South Del Mar is a right-hand reef break that peels over a mix of rock ledge and sand. The wave tends to be on the mushy side, but it stays fun and usually has something worth riding.
When It Works
The reef pulls in swell from south through west-southwest to northwest (S-WSW-NW) and takes just about any small to medium-sized swell. It works from 0.3 m / 1 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft, giving a wide window where it comes to life.
Wind and Tide
Look for east (E) offshore wind, or get out early when the morning offshores blow. The reef works through most of the tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Access
Reach the spot by walking north along the beach from Torrey Pines State Beach.
