San Elijo State Beach is one of the most popular places to camp along the beach in Southern California. The campground is situated in northern San Diego County in the town of Cardiff-by-the-Sea and is divided into two sections: North and South. San Elijo State Beach can best be described as a bluff-top camping destination. The beach is known for warm ocean temperatures (mid-70s in summer) and is a hotspot for surfers with famous breaks like Swami’s, Pipes, Turtles, and Cardiff Reef.
Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Downtown Cardiff-by-the-Sea is just minutes away, featuring a variety of stores and restaurants along San Elijo Avenue and Coast Highway 101. You can explore surf shops, art galleries, and souvenir stores, making it a great place for a stroll to discover hidden gems. Additionally, the Cardiff Farmers’ Market, held on Saturdays, offers a variety of local crafts and goods. There is no shortage of things to do within minutes of the San Elijo Beach State Beach campground.
San Elijo State Beach Campground
About half of the 170 campsites have uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean. Access to the beach is via wooden staircases that drop you directly onto the beach from the campground. Campsite assignments are made upon arrival unless you have reserved a specific site. Peak-season reservations are a must, but you should not have problems getting an ocean-view campsite after the busy summer.
Best Campsites: San Elijo Beach State Beach campsites 145 through 171 are all on the ocean view and in the park’s north section. Sites 1 through 43 and 47, 49, 51, 54, and 56 are also located on the park’s ocean side. The remaining campsites do not have views; many back up to Highway 101. Campsites 145 through 171, located at the north end, offer ocean views. Areas 1 through 43 and 47, 49, 51, 54, and 56 are located on the ocean side of the campground.
Campground Amenities: Includes drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers (coin-operated), a dump station, fire rings, picnic tables, and an amphitheater.
Accessibility: Six accessible campsites, plus accessible toilets and showers (though shower controls may be challenging for wheelchair users). A beach wheelchair is available at nearby Cardiff State Beach.
Pet Policy: Dogs are allowed in the campground on a leash (max 6 feet) but are prohibited on the beach north of Lifeguard Tower 16. Leashed dogs are permitted south of Tower 16.
San Elijo State Beach Nearby Campgrounds
South Carlsbad State Beach Campground (6 miles north): South Carlsbad campground offers 220 campsites, many with ocean views, and includes full hookup and non-hookup sites for RVs up to 35 feet. Amenities include restrooms, showers, a dump station, and a camp store. Similar to San Elijo, it’s popular for surfing and beach activities. South Carlsbad is less crowded than San Elijo, with similar beach access and proximity to Carlsbad’s attractions.
San Onofre State Beach, located approximately 20 miles north, features the San Onofre Bluffs Campground along the old Pacific Coast Highway. Beach access is available via trails that are steep and not wheelchair-accessible. San Mateo Campground is situated on the inland side of the San Diego Freeway and connects to Trestles Beach via a paved trail.
Doheny State Beach (approx. 30 miles north): Located in Dana Point, it features 122 campsites, including beachfront and inland sites, with some hookups. It is known for surfing, swimming, and a family-friendly vibe. Nearby, Dana Point Harbor features restaurants, whale watching, and deep-sea fishing boats. Visitors can rent stand-up paddleboards and jet skis at the marina.
Campground Reservations
Standard inland sites: $35–$50/night; inland with hookups: $60/night; oceanfront: $50–$65/night; oceanfront with hookups: $75/night; group site: $165–$400/night. Reservations are highly recommended (up to six months in advance via ReserveCalifornia.com or 1-800-444-7275) due to high demand, especially in summer. A $7.99 reservation fee applies, and cancellations incur a $7.99 fee.
Stay limits: 7 nights (March–November), 14 nights (December–February), with a 30-night annual maximum and a 48-hour gap between reservations—book early (6 months in advance) or check for cancellations at 8 AM daily on ReserveCalifornia.com.
Booking Strategy: Use ReserveCalifornia.com and check for cancellations daily at 8 AM. Consider South Carlsbad or San Onofre as alternatives if San Elijo is fully booked. The best times to visit are summer (June–September) for warm weather and lifeguard services, or early fall (October) for fewer crowds and pleasant conditions. Winter camping requires warmer clothing and thicker wetsuits for surfing.
Getting to San Elijo State Beach
San Elijo State Beach extends along Coast Highway 101, 3/4 mile north of San Elijo Lagoon’s entrance channel, near the community of Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Exit Interstate five at Encinitas Blvd., and head west. Turn left on Coast Hwy. Follow the Coast Hwy: South, about 2 miles.
Nearby Attractions
Legoland, California, is only 7 miles from San Elijo State Beach. Legoland features three attractions: the Theme Park, the Waterpark, and the Aquarium.
San Diego Botanic Garden is 4 miles from San Elijo State Park. The garden is a 35-acre paradise of garden trails featuring flowering trees, plants from all climates around the world, from desert to tropical, and the world’s most extensive bamboo collection.
Torrey Pines State Reserve is 9 miles from the State Beach with over 2,000 acres of untouched land, long stretches of beachfront, and a fantastic lagoon home to migrating birds. Visitors come from around the globe to witness the California coast as it was before the development.
Finally, San Diego is less than an hour’s drive and offers almost endless attractions.
Unable to find any camping spots on the Southern California coast for this upcoming weekend. Only requirement is tent space and dog friendly. Please let meknow if I’m just not seeing something, looks like the entire coast is reserved…
Hello Ryan
Unfortunately, all sites being reserved is not uncommon these days. Too many people, not enough campsites.
Options are few. If you miss out on a reservation there is still a chance to catch a cancellation.
Cancellations are posted online within minutes of being received. Check back early in the morning and you might luck out.
Switch to an inland campground and you should be able to get a campsite
O’Neill Regional Park is nice, lots of trails, really nice campsites.
Sorry, you have not been able to get a reservation. Keep trying and you just might snag a reservation.