Free all day: the Del Mar Civic Center garage, 1050 Camino del Mar (enter off 11th or 10th Street): nearly 100 spaces, 72-hour limit, four with EV charging. Beach meters: $4.24 an hour, $21.20 all day, enforced 8am to 10pm every day.
Today, Tuesday Oct 6
- Del Mar Fairgrounds today: Pumpkin Station. Expect Via de la Valle and the Trailhead Lot to be busy; the City says the Trailhead Lot price varies for major events. Fairgrounds by train and bus.
- Beach day (88°F on the coast): the City says that on busy days almost every space is full by noon, even a few blocks back. Come early or late.
Every City lot and meter zone
| Where | Cost | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Del Mar Civic Center garage 1050 Camino del Mar (enter off 11th or 10th Street) | Free all day, every day | 72-hour limit Nearly 100 spaces open 24 hours, 4 with EV charging, plus about 40 outside spaces (those are reserved for farmers market vendors on Saturdays). |
| 17th Street lifeguard HQ / Coast Boulevard Coast Blvd at 17th St | $4.24 an hour, $21.20 all day | Enforced 8am to 10pm Credit card and coin. |
| North Beach Both sides of Camino del Mar and 29th Street | $4.24 an hour, $21.20 all day | Enforced 8am to 10pm every day Credit cards. |
| South Del Mar West side of Camino del Mar | $4.24 an hour | Enforced 8am to 10pm every day Credit cards and coin. |
| Via de la Valle South side, Camino del Mar east to Jimmy Durante Blvd | $4.24 an hour, $21.20 a day | Enforced 8am to 10pm every day Credit cards. |
| L'Auberge Del Mar garage 1540 Camino del Mar (enter off 15th Street, opposite Stratford Court) | $4.24 an hour | Enforced 8am to 10pm Credit cards. Permits sold by the City. |
| Trailhead Lot San Dieguito Road at Jimmy Durante Blvd | Varies during the day and for major events | Enforced 8am to 10pm every day Credit cards and coin. |
| Downtown streets Around the shops on Camino del Mar | Free, with posted time limits | Time limits enforced every day No-limit free parking on public streets close to the shopping area. |
From the City of Del Mar's Parking Information page, checked Oct 4, 2026. Any vehicle: 72 hours max on any City street or lot.
Free parking tips, from the City
- On busy summer days almost every space is full by noon, including the spots a few blocks from the beach: come early or late.
- Free street parking along the northern end of Santa Fe (the street one block east of Coast Blvd) and on 19th and 20th Streets east of Coast Blvd.
- More free spots on Camino del Mar and the cross streets from 22nd to 28th.
- Plenty of free residential parking along Stratford Court, especially south of 9th Street, but it is a long walk back to 15th Street for safe beach access.
- In residential areas, keep clear of driveways, fire hydrants and corners.
Parking at each Del Mar beach access
- Overlook (Del Mar): Views
- Del Mar Bluffs City Park: Shoulder parking, pay-and-display
- San Dieguito Lagoon: Ecological reserve, trail extends east from Jimmy Durante Blvd. on north side of river
- Del Mar City Beach (17th Street): Swimming, surfing, metered parking nearby
- Powerhouse Park: Landscaped park, play equipment, fee for parking
- Seagrove Park: Landscaped park, no beach access, metered parking
The California Coastal Commission's notes for each access. Every beach access near Solana Beach · dog beaches.
Skip the parking
- Bike in: Fletcher Cove to Powerhouse Park is 2.3 miles, about 16 minutes, with 1.4 miles on a bike lane. Bike rides from Fletcher Cove.
- By transit: Del Mar has no Coaster station; the closest is Solana Beach. Coaster times.
- Beach Stuff Hauler: park free at the Del Mar Civic Center garage (1050 Camino del Mar). PJ meets you with the cart, hauls your chairs, umbrella, cooler and toys down to your beach access, and brings them back to your car when you're done: $20 each way. Text PJ. You walk, the stuff rides.
- Skip the meter, ride in: ✓ PJ checked in person · Oct 4 Ride Solana Beach, 113 N. Acacia Ave in Solana Beach, rents beach cruisers ($35 a day) and e-bikes ($25 an hour), 8am to 7pm daily. Ride Solana Beach · 858-663-4790. Source: ridesolanabeach.com (prices, address, hours) and their street sign, photographed by PJ, checked Oct 4, 2026.
Passes and tickets
- Low-income beach parking pass: Free annual beach parking pass for California residents enrolled in programs such as CalFresh/SNAP, Medi-Cal, WIC, CARE/FERA, SSI, LIHEAP or Head Start, valid at the City's metered beach parking (City of Del Mar with the California Coastal Commission). Apply with the City.
- Parking enforcement: 858-704-3659 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm). Pay or ask about a ticket.
Need a human?
This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
Local help, free to read: make your fix plan · senior benefits checkup · lower your SDG&E bill · Medicare Extra Help · the next 90 days. Plans start as low as $25.
Questions people ask
Where is free parking in Del Mar?
The Del Mar Civic Center garage, 1050 Camino del Mar, is free all day, every day (72-hour limit), per the City of Del Mar. The City also lists free street parking on the northern end of Santa Fe, on 19th and 20th Streets east of Coast Blvd, and on Camino del Mar and the cross streets from 22nd to 28th.
How much is beach parking in Del Mar?
$4.24 an hour or $21.20 all day at the 17th Street lifeguard headquarters / Coast Boulevard and at North Beach, per the City of Del Mar.
When is Del Mar parking enforced?
Meters are enforced 8am to 10pm every day, and no vehicle may stay more than 72 hours on a City street or lot.
Where do I park for Powerhouse Park in Del Mar?
The City points visitors to the free Civic Center garage at 1050 Camino del Mar, including for twilight concerts at Powerhouse Park; the nearest meters are on Coast Boulevard at $4.24 an hour.
Is there a free beach parking pass in Del Mar?
Yes, for qualifying low-income California residents: a free annual pass for the City's metered beach parking.
Know someone who needs this?
Something changed here? Text PJ and we'll update this page.
More free local tools: the North County toolkit.