Bengals’ quarterback Carson Palmer buys Balboa Lot in Del Mar

By Marlena Chavira-Medford

Staff Writer

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer is the new owner of the Balboa Lot, a coveted 22,000-square foot plot with sweeping views of the sea and lagoon that Del Mar auctioned off in September.

Palmer, who is also a former Heisman Trophy winner, made the winning bid via a representative back in September. Palmer’s name had been kept under wraps during escrow, though Friday a Del Mar city official confirmed he is the owner.

Palmer, who has lived in Del Mar for at least a year, purchased the lot located at 2160 Balboa Ave. for $4.4 million. Del Mar plans to use that money to pay off a $3.25 million debt on the Shores property, a park it financed in 2008. The extra money from the sale will be put toward funding a new lifeguard center, the city spokesperson said.