South Carlsbad State Beach

Overview

South Carlsbad State Beach is a popular San Diego County coastal park located 3 miles south of Carlsbad along Carlsbad Boulevard, stretching from La Costa Avenue to Palomar Airport Road. The park is currently open dawn to sunset. It features a large, highly sought-after bluff-top campground with 220+ sites (RVs up to 35 feet, with hookups and dump station available), offering ocean views with stairs leading down to the beach. Day-use parking fees are $10 regular or $20 during peak season/weekends/holidays. The beach offers excellent swimming, surfing, skin diving, fishing, and picnicking opportunities. Note that dogs are only allowed in the campground area, NOT on the beach. Check-in time is 2:00 PM with no early check-in available. The campground entrance requires a U-turn at Breakwater Rd from Carlsbad Blvd (not directly accessible from Poinsettia Ln). On-site parking is limited, so carpooling is recommended. There's a camp store near the entrance offering food, supplies, and beach rentals. E-bike access and EV charging stations are available. Reservations through ReserveCalifornia are highly recommended, especially for summer visits, though current availability shows openings in early January 2026.