Rio del Mar (Spanish: Río del Mar, meaning "River of the Sea") is an unincorporated village in Santa Cruz County, California.

Rio del Mar is one of several small villages that form the unincorporated community of Aptos, California.

[2] For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Rio del Mar as a census-designated place (CDP).

The name, from Spanish: Río del Mar, meaning river of the sea, was chosen to promote real estate in the area during the 1920s.

For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Rio del Mar as a census-designated place (CDP).

Aptos Creek goes through Rio del Mar and empties into the Monterey Bay.

In the California State Legislature, Rio del Mar is in the 17th Senate District, represented by Democrat John Laird, and in the 29th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Robert Rivas.

[9] Rio del Mar neighbors Seacliff State Beach, which features the remains of the cement ship, the SS Palo Alto.

The SS "Palo Alto" historically adjoined the beach by a fishing pier which was heavily damaged in the January 2023 storm and subsequently demolished.