San Elijo State Beach

Copyright: California State Parks Coastal view of San Elijo State Beach

Attractions - Located on the San Diego Coast, San Elijo State Beach offers swimming, surfing and picnicking. The narrow, bluff-backed stretch of sand has a nearby reef popular with snorkelers and divers.

Recreation - San Elijo State Beach offers swimming, surfing and picnicking, as well as, snorkeling, diving and camping.
Campground Rehabilitation - Temporary Closure: The rehabilitation of San Elijo State Beach facilities will cause temporary closure of the park in the fall and winter. Work is tentatively set to begin in mid-October and be completed by Memorial Weekend, year 2000. Though the main entrance to the park will be closed during rehabilitation, a separate Day Use entrance will be installed during the first 30 days of work, and will remain after the rehabilitation.

1. Campers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, or provide upon arrival a letter from a parent granting permission to camp. All
juveniles must be in their own campsite after 10 pm.
2. Quiet hours are 10 pm - 6 am. Visitors not staying overnight must be out by 10 pm.
3. Campsite is limited to 8 people maximum and is designed for individual family use. Large groups require a special event permit.
4. Take precautions to prevent theft by securing property.
5. Campsite is limited to 3 vehicles, including a trailer. There is no parking in the area for more vehicles.
6. The camping fee includes entry for 1 vehicle and one legally towed vehicle or trailer. The park staff will collect fees for each extra vehicle.
7. Dogs are $1 per night, must be on a leash less than 6 feet at all times, and prohibited on beach and outside at night.
8. Campsite assignment is by random drawing during summer season and holidays.
9. Maximum stay during High Season (June - September) is 7 nights. All persons and equipment must vacate for a minimum of 48 hours before beginning another stay.
10. Park Road separates Oceanfront sites from Inland sites. Ocean sites are on a bluff overlooking beach. Stairs to beach. Sites have no shade.
11. Entrance Station hours: 7 am - 10 pm all year.

Climate - A warm, dry Mediterranean climate prevails over Southern California - inland it is hot in the summer, mild in the winter. Coastal areas have a more moderate climate with frequent fog in the summer. Most of the precipitation comes as rain during the winter months.

Location - The beach extends along old Highway 101 (Route S21) 3/4 mile north from San Elijo Lagoon's entrance channel, near the community of Cardiff-by-the-Sea.