Park Information

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is currently unavailable at San Elijo State Beach or South Carlsbad State Beach.

Dogs on Beach

Dogs are allowed on the beach south of Lifeguard Tower 16 at San Elijo State Beach. Dogs must be on leash at all times. 

Interpretation
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. Click here for upcoming programs and activities. 

Campground Watch
San Diego Coast District State Parks has a “Campground Watch” program to help reduce theft, burglary, and other crimes within the park.  You are invited to participate and help in the safety and protection of your campsite, as well as campsites around you.

The most common crime along the coastal beaches is that of theft.  Most thefts are from unattended campsites where items, such as bikes, radios, ice chests, fishing poles, and surfboards, have been left in plain sight or unsecured at night.  To help reduce theft and other crimes, State Park Peace Officers ask you to take the following steps:

1. Secure valuables in your vehicle trunk or tent at night or when leaving your campsite.
2. Introduce yourself to those camped around you and agree to help in watching each other’s campsite and personal belongings.
3. Mark property with your State Driver’s License number for easy identification.
4. REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES IMMEDIATELY.

By following these few, simple tips you may be assuring yourself and your neighbors of a safe, fun, and relaxing stay at your California State Park.

Accessible Facilities
All restrooms / shower buildings have accessible facilities.
 
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 2:00 PM each day. (SORRY, NO EXCEPTIONS)
  • Fees include entry for 1 vehicle and 1 legally towed vehicle or trailer.  Additional vehicles must register and pay additional fees. (CURRENTLY, $15.00 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 10 p.m.
  • Quiet hours are 10 p.m. - 6 a.m.  Visitors not staying overnight must be out by 10 p.m
  • Generator hours: Generators are NOT allowed from 8 p.m. until 10 a.m.
  • Campsites are limited to 8 people maximum and is designed for individual family use. Large groups may require a special event permit.
  • RV hookup sites are limited to two vehicles.  Only one RV or Trailer is permitted in the hookup campsite.  All wheels of all vehicles must stay on pavement. Standard sites 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.
  • March to November customers are allowed, but may not exceed 7 consecutive nights per customer, and/or vehicle license plate. There is a 48 hour required stay gap between reservations that have met the consecutive stay limits.
  • December to February customers are allowed, but may not exceed 14 consecutive nights, per customer and/or vehicle license plate. There is a 48 hour required stay gap between reservations that have met the consecutive stay limits.
  • Additionally, there is an annual maximum of 30 nights per calendar year at each park that cannot be exceeded per customer and/or vehicle license plates.
  • 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: Hi season 8 am - 10 pm. Low season 8 am - 9 pm.
  • Accessible campsites are paved and may have limited area for tents.


Adopt-A-Stairway
The Friends of Cardiff and Carlsbad State Beaches are currently accepting donations to repair the existing stairways that lead to the beach throughout the park. The project has already started at South Carlsbad. Be a part of this important project! Find out more! https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-Cardiff-and-Carlsbad-State-Beaches-FCCSB-334802937480/

Cancellation/Modification Policy

  • CANCEL POLICY: The $7.99 reservation fee is non-refundable.
  • If you cancel a reservation, a cancellation fee of $7.99 will be assessed per reservation.
  • Cancellations can be done online or by calling the Contact Center.
  • If you cancel your reservation after 6pm the day before your arrival, the first night’s fee is forfeited.
  • EARLY OUT POLICY: Customers will forfeit their $7.99 reservation fee and a $7.99 cancellation fee will be deducted from any refund you may be due. If you must leave the park one or more days early, you must check out before 12:00 NOON.
  • NO SHOW POLICY: A campsite will be held for you until 12:00 NOON the day after your arrival date. If you have not called the park before that time, you will be considered a “no show” and the park will cancel your reservation. Customer will forfeit their $7.99 reservation fee, $7.99 cancellation fee and first night use fee.
  • MODIFICATION POLICY: If you need to change your arrival/departure date and/or site, you must call out Customer Call Center by 6 p.m. PST the day before your arrival date. Visitors will be charged a $7.99 modification fee per reserved campsite for change in dates, sites, parks, extending or shortening stay requests. If you must leave the park one or more days early, you must check out before 12:00 NOON. Two Modifications may be made to an existing reservation with the exception of Crystal Cove Cottages. No modifications will be accepted for Crystal Cove Cottages. Retain your camping confirmation letter until you have received your refund. Allow at least 30 days for processing of refunds.
  • If you miss your first day but plan to arrive later, you must call the park each day to hold the remainder of your reservation.
  • For cabin and other alternative camping, please check the park specific cancellation policies on ReserveCalifornia’s website under Alerts and Important Information, Site Alerts, and confirmation letter. Cancellation policies vary from park to park. Cabin reservation holders will forfeit the first night fees when cancelling 6 or fewer days prior to arrival.
  • Modified and cancelled inventory will not be immediately released as available. Modified and cancelled inventory will be released at 8am PT the following day.

Accessible Campsites

  • Visitors reserving accessible campsites are required to possess a valid Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Disabled Placard or Disabled License Plate and corresponding Identification Card issued by DMV. Disabled veterans possessing a valid Disabled Veteran's License Plate and corresponding Identification Card also meet the requirement.
  • Your DMV Disabled Placard/License Plate does not automatically give you a discount on your campsite. You will need to obtain a CA State park-issued Disabled Discount Pass (DDP) or Distinguished Veterans Pass (DVP).
  • If you require an accessible campsite, you must specify this at the time of the reservation.