Right Beaches › San Diego › Cardiff
San Elijo State Beach
4.6★ · 1,537 Google ratings · Cardiff, California
✓ Parking✓ Restrooms✓ Showers✓ Picnic tables
At a glance
Parking
Street parking · 50 ft away · paid
Walk
175 yd · 2 min
Restrooms
Yes · 210 ft away
Cost
Paid parking
Water
71°F
Length
4.6 miles of shoreline
Sand
175 yd from the water to the back
Water quality
Good · 2% of 53 over the limit · 2025
Crowds
Quietest Tue 12pm
Map of San Elijo State Beach
Guide
Good to know
Plan for sunset viewing
The beach offers consistent stunning Pacific sunsets with clear views, making evening visits especially rewarding.
Visit at low tide for walking
The flats extend far out, creating long stretches of beach perfect for exploring tidepools and easy walking.
Arrive early for parking
The lot fills by mid-morning on weekends, especially in summer, though paid parking is available via machine or QR code.
Bring water shoes or booties
Sharp rocks and reef cover much of the shallow water, especially at higher tides, causing foot cuts.
Expect train noise near camp
Amtrak trains pass hourly day and night with loud horns; sites closer to the highway experience significant noise disruption.
Conditions
How it is right now
Air
70°F · clear
Water
71°F
Waves
3.3 ft · 10 s apart
Wind
5 mph from the WNW
Shelter
Onshore · wind blowing straight in off the water
UV index
8 peak today
| Time | Tide | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 15:14 | High tide | ↑ |
| 23:42 | Low tide | ↓ |
Last updated Sep 4, 3:53 AM.
Crowds
When it gets busy
| 8a | 9a | 10a | 11a | 12p | 1p | 2p | 3p | 4p | 5p | 6p | 7p | |
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QuietBusy
Practical
Plan your visit
📍 2050 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA 92007
🅿 Parking 50 ft from the listing
🌊 Water 175 yd away, about 2 min walk
🚽 Restrooms 210 ft away
Nearby
Other beaches close by
0.6 miles away · shorter walk
0.9 miles away · shorter walk
1.7 miles away · shorter walk
2.6 miles away · shorter walk
6.0 miles away
9.2 miles away · shorter walk
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Questions
Common questions
Where do you park at San Elijo State Beach?
The nearest mapped parking area is 50 ft from the listed location. Positions come from OpenStreetMap, not from review text.
How far is the walk to the water at San Elijo State Beach?
175 yd in a straight line from the listing to the mapped shoreline, about 2 min. Soft sand and dune make the real walk longer than the straight line.
Does San Elijo State Beach have restrooms?
Restrooms are mapped 210 ft from the listing.
When is San Elijo State Beach least busy?
Google visit patterns put the quietest hour at Tue 12pm and the busiest at Sat 3pm.
Measured from OpenStreetMap, public aerial imagery and live conditions data, and counted from visitor reviews. Every source, in full.
