This one is almost embarrassingly easy to miss. The Scripps Bluff Preserve Trail is right there in Del Mar, tucked above the dog beach at the end of 29th Street — a wooden staircase climbing up a bluff that most people walk right past on their way down to the sand. Climb those stairs though, and you step into a completely different world: a quiet, flower-covered coastal bluff with sweeping panoramic views of the Pacific, the Del Mar coastline, and a unique bird’s-eye view of the Del Mar Racetrack that you genuinely cannot get from anywhere else.
The James G. Scripps Bluff Preserve Trail is one of those places that rewards the curious and ignores everyone else. It’s short, it’s free, it’s beautiful, and most days you’ll practically have it to yourself. Perfect for a quick escape before or after a trip down to the dog beach, a sunrise walk, or just a 20-minute reset when you need ocean air and a view without any effort.
Trail Stats at a Glance
- Distance: ~0.25–0.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: ~75 ft
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 15–30 minutes
- Dogs: Yes — and they’re welcome at the dog beach right below
- Entrance Fee: Free
- Hours: 7 AM – 5 PM daily
- Parking: Metered street parking on 29th St and adjacent streets; free street parking a short walk further away
Small Hike, Big Payoff
The bluff here sits about 75 feet above the beach — not huge in the grand scheme of San Diego hiking, but high enough to completely transform your perspective on this stretch of coastline. From the top, you’re looking out over the Pacific to the west, north up the coast past the Del Mar cliffs, and back inland at the hillside neighborhoods of Del Mar climbing up from the water. And then there’s the racetrack — the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racetrack visible directly inland, tucked against the hills with the grandstands and the infield and the whole setup spread out below you. It’s a genuinely unique view and one of those unexpected details that makes this trail worth knowing about.
The preserve itself is covered in coastal wildflowers that bloom from late winter through spring — colorful clusters of native plants dotting the mesa top in every direction. One visitor described climbing the wooden stairs to find “an amazing field of colorful flowers of various varieties.” In peak bloom season (late February through April) it’s honestly stunning for something this accessible. In summer it’s drier and more golden, but the views are just as good and it’s never crowded.
The Scripps Bluff Preserve Trail winds through coastal sage scrub with clear markers and the kind of laid-back, well-maintained character you’d expect from a Del Mar city preserve. Birdwatchers take note: raptors have been spotted hunting from the bluff regularly — the elevated position and open terrain make it ideal hunting ground, which means it’s ideal watching ground too.
The Trail
The access point is at the end of 29th Street in Del Mar, right at Del Mar Dog Beach. Look for the wooden staircase at the base of the bluff — that’s your trailhead. It’s easy to spot once you know what you’re looking for, but easy to miss if you’re just focused on getting to the beach.
Climb the stairs and you’re immediately on the blufftop preserve. The path meanders through the coastal sage scrub and wildflowers, following the bluff edge with the ocean view opening up to the west. It’s a short loop — roughly a quarter mile of actual trail up top — so the whole visit from car to bluff and back is unlikely to take more than 30 minutes even if you linger.
The trail is exposed, with no shade to speak of, which is worth knowing for midday summer visits. Early morning or late afternoon are the best windows — good light, cooler temps, and the racetrack has a different quality in the golden hour that’s worth seeing if you time it right.
Parking: Meters Are Close, Free Takes a Walk
Parking near Del Mar Dog Beach follows the classic Del Mar pattern — convenient spots are metered, free spots exist but require a little extra walking. Here’s the lay of the land:
29th Street metered parking (closest): There’s metered street parking directly on 29th Street near the beach and bluff access. These are the most convenient spots and fill up fast on weekends when the dog beach crowd arrives. Bring coins or have the ParkMobile app ready — Del Mar meters typically run $1.50–$2.50/hour with 2-hour limits. For a 30-minute bluff walk that’s totally reasonable.
Adjacent metered streets: 28th Street and the immediate cross streets nearby also have metered parking. Same story — convenient, paid, goes fast on weekends.
Free street parking further out: If you’re willing to walk an extra 5–10 minutes, free unmetered street parking opens up as you move further from the beach along the residential streets heading east. It takes a little more circling but it’s doable, especially on weekdays. Streets like Camino Del Mar further from the water will sometimes have unmetered spots depending on the block — read the signs carefully as the transition between metered and unmetered zones can be abrupt.
The dog beach combo strategy: If you’re bringing a dog and planning to do both the bluff trail and the beach, grab whatever parking you can find (metered or free) and just plan the walk in. Park once, do the bluff first, then head down to the beach. The whole outing is under an hour even at a leisurely pace.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
Spring is the peak wildflower window. Late February through April is when the blufftop comes alive with blooms. If wildflowers are on your radar, this is the season. Bring a camera — it photographs beautifully.
Sunscreen and water. The bluff is fully exposed with zero shade. Even on a mild day the coastal sun is real. This is a short trail but bring a water bottle anyway — especially if you’re combining it with time on the beach.
Closes at 5 PM. The preserve has posted hours of 7 AM to 5 PM daily. Not a place for a sunset walk, unfortunately — plan accordingly and wrap up before 5.
Dogs are welcome on the trail. Leash your dog on the preserve trail itself, then let them loose on Del Mar Dog Beach at the bottom. Best of both worlds on one visit.
It pairs perfectly with the Sea Cliff Coastal Bluff Trail. If you’re in Del Mar and want more trail time, the Sea Cliff Coastal Bluff Trail along Sunset Cliffs Boulevard is just a short drive away and makes a great companion hike. Do Scripps Bluff for the elevated racetrack view and wildflower angle, then head to Sea Cliff for the longer blufftop coastal walk. That’s a solid Del Mar outdoor afternoon right there.
The Bottom Line
The James G. Scripps Bluff Preserve Trail is exactly the kind of hidden gem that makes San Diego great. It’s fifteen minutes from your car. It’s free. It has wildflowers, ocean views, raptors, and a racetrack in the frame — which is a combination you’re not going to find anywhere else. And it’s right above one of the best dog beaches in the county, so the logistics basically take care of themselves.
Go find those wooden stairs. Climb them. Be glad you did.
