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People
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Water
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Facilities

Established Camping

San Elijo State Beach

36 Reviews

Closed For the Season

This campground is closed for the season from November 24, 2023 through May 4, 2024.

Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect

There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

<p>California State Parks wants to thank our park visitors for helping us keep our parks and environment clean. In 2018, State Parks installed new RV dump station collection systems at ten state park units as part of a pilot program to help us protect the environment and are added amenities for our visitors.&nbsp;</p> <p>Following the success of the initial pilot program in 2018, an additional eleven park units have been added to the program.&nbsp; The service is available for campers, day-use or transient visitors for $10-$20 per use, depending on the location. Please note that visitors with current reservations arriving on or after April 13, 2021, who are interested in using the RV dump stations may be required to pay the use fee. The price per campsite for these state parks does not include the use of a dump station.&nbsp; View the following link: &nbsp;<a href="https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1029">Camping Information</a></p>

South Carlsbad and San Elijo State Beach enforce the following consecutive and maximum stay limits: March to November customers are allowed but may not exceed 7 consecutive nights per customer and/or vehicle license plate. December to February customers are allowed but may not exceed 14 consecutive nights per customer and/or vehicle license plate. There is a 48 hour required stay gap between reservations that have met the consecutive stay limits. Additionally, there is an annual maximum of 30 nights per calendar year at each park that cannot be exceeded per customer and/or license. Staff have restricted access and cannot accommodate any requests to exceed these limits.

About

State Park

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.

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Alcohol

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Rent an RV near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California

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Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

36 Reviews

Niels E. Bidstrup W.
Reviewed Oct. 7, 2023

Best experience in California

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

Site67
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Niels E. Bidstrup W., October 7, 2023
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Niels E. Bidstrup W., October 7, 2023
Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Apr. 8, 2023

beautiful

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.

Site41
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Laura M., April 8, 2023
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Laura M., April 8, 2023
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Laura M., April 8, 2023
  • (13) View All
Jason L.
Reviewed Nov. 15, 2022

Great beach camping!

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

Site77
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Jason L., November 15, 2022
  • Review photo of San Elijo State Beach by Jason L., November 15, 2022

Location

San Elijo State Beach is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

San Elijo State Beach extends along Coast Highway 101, 3/4 mile north from San Elijo Lagoon's entrance channel, near the community of Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Exit Interstate 5 at Encinitas Blvd., head WEST. Turn LEFT on So. Coast Hwy. Follow the Coast Hwy. south, about 2 miles.

Address

2050 So Coast Hwy 101
Cardiff, CA 92007

Coordinates

33.023017 N
117.285286 W

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