Beachside living, diverse market, and tranquil charms in Rio Del Mar.
Rio Del Mar is one of two beachside communities that share an Aptos mailing address (Seacliff is the other) but have an identity all their own. Here, only five miles from Capitola and 10 from Santa Cruz, is a quiet, unspoiled beach town where solitude comes without the cost of seclusion and homeowners can live steps from the sand without breaking the bank.
Don’t look for meaning in the name “Rio Del Mar.” It means “river to the sea” and was made up by an ambitious real estate developer in the 1920s. There is no “river” in Rio Del Mar, which does about Aptos Creek to the north. There is, however, a full mile of beach in Rio Del Mar, stretching from the creek to La Selva Beach and including Beer Can Beach, Seascape Golf Club, and the Seascape Resort. Rio Del Mar isn’t long on commercial options, but it does have a handful of laid-back restaurants — Cafe Rio, Flats Bistro, Palapas, and Sanderlings Restaurant — and is only a mile from the shopping and dining center of Aptos.
Rio Del Mar has a diverse real estate market, making it somewhat unique among California beach towns. It delivers the expected ultra-high-end waterfront properties but also has a robust middle-class market and even offers options for entry-level condominium buyers, who may be surprised to find that ocean views can be had for $400,000. Rio Del Mar also has a significant for-lease market, including quite a few homes used as short-term seasonal rentals.
It’s easy to understand why Rio Del Mar is popular with seasonal renters. Not as crowded as Capitola and Santa Cruz, less pricey than the former, and less funky than the latter, it appeals to those who prefer quiet walks on the beach and cool, foggy mornings, and to surfers looking to avoid crowds and competition. It’s a neighborly place, family-friendly (as well as dog-friendly), and free of the posturing that sometimes plagues California beaches. The appeal of Rio Del Mar is just as clear on a cloudy Tuesday in November as it is on a July weekend — maybe more so.
But this is not to say that Rio Del Mar’s only charms are solitude. The community is a part of and enjoys the conveniences of Aptos, enhancing not only its access to shops and restaurants but also to outdoor recreational opportunities; being outside is a big part of living in Rio Del Mar. Whether you prefer surfing or paddleboarding, kayaking or jogging along the sand, riding horses or bicycles, hiking or soaking up the sun’s rays, Rio Del Mar will meet your needs. Maybe you’d rather play 18 holes at the Aptos Seascape Golf Course, swim, play tennis, work at the Seascape Sports Club, build a bonfire on the beach or sit and watch the ocean from Seascape Park? That’s all here, too.
Rio Del Mar avoids the higher profiles of its northern neighbors, preferring instead to feel a kinship with nearby Aptos, a laid-back community whose vibe is more small-town than a resort, where sidewalks are optional and neighbors are friendly, cool, foggy mornings promise brisk, sunny afternoons and the beach is waiting.
