Caution
High Hazard
Extreme
Active/Upcoming Event
San Elijo State Beach
San Elijo State Beach is a long beach that takes up most of the oceanfont land in the community of Cardiff-by-the-Sea in Encinitas, CA. This state park has a large campground facility and a day-use parking area at the north end as well. Several long stairways and ramps lead from the parking areas and camp spots on the bluff down to the narrow sandy beach. Swimming here can be dangerous so look for rip currents and know what to do if you get caught in one. Surfers are the biggest users of San Elijo State Beach and Cardiff State Beach which is just south of here. March-October there is a store in operation near the park entrance that offers rentals, sundries, and food. There is even a Mexican restaurant on-site, but it’s open year-round! The San Elijo State Beach entrance is on the southbound lanes of the 101 near the intersection with Chesterfield Drive. At this intersection there is a famous bronze statue of a surfer that is nicknamed the Cardiff Kook by locals who say the man looks more like a ballet dancer than an experienced surfer. This statue is often dressed up or messed up in some way.
amenities
BBQ Grills
Metered Parking
Picnic
Restrooms
Showers
Accessibility Mat
activities
Fishing
Surfing
Swimming
Camping
prohibitions
No Alcohol
No Cars on Sand
No Dogs
No Fire Pits
No Smoking
hazards
High Surf
Rip Currents
Stingrays
Wave Strength
Caution
There is always aquatic risk. Please check in with a lifeguard prior to swimming. Our department determines aquatic risk factors based on ocean conditions.
Stingray Activity
Unavailable
High Stingray Activity
The stingray activity is determined by how many people have been stung by stingrays on that day. When more than two beachgoers have been stung by a stingray at the same tower location a purple indicator will appear in front of the tower. The stingray activity dial adjusts based on the total stingray incidents for the entire beach.