Rio del Mar, California

About Rio del Mar

Set in the western part of California, Rio del Mar is a small unincorporated community.

Rio del Mar holds the status of a census-designated place — a real, named community that residents call home, governed at the county level. The community covers 3 square miles.

📰 Rio del Mar News Today

• After a loss at the California Supreme Court, why are the fences on Beach Drive in Aptos still standing? Santa Cruz Sentinel · Jun 19
• Rio del Mar Beachfront Walkway Remains Blocked Good Times | Santa Cruz California's Leading Free Weekly · May 20
• California Supreme Court upholds public access walkway at Rio Del Mar Beach KSBW · Dec 18
• California Supreme Court decision maintains public access to Aptos beachfront walkway, county says Lookout Santa Cruz · Dec 18
• Search ongoing for woman visiting California who was last seen at beach bonfire - ABC News ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos · Feb 10

Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.

What Makes Rio del Mar Unique

• The only place in America named Rio del Mar — a truly one-of-a-kind name among 32,000+ US communities.
• An unincorporated community — no city hall of its own, which often means lower local taxes and county-managed services.
• Positioned in western California, convenient to the region's corridors and crossings.

Why People Love It Here

• Quiet streets and a slower rhythm — the kind of place people move to on purpose.
• Cost of living typically runs below the big-metro average.
• Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 3 miles.

🍽️ Where to Eat in Rio del Mar

• Rio Room
• Sanderling's

Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.

🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Rio del Mar

• Hidden Beach reviews ★
• Hidden Beach Park reviews ★
• Hidden Beach Park (ASD) reviews ★
• Seascape Park reviews ★
• Seascape Uplands Preserve · Nature reserve reviews ★
• Trestle at Hidden Beach reviews ★

Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.

⚡ Quick Facts

🗺️ Map of Rio del Mar

🏘️ Nearby Communities