Located on the San Diego Coast, San Elijo Campground offers camping, swimming, surfing, showers and picnicking. The narrow, bluff-backed stretch of sand has a nearby reef popular with snorkelers and divers.

A camp store and snack bar located near the campground entrance operates March through December and provides all the amenities a camper may need including some RV supplies, boogie boards, and firewood.

This San Elijo camping destination requires reservations for its 171 campsites.

San Elijo State Beach

Spent our first night in our van here. Had to make a reservation. Couldn't get a beach side site. There's a north side and a south side to the campground. The south side is busier. There's an amphitheater at the south end. The sites also seemed closer together on that end. On the beach side, there is plenty of space, but not so much shade. The highway side has more trees, but some sites seem smaller and packed in. You really need to look around for a good site because a lot of gems were mixed with OK sites, but I would start on the north side. Being close to the highway, there will be a lot of traffic noise if you are in a tent. Plenty of access to a stairway leading to the beach. Shower and surf rack at one access. Campground is up on a bluff, overlooking the Pacific ocean. Camp store seemed stocked. Plenty of stores nearby if you need anything not there. Plenty of restaurants, coffee shops and quaint stores up the highway in downtown Encinitas.

Life is good on the beach!

Perched on Another cliff overlooking the pacific this spot is one of my 3 favorites for surfing. I use a Westy here and the facilities are great it has privacy planting a which are nice and mature btw the sites. 
And the beach access is phenomenal. 
Oh wait I forgot they have the best Mexican aside from Waitsfield VT (the Mad Taco) so if you don't want to roast some grub over an open firepit, again while overlooking the pacific, then you're in luck.  But if you are not in the mood for Mexican you can walk across the street and get sick coffee from a phenomenal hipster joint that roasts their own as well as a dozen other places from Asian to Italian. And then hit Patagonia for an epic cultivated selection of surfboards as well as all their clothes. 
You might also get to see some folks doing a  handmade wooden surfboard clinic. 


California jem

There is one reason to camp here, and one reason only. It is overlooking the ridiculously beautiful San Elijo State Beach & out over the Pacific Ocean. That's a pretty compelling reason.

As a campground they pack you in tight. It's essentially a huge parking lot overlooking the ocean and covered in sand. There isn't much shade but if you can get a spot with a tree...do it (campsites in the 20's generally do). Otherwise it's one big family of rv's with massive generators, kids of all ages running around and drunken adults giving over to trailer park life for a bit. It's right off the Pacific Coast Highway in the town of Cardiff so expect traffic, both car and people. This isn't gettin' back to nature.

There are plenty of bathrooms with token showers. The beach showers have been turned off due to water restrictions. The bathrooms are usually stocked but pretty dirty and even gross. Definitely pack flip flops if you're going to use the showers. The Campground is the main access to the beach for the town of Cardiff so the gates are open to anyone walking through until about 7pm. That means the bathrooms see lots of action from locals and hoboes in addition to campers.

With all those sounding like negatives you might wonder why you'd want to stay here, and the answer is simple. There are moments, usually around sunset, when you can close your eyes, and when you open them the sky is orange, pink and red. The ocean turning from blue to shadow and everyone seems to shut the eff up for a moment where you swear you're alone in the universe. Then you drink a beer and breath the ocean air in deep and are able to ignore the little kid taking a dump in the bush two campsites over.

Pro-Tip: Patagonia is right across the street. Every Sunday Morning they host a "Sea Ramble" coffee & donuts bike ride. About 10 miles and a great way to see Cardiff and Encinitas. They also host weekly events...usually with beer.

Pro-Tip 2: Traffic will suck.

Pro-Tip 3: Haggo's Tacos, Haggo's Tacos, Haggo's Tacos. It's about 10 minutes north on the PCH. 

Like Sardines in Paradise.

I mean it's beach camping. Not the greatest of campsites but you're right on the 101 and right on the beach so what more could you want from that?

People aren't generally too noisy after dark. 

Make sure you make a reservation and put up your rain fly unless you like being really dal in the morning (honestly you'll probably be damp either way).



Beach camping

I live in the area, but since we love camping, we will sometimes camp down the street because it's fun. This isn't the type of experience where you get away from it all...the campground is on coast highway, there's a taco stand within the grounds and a strip mall across the street. However, if you love the ocean and want to hang at the beach all day, you'll love it here.

Our camp site was on the street side, the beach side is better, but we took what we could get in the summer. There are rings and a table, the bathrooms and showers are nearby and well maintained. Be advised that there is a lot of concrete so you won't be tenting it on the sand. This campground is always full and crowded, but you can't beat being right on the beach.

Beachfront campground, pristine ocean views

Doesn't get better than this. Perfect location. Close to the train tracks is romantic but loud

Perfect location 

Campground is situated next to the highway and train tracks.  No shade. Friendly beach crowd. Taco stand. I arrived on a Thursday and the campground was already filling up for the weekend. I was riding a recumbent trike and paid $10 to camp for the night.  If you just need a place to pitch a tent for the night or park an RV while you hit the beach or explore nearby cities, then this is your spot.

Noisy Location

Showers worked decently. We were close to the street where starting at first light people are walking dogs and chatting. You can hear the train go by too. We are good sleepers so it was fine for us and the price and location can’t be beat!

Parking lot for RVs and tent camping

This spot is awesome. Especially if you score some good surf. The facilities are always clean. All types of camping are welcome here. Whether that be RV, tent, bike packing, or out of the back of your truck which is my personal favorite. The sunsets are out of this world and the beach is clean. Tends to be very busy especially in the summer months. My tip is to book way ahead in advance. 

You won’t regret it 

The good. Pick a spot - $75 gets you on the bluff with hookups $50 gets you on the bluff but no hookups $35 gets you on the other side Trash, recycling, and sewage disposal ($10) nearby. Water quality at the hookup sites smell fresh.

The not as good. Although ocean bluff spots cost you the elevation angle of the site lot or vegetation may impede or restrict your view. There’s also a metal fence.

The bathrooms Bring soap. No dispensers near the sinks. Toilets are cleaned but not necessarily clean.

Stuff to know- If you’re towing a vehicle it has to be literally towed onto the property. Don’t disconnect and go get groceries prior to entering or you’ll have to pay $15 a night for the vehicle once you enter (Or take your rig back out back out and tow it in)

Noise and such.

You’re near tracks and you’ll hear trains. Next to US 101 you’ll also hear cars. It’s a busy area so don’t expect to hear just the crickets.

Recommendations There’s an excellent grocery store (Seaside Deli) about 1 mile away. It’s not cheap but the deli uses culinary experts to prepare the cuisine.

Philz Coffee a couple miles north. It’s the best coffee on earth bar none. Get the “Tesora”. Addiction guaranteed.

The Union restaurant a couple miles north also a good spot for Sunday brunch. Wine Wednesday also gets a recommendation.

Also just north in Encinitas- Plumeria Thai has some of the best vegetarian Thai I’ve ever had.

To the south a couple miles in Solana Beach in Cedros is Carruth Cellars winery. It’s dog friendly so bring your good boy/girl! I recommend the “Unicorn”. Tasty red. Drink with one hand while petting a dog with the other…

Close to pretty much everything 

San Elijo is located on a bluff overlooking the beach. There are over 100 sites available that range from hookups to dry. The price is from $55 - $75 a night. The bathrooms and showers are clean. The only downside is the proximity to pacific coast highway and the train tracks. Although I didn't hear the train at all at night.

  

Cell Coverage: Excellent

Surfers Dream

Great place, family has camped here for 24 years. 
Upper camp area: on the bluff, less populated and a  little more quiet than lower camp area. Lower camp area leveled shoreline and  can get very crowded.  
Flushing toilets and hot showers. 
Some sites are: big, medium and small; right next to each and a little distance; and beach side or inland. Keep in mind, train runs by, and while it is across pch, inland sites can hear the train roar!! 

Great place to surf as well in both directions! 

Great restaurants, across the street and in town. Great gourmet grocery store across the street too! 



Family fun

We try to come here as much as possible.  Great beach spot close to everything.  I could do without the train.  And watch out for the sting rays

Great 

We liked this campground because the beach is literally right there under your nose! Just a few steps down the stairs. There are showers to wash the sand off your feet. We camped on the ocean side so listening to the waves at night was lovely. It is a crowded campground with spaces so close together you can hear everything from your neighbor. Fun location as just across the street is the charming community of Cardiff. Amazing swanky Seaside Market, quirky thrift shop and great VG's donuts.

Beach Camping in cute community

Campsites can get pretty packed, although some sites offer more privacy than others. Bathrooms are stocked and the whole campground is well taken care of. Need to book far in advance most of the year but you can get a site in the fall/winter fairly easy. Across the street there is shopping, seaside market, food spots and shanty or office for evening drinks.

We'll maintained beach side camping

The San Elijo Campsite, SoCal is an awesome destination for everyone. Especially, camping beginners, family camping with kids, and surfers of all levels. 

The campsites are located atop a beachside bluff for some spectacular sunsets, checking the surf and people watching. The rangers are awesome and super friendly. The campsite store is convenient but if you need something you can drive to a Ralph’s grocery store in 5 minutes. 

Facilities include: bathrooms, showers, hookups, etc... this place has it all. 

Have fun. Go surfing 

Pitch Your Tent & Surf

It is very nice to hear the waves while falling a sleep, and feeling the ocean breeze while sitting on a folding chair in shade. But it would be great if there were electrical outlets on every other campsite and soap dispenser in the restrooms , otherwise it is so very nice and relaxing here and looking forward to many trips here .

Camping at San Alijo camp grounds 

This campground sits adjacent to the Pacific in Cardiff. Amazing sunsets and very popular with the surfers. Try to get an ocean view site further from Highway 101 so you don’t hear the traffic as much. This was a challenge for us because many of the ocean view sites were empty during our stay but unusable because they were reserved by no shows. 

Hot showers are available. 1 token is 50 cents and gives you 2 minutes. Purchase tokens from the Ranger’s office at the entrance.  Hopefully they've fixed the shower that ate my tokens and didn't produce any water by the time you stay! 

The campground is walkable to a descent grocery store as well as cafes across the street if you don't want to cook over the campfire. For yummy eats, be sure to check out Ki's or Las Olas just to the south of the campground, both have outdoor seating and takeout options.

Ocean Views

Beach views possible on West row, semi private with greenery around spots, staff was friendly and helpful, beach access is a long staircase. Very affordable but no Wi-Fi and Verizon signal was bad for us at least. Quite a bit of noise from the road and train if you are on the east row. 

Clean, beach, no signals

Fun beachside campground in Cardiff by the Sea, California. Not quiet or remote at all. Nice local market and lots of restaurants nearby. Great surf spot. I’ve dry camped here many times and have always enjoyed it. Dog friendly beach! *on leash

Great beach camping!

Really fun campground, right along the beach, and right across the street from plenty of places to eat and shop. Rangers are really nice and helpful, showers are clean, a little worn out but high pressure and REALLY hot. You buy tokens from the ranger.

  

 Dump station isn’t free for campers, it’s $10 or$15, payable by credit card at the dump station. There’s potable water to fill your tanks at the dump station as well. Dogs are not allowed on the beach, but they are allowed south of Tower 16, which is at the south end of the campground. They must be leashed here. 

  

Good cell reception for ATT and Verizon. There is a mixed recycling bin here as well as a bin for food compost. Would definitely recommend a site along the water, even though it’s $20/night more than the roadside sites, it’s so much nicer.

beautiful

Amazing site in a little town with all you need for a weekend getaway… just at the sea, nice food, great beach and surfing possibilities for the entire family. Best of all, the staff of the Camp is so friendly and helpfull. Thanks