Camping at San Elijo State Beach in San Diego

Camping at San Elijo State Beach offers an incredible opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to experience San Diego’s coastal beauty up close. This beachfront campground is a local favorite for its prime location, stunning Pacific Ocean views, and accessibility to both nature and nearby attractions. Renowned for its laid-back atmosphere, family-friendly environment, and availability of diverse recreational options, it’s a must-visit destination for campers looking to enjoy Southern California's coastal charm.

Adventure Guide to Camping at San Elijo State Beach

1. Oceanfront Campsites
San Elijo State Beach’s campsites are situated directly along the coast, offering unparalleled views and easy beach access. Many of the 170 campsites are perched along the bluff, providing a front-row seat to breathtaking ocean sunsets. Each campsite includes a picnic table and fire ring, and several have hookups for RVs. Make reservations early, as these coveted sites fill up months in advance.

2. Surf and Swim-Friendly Waters
Known for consistent waves, San Elijo Beach is a hotspot for surfers. Beginners can book lessons at the Eli Howard Surf School on-site, while experienced surfers can paddle out and enjoy the breaks. Additionally, the calm waters make it an excellent spot for families to enjoy swimming or bodyboarding. Lifeguards are on duty during peak hours to ensure a safe aquatic experience.

3. Reef Exploration and Tide Pools
During low tide, explore the tide pools scattered along the shoreline. The reef area near the campground reveals a vibrant marine ecosystem with sea anemones, crabs, and small fish. It’s a favorite activity for both kids and adults.

Local Insights

The campground is conveniently located in the heart of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, a charming beachside community. Popular local spots like Seaside Market, known for its “Cardiff Crack” tri-tip, and VG Donut & Bakery are less than a mile away. Additionally, Cardiff’s scenic coastal rail trail is perfect for a leisurely stroll or bike ride near the campground.

Visitor Tips

Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
What to Bring: Camping gear, sunscreen, swimsuits, and cash for the on-site camp store.
Directions: From downtown San Diego, take I-5 N to the Encinitas Blvd exit. Travel west, then merge onto Coast Hwy 101 (approx. 30 min).

Adventure Map

Reviews

Marc P3 months ago

It was a nice day, wasn’t too busy. Fun to watch the surfers.

Shruti Bhandakkar3 years ago

Beautiful views of the Pacific! Sunset looks stunning! Waves make the best sounds! Lots of surfers, has trail for walking along the Pacific and access to beach via a stairway. Has paid public parking. Relaxing way to end a hectic day! Lots of good restaurants nearby to pick up good food.

Nicholas Pa year ago

It was a very nice beach. We came here after dinner to watch the sunset. It wasn’t busy at all. Beach was very clean. It was easy to find parking. They have restrooms as well as showers.

LaTasha Amaichigh6 years ago

Oh, Cardiff By The Sea! Such a quaint city with one of San Diego County's most beautiful beaches! Get there early if you want to have a parking space in 1 of the lots which you do have to pay for, but besides the hassle of parking, this beach is amazing and worth it! We always see such beautiful water (very clear most days), good for surfing, paddle boarding and also the kids just wadding in the water. & Dogs are welcome! We will usually come early and stay all Day to enjoy the sunset. There's some a lagoon that goes under the bridge where you can also fish. Wonderful beach!!!

Brandon Reilly2 years ago

Campground was wonderful. We had I believe one of the top 10 spots at these grounds. Our site allowed us to walk right up to tower 16 and woke up looking at tower 16 from my tent. Restrooms are kept up and cleaned daily. No drone restrictions were detected. The low tide was nice to enjoy with the kids. I recommend bringing water shoes if planning on enjoying the beaches. My children's feet were cut up pretty bad from all the hard stone and reefs in the shallows during higher tides. Also ant repellent. Lotta ants! Many of the RV and trailer campers I noticed used the ant chalk to detour them from climbing onto their campers, great idea. Also if tent camping our location the ground was extremely hard and have sturdy stakes that still were difficult to hammer down, so don't bring those cheap stakes, you might as well not even stake the tent if you do so. Our fire ring could have been cleaned out more but not a big issue.

Camping

Camping at San Elijo State Beach in San Diego