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The San Diego Coast is world famous for its mild year-round climate. This 50-mile stretch of coastline, from the U.S. Marine Corps base at Camp Pendleton to the Mexican border, contains some of California’s most interesting and rare examples of natural and cultural heritage.
South Carlsbad State Beach has historically been described as “cobble beach.” Sand periodically buries the natural seawall of cobblestones for long periods of time. But changing weather and water currents, along with the nearby dredging of Agua Hedionda Lagoon, affect the beach composition.
The beach features swimming, surfing, skin diving, fishing and picnicking. The large bluff-top campground is very popular, especially in summer. Stairs lead to the beach.
Getting There
South Carlsbad State Beach is reached by exiting Interstate 5 at Palomar Airport Road in the City of Carlsbad and heading south along the Pacific Coast Highway (Carlsbad Blvd). For more information, call (760) 438-3143
The beach is located 3 miles south of Carlsbad on Carlsbad Blvd. Take Interstate 5, exit Poinsettia Ln. Go west to Carlsbad Blvd. Turn right (north) onto Carlsbad Blvd. Make a legal U-Turn at Breakwater Rd. (First Light). Drive south on CARLSBAD BLVD. Continue to campground entrance on right.
NOTE: The campground entrance is not accessible directly from Poinsettia Ln. Drivers must continue north on Carlsbad Blvd and make the first legal U-Turn at Breakwater Rd.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
South Carlsbad State Beach is reached by exiting Interstate 5 at Palomar Airport Road in the City of Carlsbad and heading south along the Pacific Coast Highway (Carlsbad Blvd). For more information, call (760) 438-3143
The beach is located 3 miles south of Carlsbad on Carlsbad Blvd. Take Interstate 5, exit Poinsettia Ln. Go west to Carlsbad Blvd. Turn right (north) onto Carlsbad Blvd. Make a legal U-Turn at Breakwater Rd. (First Light). Drive south on CARLSBAD BLVD. Continue to campground entrance on right.
NOTE: The campground entrance is not accessible directly from Poinsettia Ln. Drivers must continue north on Carlsbad Blvd and make the first legal U-Turn at Breakwater Rd.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Operating Hours & Contact
The park is open from dawn until sunset. Hours may change so please call the park before visiting.
Telephone: 760-438-3143
The park is open from dawn until sunset. Hours may change so please call the park before visiting.
Telephone: 760-438-3143
Camping
The park has 220 campsites and two day-use areas. Ponto Day-Use Area, south of the campground, has restroom facilities and requires a parking fee.
Make Campground Reservations
The park has 220 campsites and two day-use areas. Ponto Day-Use Area, south of the campground, has restroom facilities and requires a parking fee.
Make Campground Reservations
Programs
Various Campfire Programs, Junior Ranger Programs, and Nature Walks may be offered; check signs posted on the restrooms and at the entrance station regarding park information during your visit.
Various Campfire Programs, Junior Ranger Programs, and Nature Walks may be offered; check signs posted on the restrooms and at the entrance station regarding park information during your visit.
General Park Regulations
This list of regulations is intended to make your camping stay here a more enjoyable experience. Anytime during your stay, if you need assistance, please contact our staff and they will be glad to help.
•Check in time is at 2pm each day. Fees include entry for one vehicle and one legally towed vehicle or trailer. Additional vehicles must register and pay additional fees. (CURRENTLY, $12.00 EACH VEHICLE)
•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 10pm.
•Quiet hours are 10pm - 6am. Visitors not staying overnight must be out by 10pm.
•Generator hours are NOT allowed from 8pm until 10am.
•Campsites are limited to 8 people maximum and is designed for individual family use. Large groups may require a special event permit.
•Campsites are limited to 3 vehicles. There is no parking for more vehicles. A trailer is counted as a vehicle. Park out of roadway behind site number, to allow emergency vehicle access.
•Animals must be on a leash less than 6 feet at all times may not be left outside at night and are prohibited on the beach.
•Alcohol and glass containers are NOT allowed on the beach or beyond your campsite.
•All park plants are protected. Do not cut or attach items, such as ropes, to any plants.
•Maximum stay during High Season (March -November) is 7 nights. All persons and equipment must vacate for a minimum of 48 hours before beginning another stay.
•Park Road separates Oceanfront (premium) sites from Inland sites. Ocean sites are on a bluff overlooking beach. Stairs to beach. Sites have no shade.
•Kiosk hours: High season 8am - 10pm. Low season 8am - 8pm.
•Accessible campsites are paved and may have limited area for tents.
This list of regulations is intended to make your camping stay here a more enjoyable experience. Anytime during your stay, if you need assistance, please contact our staff and they will be glad to help.
•Check in time is at 2pm each day. Fees include entry for one vehicle and one legally towed vehicle or trailer. Additional vehicles must register and pay additional fees. (CURRENTLY, $12.00 EACH VEHICLE)
•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 10pm.
•Quiet hours are 10pm - 6am. Visitors not staying overnight must be out by 10pm.
•Generator hours are NOT allowed from 8pm until 10am.
•Campsites are limited to 8 people maximum and is designed for individual family use. Large groups may require a special event permit.
•Campsites are limited to 3 vehicles. There is no parking for more vehicles. A trailer is counted as a vehicle. Park out of roadway behind site number, to allow emergency vehicle access.
•Animals must be on a leash less than 6 feet at all times may not be left outside at night and are prohibited on the beach.
•Alcohol and glass containers are NOT allowed on the beach or beyond your campsite.
•All park plants are protected. Do not cut or attach items, such as ropes, to any plants.
•Maximum stay during High Season (March -November) is 7 nights. All persons and equipment must vacate for a minimum of 48 hours before beginning another stay.
•Park Road separates Oceanfront (premium) sites from Inland sites. Ocean sites are on a bluff overlooking beach. Stairs to beach. Sites have no shade.
•Kiosk hours: High season 8am - 10pm. Low season 8am - 8pm.
•Accessible campsites are paved and may have limited area for tents.
Accessible Features
Camping
Accessible campsites are available. Most sites are paved, level, spacious and have accessibly designed tables. Paved tent spaces do not allow use of stakes. Restrooms with showers are accessible, including adjacent parking. A campfire center is accessibly designed.
Make Campground Reservations
Camp Store/Park Office: Store, office, laundry and vending machines are now accessible with accessible parking.
Picnic Area
The Ponto Day Use picnic areas include several accessibly designed tables and usable barbecue grills. Parking includes accessible spaces. Restroom and rinsing showers are accessible at South Ponto, and a no-flush restroom is accessible at North Ponto.
Beach/Shore Access
Stairs from campground to the beach are now accessible. A route from the Ponto Picnic Area to the beach is also accessible. Parking in the day use area is accessible. A beach wheelchair is available. Call (760) 753-5091 for information.
Other Information
Several beach overlook vistas are located along the bluffs in the Ponto campground area. They are generally on accessible routes and have room to maneuver.
Camping
Accessible campsites are available. Most sites are paved, level, spacious and have accessibly designed tables. Paved tent spaces do not allow use of stakes. Restrooms with showers are accessible, including adjacent parking. A campfire center is accessibly designed.
Make Campground Reservations
Camp Store/Park Office: Store, office, laundry and vending machines are now accessible with accessible parking.
Picnic Area
The Ponto Day Use picnic areas include several accessibly designed tables and usable barbecue grills. Parking includes accessible spaces. Restroom and rinsing showers are accessible at South Ponto, and a no-flush restroom is accessible at North Ponto.
Beach/Shore Access
Stairs from campground to the beach are now accessible. A route from the Ponto Picnic Area to the beach is also accessible. Parking in the day use area is accessible. A beach wheelchair is available. Call (760) 753-5091 for information.
Other Information
Several beach overlook vistas are located along the bluffs in the Ponto campground area. They are generally on accessible routes and have room to maneuver.
Park News Alert
Service Reductions
California State Parks is implementing service reductions in order to meet Department budget cuts this fiscal year. Service reductions implemented Fall 2009 through Summer 2010 include one “loop” of the campground closed October 2009 - February 2010, day-use parking at South Ponto by automatic pay machine only, facilities maintenance reduced 50%, including trash cleanup, and reduced lifeguard service. Visitors are encouraged to 'Pack it in, Pack it out', so the beach remains free of trash. These service reductions are designed to ensure that California State Parks achieve cost savings, minimize disruption to visitors as much as possible, and maintain revenue at the highest level possible.
Service Reductions
California State Parks is implementing service reductions in order to meet Department budget cuts this fiscal year. Service reductions implemented Fall 2009 through Summer 2010 include one “loop” of the campground closed October 2009 - February 2010, day-use parking at South Ponto by automatic pay machine only, facilities maintenance reduced 50%, including trash cleanup, and reduced lifeguard service. Visitors are encouraged to 'Pack it in, Pack it out', so the beach remains free of trash. These service reductions are designed to ensure that California State Parks achieve cost savings, minimize disruption to visitors as much as possible, and maintain revenue at the highest level possible.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
South Carlsbad State Beach
This San Diego beach is popular for surfing, fishing, skin diving and camping. This guide takes you from end to end.
This San Diego beach is popular for surfing, fishing, skin diving and camping. This guide takes you from end to end.
Easy
3.9 mi/
6.3 km
6.3 km
Guides
This San Diego beach is popular for surfing, fishing, skin diving and camping. This guide takes you from end to end.
Community Trips
created a route to cover all the trails around the tomato field including the beach portion. then returned to the trail head and went north to discover the hidden freshwater lagoon where we canoed the length and back. very thrilling!
Reviews
