rio and the Seabreeze Tavern, Rio Del Mar has more of a neighborhood feel than next-door Seacliff Beach. Locals and tourists alike stroll along the beach and swim in the surf during the day and relax around fire pits at night. The sunken cement boat, SS Palo Alto, hosts tons of seabirds right across Aptos Creek. Lots of picnic tables and free parking at Rio Del Mar State Beach make this the perfect place for a day of R&R on the fly.
Hours: 6am to 10pm
Fire pits: Yes
Nearby Camping: No
Picnic Area: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Hot showers:No
Wheelchair Access:Yes
Parking:Yes, Free
Dogs: Allowed on leashes
Lifeguard:Yes
