South Carlsbad State Beach
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 10 at 1:32AM PDT until June 11 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
* WHAT...South swell from 190 degrees with a period of 18 to 20 seconds will generate surf of 4 to 7 feet with sets up to 9 feet along south-facing beaches. High rip current risk. * WHERE...San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County Coastal Areas. * WHEN...Through Thursday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Hazardous swimming conditions and a high rip current risk. If you become caught in a rip current, yell for help. Remain calm and do not exhaust yourself and stay afloat while waiting for help. If you have to swim out of a rip current, SWIM PARALLEL TO SHORE and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Highest surf will be at south-facing beaches and peak through today. Swell and surf will slowly subside beginning Thursday with a shorter period, but will remain elevated into Friday.
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.
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