Tag: Del Mar

Great white sharks appear in waves at popular San Diego beach

A 10-mile stretch of coastal waters in San Diego County continues to be utilized as a nursery by juvenile great white sharks. At times you can see them in the surf.

A roughly 10-mile stretch of coastal waters off San Diego continues to be utilized as a nursery by juvenile great white sharks, which sometimes appear in waves.

The junior apex predators, measuring to about nine feet, can be spotted from bluff-top trails at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

I captured the accompanying images during visits as recently as Dec. 20, usually before noon (with the sun at my back) while wearing polarized sunglasses for easier spotting.

©Pete Thomas

Some of the sharks I observed swam close to shore as they searched (presumably) for rays and other fish. Some were beyond the surf, cruising parallel to the coast in either direction.

The stretch between Del Mar and La Jolla is a major aggregation site for young white sharks – a productive feeding zone in a reasonably safe and tranquil environment.

©Pete Thomas

Many of the sharks are tagged. Chris Lowe, director of the of the Shark Lab at Cal State University Long Beach, told me recently that there could be as many as 40 sharks utilizing the area.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve does not routinely publicize the presence of sharks. But regular visitors know about them, and children on field trips are sometimes asked by naturalists to try to spot them.

View from the Guy Fleming Trail at Torrey Pines. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

The sharks can be spotted from trails and overlooks nearest the water. Mornings are best because the ocean is generally calm and the sun is at a proper angle. Binoculars and polarized glasses are extremely helpful.

My best sightings occurred at medium or high tide, when sharks seem more likely to approach the shore. But on Wednesday during a medium low tide I spotted one shark well inside the breaking waves (photo posted above).

©Pete Thomas

Will the sharks stay for the winter?

Lowe told me in October 2022 that larger sharks were likely to hold over, while smaller sharks might leave if the water temperature dipped into the 50s.

For now, the aggregation appears to be holding steady but nobody knows how long it’ll last. Major aggregation sites are temporary and have formed and dissipated at other locations.

©Pete Thomas

What’s unique about Torrey Pines is a trail network that affords a bird’s-eye view. All you need are suitable viewing conditions and patience.

If you’re fortunate enough to be visiting on a calm morning with any kind of swell, you might spot a shark or two swimming in waves.

San Diego beach a hot spot for great white shark sightings

If you’d like to observe great white sharks but do not want to board a boat, Torrey Pines State Beach in San Diego is just the spot.

Last November, a state beach in San Diego boasted that great white sharks had gathered beyond its shore and provided spotting tips for visitors.

The announcement put Torrey Pines State Beach on the map as a destination known for juvenile white sharks as well as magnificent trails and sweeping ocean views.

Then winter arrived, some sharks left for warmer water, and the hype ended. But I can attest that there are still plenty of white sharks, perhaps dozens, hanging out at Torrey Pines.

White shark close to shore at Torrey Pines. Photo ©Pete Thomas

I’ve visited the park four times in the past two weeks and saw sharks during each visit. During my most recent visit last Wednesday, I spotted multiple sharks during an hourlong period, including four sharks at once.

Two days earlier, I saw a large juvenile shark, perhaps 9 feet, probing in the sand in green water less than 30 yards from shore.

White shark sporting a Shark Lab research tag off Torrey Pines. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

It could be argued that at present, because trails at Torrey Pines provide a bird’s-eye view, there is no better location for observing white sharks from shore.

The aggregation site spans from Del Mar to about Black’s Beach just south of Torrey Pines. Juvenile white sharks, measuring 5 to 10 feet, utilize the area as a nursery. They feed mostly on rays and other bottom fish.

White shark in bluer offshore water at Torrey Pines. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

Chris Lowe, who runs the Shark Lab at California State University Long Beach, told FTW Outdoors that in recent weeks 27 tagged sharks have remained in this area “day in, day out.”

Not all of the sharks are tagged and some come and go, so it’s difficult to estimate the number of sharks off Del Mar/Torrey Pines. But Lowe said it could be as many as 40.

View from the Guy Fleming Trail at Torrey Pines. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

Juvenile white shark aggregation sites, which can be established anywhere along the coast, are temporary so it’s unclear how long the sharks will remain off Torrey Pines.

Those who wish to observe them should plan their hikes to overlooks during morning hours with the sun at their backs.

Shark Lab tagging crew searching for white sharks. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

Calm, sunny mornings during a high or incoming tide are best, and polarized sunglasses are a must unless conditions are perfect.

There are no guarantees, but if conditions are right and visitors spend enough time looking, they have a solid chance of seeing a shark or two. (I’ve seen them swimming as close as 30 yards from shore.)

Since juvenile white sharks feed on fish instead of the seals and sea lions preferred by much larger adult white sharks, they do not pose a significant threat to swimmers and surfers.

However, last Nov. 4 a woman was bitten by a presumed white shark while swimming 200 yards offshore in Del Mar. She was hospitalized and treated for puncture wounds to her right thigh.

Note: White sharks are protected in California. Anyone caught targeting white sharks while fishing at Torrey Pines State Beach will be cited.

Great white sharks reclaim spotlight at San Diego Beach

The sighting Friday of three great white sharks off Black’s Beach in San Diego provides strong evidence that perhaps dozens of juvenile sharks are still utilizing the area between Black’s and Del Mar.

The sighting Friday of three great white sharks off Black’s Beach in San Diego illustrates that several juvenile sharks are still utilizing coastal waters between Black’s and Del Mar.

In the middle of this area is Torrey Pines State Beach, which contains bluff-top trails from which sharks can be spotted when conditions are right.

The following is a repost from last fall – “Great white sharks now a tourist attraction at San Diego beach” – with images I’ve since captured from one of the trails:

©Pete Thomas

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and State Beach is known for its sweeping views of the Pacific. Migrating whales are sometimes spotted in the distance.

But these days great white sharks are a premier attraction for some hikers at the reserve near San Diego. Dozens of juvenile white sharks have spent the summer and early fall off Torrey Pines and Del Mar, just to the north.

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The sharks have been feeding on stingrays and other bottom fishes, keeping a fairly low profile until recently.

Anglers began to hook them and on Oct. 30 the carcass of an 8-foot white shark was discovered on the shore at Torrey Pines. The shark died as a result of fishing activity. (White sharks are protected and targeting them while fishing is illegal.)

©Pete Thomas

On Nov. 4, a distance swimmer was bitten by a shark off Del Mar and hospitalized. Lyn Jutronich told NBC San Diego that the shark shook briefly before releasing its grip. Jutronich was hospitalized and treated for puncture wounds to her right thigh.

The type of shark was not confirmed, but it was presumed to be a juvenile white shark.

On Nov. 6, the Torrey Pines reserve posted a Facebook image of a white shark in a wave.

The Facebook post advertised the presence of sharks and listed spots from which they might be seen: Yucca Point, Razor Point and the Guy Fleming overlooks.

“For best results, plan your trip before 11 a.m. and during high tide,” the Torrey Pines reserve advised. “Sunglasses with polarized lenses and binoculars both also help.”

To be sure, the temporary white shark aggregation site at Torrey Pines is substantial.

Chris Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at California State University Long Beach, told FTW Outdoors that several white sharks tagged off Southern California in recent years are in the area.

“We’ve detected 31 tagged juvenile white sharks (in the last month) out the 62 tagged at Solana Beach, Del Mar and Torrey Pines over the last three years,” Lowe said. “We’ve seen up to 12 sharks in a single drone video frame at Torrey Pines in the last few months.

“This is now the largest aggregation since the Santa Barbara aggregation has broken down.”

It’s not clear how long the sharks will remain in the area.

Great white sharks now a tourist attraction at San Diego beach

Great white sharks have become a tourist attraction at Torrey Pines State Beach north of San Diego.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and State Beach is known for its sweeping views of the Pacific. Migrating whales are sometimes spotted in the distance.

But these days great white sharks are the premier attraction for some hikers at the reserve near San Diego. Dozens of juvenile white sharks have spent the summer and early fall off Torrey Pines and Del Mar, just to the north.

The sharks have been feeding on stingrays and other bottom fishes, keeping a fairly low profile until recently.

Anglers began to hook them and on Oct. 30 the carcass of an 8-foot white shark was discovered on the shore at Torrey Pines. The shark died as a result of fishing activity. (White sharks are protected and targeting them while fishing is illegal.)

On Nov. 4, a distance swimmer was bitten by a shark off Del Mar and hospitalized. Lyn Jutronich told NBC San Diego that the shark shook briefly before releasing its grip. Jutronich was hospitalized and treated for puncture wounds to her right thigh.

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The type of shark was not confirmed, but it was presumed to be a juvenile white shark.

On Nov. 6, the Torrey Pines reserve posted a Facebook image of a white shark in a wave. The image was captured via cellphone from the bluff at Yucca Point.

View from the Guy Fleming trail at Torrey Pines. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

The Facebook post advertised the presence of sharks and listed spots from which they might be seen: Yucca Point, Razor Point and the Guy Fleming overlooks.

(Personal note: I observed at least four white sharks two weeks ago from the Guy Fleming North Grove trail. There was a field trip in progress and several children also saw the sharks.)

“For best results, plan your trip before 11 a.m. and during high tide,” the Torrey Pines reserve advised. “Sunglasses with polarized lenses and binoculars both also help.”

To be sure, the temporary white shark aggregation site at Torrey Pines is substantial.

Chris Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at California State University Long Beach, told FTW Outdoors that several white sharks tagged off Southern California in recent years are in the area.

“We’ve detected 31 tagged juvenile white sharks (in the last month) out the 62 tagged at Solana Beach, Del Mar and Torrey Pines over the last three years,” Lowe said. “We’ve seen up to 12 sharks in a single drone video frame at Torrey Pines in the last few months.

“This is now the largest aggregation since the Santa Barbara aggregation has broken down.”

It’s not clear how long the sharks will remain in the area.

–Top image courtesy of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and State Beach

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Woman bitten by presumed great white shark off Del Mar, Ca

A 50-year-old woman was bitten by a shark while swimming Friday morning at Del Mar, Calif., prompting authorities to close the beach to surfing and swimming.

A 50-year-old woman was bitten by a shark Friday morning while swimming in Del Mar, Calif., prompting authorities to close the area to surfing and swimming.

The unidentified woman was bitten on the upper thigh and treated by lifeguards before being taken to a hospital, where she was listed in stable condition.

According to NBC News, lifeguards used a float tube and swim fins to assist the woman.

RELATED: In San Diego, a dead great white shark and a plea to anglers

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that lifeguards saw the woman and her companion waving their arms to request assistance.

The incident occurred near 17th Street at about 10 a.m.

It was not immediately clear what type of shark bit the woman, but the several juvenile great white sharks have been feeding in the area, just beyond the surf, for weeks.

Last Sunday, the carcass of an 8-foot white shark was discovered on the beach at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and Beach, just south of Del Mar.

The shark is believed to have died of wounds caused by fishing activity.

The beach closure at 17th Street will remain in effect until 9 a.m. Sunday.

–Image shows the coastline of Del Mar as seen from Torrey Pines State Beach. Credit: ©Pete Thomas

Flightline’s absurd 20-length victory at Del Mar Pacific Classic has horse racing fans in awe

The only horse in the frame…for half the race. This was Secretariat-like.

You know you’re witnessing a blowout race when there’s only one horse in the broadcast frame coming down the stretch.

When there’s only one horse in the frame at the midway through the race? That’s when you know you’re watching history. At Saturday’s TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar, Flightline did just that, finishing the 1.5-mile dirt track in an astounding 1:59.28—barely missing out on the track record by a tenth of a second.

But it’s not just the how fast Flightline ran. It’s how quickly he pulled away from the field. The the huge morning line favorite (1/5) was able to essentially jog to the finish line without any competition.

It’s a race that looks even wilder that it sounds.

It’s a $600,000 payday out of the $1 million purse for trainer John W. Sadler’s undefeated colt.

Race fans couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

Watch: Great white shark grabs spotlight at popular surf spot

A 12-year-old surfer has shared video footage showing a great white shark breaching just beyond where she and her brother were riding waves.

A 12-year-old surfer has shared footage showing a great white shark breaching just beyond where she and her brother were riding waves in San Diego County.

Kaydn Persidok, of Encinitas, posted the footage to Instagram on Tuesday. It shows Kaydn and her brother Reef ripping small waves when, at 27 seconds, a juvenile white shark leaps clear of the surface.

“Anybody else feel a little sharky vibe yesterday out in the lineup?” Kaydn wrote.

The footage was captured at Seaside Reef, a North San Diego County spot popular among up-and-coming stars. Kaydn, who is part of the USA Surfing Olympic Development Team, recalled her experience to The CW San Diego:

“A little while before we saw the shark breach, my friend said she saw something that looked like a shark swim right under her, and right then it got suspicious! The water was a little murky because of the rain and it just felt sharky. Then as we saw it breach my heart raced and I was amazed and stunned but also a bit scared because it wasn’t too far away from us!”

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Kaydn added: “I respect the ocean and all the wildlife and creatures in it! I think it’s really cool to see a shark breach while a surfer is riding a wave! I’ve never seen that before.”

Juvenile white sharks have been spotted sporadically for the past several months close to San Diego beaches, especially the Del Mar area.

Chris Lowe, who runs the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach, told FTW Outdoors:

“We’ve still got a dozen or so juvenile white sharks hanging out at Del Mar. Some have been there almost a year now.”

Juvenile white sharks, which can measure 10-plus feet, prey mostly on stingrays and other bottom fishes and are most commonly seen along the Southern California coast in summer and early fall.

COVID-19 outbreak among jockeys leads to Del Mar canceling weekend racing

It was a matter of time before the horse racing authorities in Southern California made the call. With jockey after jockey testing positive for COVD-19, the racing had to stop. Del Mar made the prudent call Wednesday, announcing it will not race …

It was a matter of time before the horse racing authorities in Southern California made the call. With jockey after jockey testing positive for COVD-19, the racing had to stop.

Del Mar made the prudent call Wednesday, announcing it will not race this Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. And it is not only a smart move, it is the only move.

Del Mar’s Saturday card was 11 races, including the California debut of Maximum Security, the champion 3-year-old male of 2019, in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap.

Five jockeys who raced at Los Alamitos, another SoCal track, tested positive after riding there July 4. Triple Crown-winning jockey Victor Espinoza has tested positive. Flavian Plat, another top jockey, has tested positive along with Umberto Rispoli, Agapito Delgadillo, and Drayden Van Dyke.

The meeting is being held without on-track customers and with a limited number of employees on-site.