San Elijo State Beach
Ryan W.
Reviewed Jul. 29, 2016

Like Sardines in Paradise.

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.

  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Ryan W., July 29, 2016
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Ryan W., July 29, 2016
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Ryan W., July 29, 2016
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Ryan W., July 29, 2016
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Ryan W., July 29, 2016
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Ryan W., July 29, 2016
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Ryan W., July 29, 2016
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Ryan W., July 29, 2016
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Ryan W., July 29, 2016
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Ryan W., July 29, 2016
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Ryan W., July 29, 2016
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  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Ryan W., July 29, 2016
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Ryan W., July 29, 2016
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Ryan W., July 29, 2016