San Elijo State Beach Campground sits directly above the Pacific Ocean on a bluff in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, about 40 miles north of San Diego. With 171 campsites, famous surf breaks within walking distance, and a small beach town full of restaurants and coffee shops just across Highway 101, it is consistently one of the most in-demand campgrounds in California — and one of the hardest to book. Here is everything you need to know: the site layout, current pricing, how reservations work, the best sites to request, and what to realistically expect.
San Elijo State Beach Campground: Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Address | 2050 South Coast Highway 101, Cardiff, CA 92007 |
| Phone | 760-753-5091 |
| Total campsites | 171 (includes standard, hookup, and group sites) |
| Location | Cardiff-by-the-Sea, northern San Diego County |
| Distance from San Diego | ~40 miles north |
| Distance from Los Angeles | ~100 miles south |
| Reservations | ReserveCalifornia (reservecalifornia.com) or 1-800-444-7275 |
| Booking window | Up to 6 months in advance |
| Season | Open year-round |
| High season stay limit | 7 nights maximum (March–November) |
| Off-season stay limit | 14 nights maximum (December–February) |
| Pets | Allowed on leash in campground; NOT allowed on beach north of Tower 16 |
San Elijo State Beach Campground Pricing 2026
Campsite fees are set by California State Parks and are subject to change. The following rates are from the official California State Parks campground map:
| Site Type | Nightly Rate |
| Inland campsite (no hookup) | $50 per night |
| Ocean campsite (no hookup) | $70 per night |
| Inland hookup site | $75 per night |
| Ocean hookup site | $75 per night |
| Grunion Run group campsite (up to 40 guests) | $520 per night |
Campsite fees cover one vehicle. Additional vehicles are charged upon arrival and cannot be paid in advance. Confirm current pricing at reservecalifornia.com before booking, as rates can be adjusted seasonally.
San Elijo State Beach Campground Map: Layout and Site Locations
San Elijo State Beach Campground is divided into North and South sections, arranged in a linear layout along the coastal bluff above Highway 101. The campground map shows a single main road running through the site with campsites arranged on either side — ocean-side sites face the Pacific, inland sites back up toward Highway 101 and the active railroad.
Ocean-View Sites
The best sites for ocean views and proximity to the beach are:
- Sites 145 to 171: Located in the north section of the campground — all ocean-facing with the best unobstructed Pacific views
- Sites 1 to 43: Ocean-side sites at the south end of the campground
- Sites 47, 49, 51, 54, and 56: Additional ocean-side sites scattered through the campground
Sites in the north section (145-171) are consistently rated highest by campers for their views and proximity to both the beach access stairs and the campfire amphitheater.
Inland Sites
Inland sites back up toward Highway 101 and the Coaster railroad line. These sites are cheaper but come with significantly more road and train noise. Reviewers on TheDyrt and HipCamp consistently note that the noise from both the highway and the coastal rail line is a genuine factor on inland sites — a trade-off that is worth considering if you are a light sleeper.
Hookup Sites
Full hookup sites (electricity and water) are located in the middle section of the campground. These are designed for RVs and motorhomes — maximum length 24 feet for hookup sites, 35 feet for non-hookup sites. One reviewer on TheDyrt (August 2025) noted: the full hookup spots are in the middle of the campground, and the bushes and fences block views for sites toward the south end of the park. Ocean-side hookup sites at $75/night are worth the premium if ocean proximity matters.
Group Campsite (Grunion Run)
The Grunion Run Group Camp is a single group campsite at the south end of the campground, accommodating up to 40 guests and 2 vehicles or motorhomes. At $520 per night, it is the highest-priced option but one of the more affordable large-group beach camping options on the San Diego coast — Pelican Point group camp at a comparable beach facility charges $650 for the same 40-person capacity.
How to Reserve San Elijo State Beach Campground
Reservations at San Elijo State Beach are handled exclusively through ReserveCalifornia — the California State Parks official booking system. There is no walk-in reservation system; all sites must be booked through this system.
- Online: reservecalifornia.com — search for San Elijo State Beach and select your dates
- Phone: Call 1-800-444-7275 during business hours
- Booking window: Reservations open up to 6 months in advance of your arrival date. For a July 4 weekend, that means booking opens on or around January 4
- Be ready early: San Elijo is one of the most in-demand campgrounds in California. Summer weekends, holiday weekends (Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day), and the best ocean-view sites book out within minutes of the 6-month window opening
- Set a reminder: Mark the exact 6-month date for your intended camping weekend and be on reservecalifornia.com at exactly 8:00am Pacific Time when the window opens
- Consider shoulder season: Early June and late September are slightly easier to book than peak summer, with near-identical weather
If San Elijo is sold out for your dates, CampNab and CampScanner offer cancellation scanning services that alert you when a site opens up due to a cancellation — a legitimate way to get into overbooked state park campgrounds.
San Elijo State Beach Campground Amenities
San Elijo offers a full suite of campground facilities for a coastal state beach:
- Flush toilets and hot showers: Coin-operated hot showers available throughout the campground. Showers are consistently rated as clean and functional by recent reviewers
- Laundry facilities: On-site laundry — one of the few California state beach campgrounds with this amenity
- Dump station: For RVs and self-contained vehicles
- Fire rings and picnic tables: At every campsite
- Drinking water: Available throughout campground
- Amphitheater: For campfire programs and events
- Camp store: NOTE — multiple 2025 reviews indicate the camp store is permanently closed as of late 2025. Do not rely on the store for supplies
- Taco stand: Bull Taco, which previously operated inside the campground, closed after COVID. Reviewers note it has not returned as of late 2025
The closure of both the camp store and the in-park taco stand means planning for all supplies in advance or making a short trip across Highway 101 to Cardiff-by-the-Sea, where there are multiple grocery options, coffee shops, and restaurants within walking distance.
What Is the Beach Like at San Elijo State Beach?
The campground sits atop a coastal bluff with staircase access leading directly to the beach below. The beach is a two-mile stretch of Pacific Ocean coastline extending north from San Elijo Lagoon. Key characteristics:
- Water temperature: Mid-70s Fahrenheit in summer — warm by California coastal standards
- Surfing: World-class surf breaks nearby. Pipes, Cardiff Reef, Turtles, and Swami’s are all within the immediate area — making this campground a favorite base for surfers
- Swimming and boogie-boarding: The beach conditions are generally good for both, with consistent wave action
- Snorkeling: A rocky reef adjacent to the beach supports kelp beds and marine life — snorkelers regularly spot fish, sea lions, and occasionally dolphins offshore
- Birdwatching: San Elijo Lagoon (a short distance south) is a significant bird sanctuary with excellent birding in the mornings
- Wildlife: Dolphins and sea lions visible from the bluff; jellyfish and invertebrates at low tide; coastal prickly pear and California brittlebush in the surrounding vegetation
Dogs are allowed in the campground on leash but are NOT permitted on the beach north of Lifeguard Tower 16. Dogs are allowed on the beach south of Tower 16 on a leash — the Tower 16 boundary roughly corresponds to the southern end of San Elijo State Beach toward Cardiff State Beach.
Noise at San Elijo: What to Expect
San Elijo State Beach Campground sits in a narrow strip of land between Highway 101 and the Pacific Ocean. Immediately behind the inland sites runs the Coaster commuter rail line. This means:
- Highway 101 traffic: Audible from all inland sites and some ocean sites; a constant background noise during daytime and evening hours
- Train noise: The Coaster and freight trains pass through — typically during daytime and early evening but potentially at night
- Ocean surf: Ocean-side sites have the surf as their primary background noise, which many campers prefer to road noise
The campground’s urban location — in a beach town surrounded by amenities — is precisely why it is so popular, but the trade-off is that it is fundamentally a campground in a busy area. If you are seeking a quiet, remote camping experience, San Elijo is not the right choice. If you want surf access, restaurants, coffee, and a beach community on your doorstep with a bluff-top tent, it is one of the best options in California.
Getting to San Elijo State Beach Campground
San Elijo State Beach Campground is straightforward to reach by car from both north and south on I-5:
From the North (Los Angeles direction)
- Take I-5 South
- Exit at Encinitas Blvd, head west
- Turn left on South Coast Highway 101
- Follow Highway 101 south approximately 2 miles
- Campground entrance on the right (west) side of the highway
From the South (San Diego direction)
- Take I-5 North
- Exit at Manchester Avenue, head west
- Turn right (north) on South Coast Highway 101
- Campground entrance shortly ahead on the left (west) side
By Public Transit
The Coaster commuter rail stops in Solana Beach, approximately 2 miles from the campground. From the Solana Beach station, the campground is accessible by taxi, rideshare, or bicycle. The bus line also stops outside the campground entrance on Highway 101, providing direct access from Encinitas and Solana Beach.
Cardiff-by-the-Sea: What’s Nearby
The campground’s position directly across Highway 101 from Cardiff-by-the-Sea is one of its major selling points. Within walking distance (5-10 minutes on foot):
- Groceries: Seaside Market, a well-regarded independent grocery on San Elijo Avenue, carries everything needed for camping meals — including an excellent butcher counter
- Coffee and breakfast: Multiple coffee shops along San Elijo Avenue and Highway 101 within easy walking distance
- Restaurants: Cardiff-by-the-Sea has a good restaurant scene for a small beach town — Lost Abbey (craft beer), pizza, tacos, seafood, and casual cafes are all walking distance
- Cardiff Farmers Market: Held on Saturdays, with local produce, crafts, and food vendors
- Surf shops: Board rentals and equipment available in Cardiff for those who don’t bring their own
Slightly further afield (driving distance): Legoland California (7 miles), San Diego Botanic Garden (4 miles), Torrey Pines State Reserve (9 miles), and the full San Diego city area (40 miles south).
San Elijo vs Cardiff State Beach: What Is the Difference?
Cardiff State Beach is the stretch of beach immediately adjacent to the San Elijo campground — they are essentially the same beach. Cardiff State Beach itself has no camping facilities; the campground is specifically called San Elijo State Beach Campground. When locals and visitors refer to ‘camping at Cardiff,’ they mean San Elijo State Beach Campground — the two names are used interchangeably for the camping experience in this area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reserve San Elijo State Beach Campground?
Book through ReserveCalifornia at reservecalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-7275. Reservations open up to 6 months in advance. This campground books out extremely fast — be online at 8:00am Pacific Time on the exact date the 6-month window opens for your desired stay dates.
How much does San Elijo State Beach Campground cost?
As of the most recent California State Parks pricing: inland campsites are $50/night, ocean campsites are $70/night, hookup sites are $75/night, and the Grunion Run group campsite is $520/night for up to 40 guests. Verify current rates at reservecalifornia.com before booking.
What are the best campsites at San Elijo State Beach?
For the best ocean views, target sites 145-171 in the north section, and sites 1-43 at the south end. Sites 47, 49, 51, 54, and 56 are also ocean-facing. Avoid inland sites if noise from Highway 101 and the railroad will bother you.
Is San Elijo State Beach open year-round?
Yes — San Elijo State Beach Campground is open year-round. The high season runs March through November, when the stay limit is 7 nights. December through February allows up to 14-night stays. Summer weather is warmest and surfing conditions are best, but the campground is heavily booked.
Are dogs allowed at San Elijo State Beach?
Dogs are allowed in the campground on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Dogs are NOT allowed on the beach north of Lifeguard Tower 16. Dogs are permitted on the beach south of Tower 16, also on leash.
Final Thoughts
San Elijo State Beach Campground is the kind of place that requires patience to book and rewards the effort generously once you’re there. Waking up above the Pacific, walking down the stairs to surf Pipes or Cardiff Reef before breakfast, and then grabbing coffee from a café that is genuinely within walking distance — that combination is rare in California coastal camping. The trade-offs are real: it is noisy, it is close-quartered, the camp store is closed, and you will share the space with a lot of other people. But the location, the surf access, and the town on the doorstep make it worth booking as far in advance as the reservation system allows.