San Elijo State Beach
High Traffic Alert
This park experiences heavy crowds, especially on weekends.
Check out the similar parks below for a better experience
Very crowded, parking fills up early
Best: Visit in off-season or try alternatives
Located between Encinitas and Cardiff-by-the-Sea, San Elijo offers dramatic bluff-top camping with oceanfront sites overlooking some of North County San Diego's best surf breaks. The beach is popular with surfers, swimmers, and snorkelers. A reef creates tide pools teeming with marine life. The campground perches atop sandstone cliffs, with stairs leading to the beach. A section of the California Coastal Trail runs through the park. The park sits along the Pacific Flyway, making it excellent for bird watching during migration.
Accepted Passes
Try These Instead
These parks offer similar experiences with fewer crowds
Bolsa Chica State Beach
Beach and wetlands combination - surfing, RV camping, and premier birdwatching.
Why go: Similar coastal scenery, swimming, surfing experience
Around 65 miles away
