Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Moonlight Beach Overlook

    4.5 (26 reviews)

    Moonlight Beach Overlook Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Moonlight Beach Overlook

    Recommended Reviews - Moonlight Beach Overlook

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Mel M.

    Off to the side above the beach there's this nice little lookout to catch the sunrise or sunset. Cool spot to watch surfers. Benches to check your social media and listen to the ocean. Get some meditation in. It's a quieter spot to hangout at the beach without having to walk down a hill or get sandy. Mel M Yelp 17:74

    Well Kept Benches and View
    Jack M.

    This is a cute little over look right above and on the south side of Moonlight Beach. There is a small little grass area for picnics or activities such as the yoga class that was going on when I visited. There are several well kept wooden and concrete benches that face predominantly west for beach, ocean, and viewing that fantastic San Diego sunset. Land escaping is maintained and clean. I can see how this little gem is many North County's residents to come and enjoy the view, and it would not be to bad of a place for a proposal. The immediate parking is limited, but I am always able to find parking up the street into the neighborhood. Anyways, next time you are in the area, and want to relax and enjoy the view, check this overlook out.

    Flock of seagulls
    Maria C.

    Not a bad spot to check out the sunset on an evening visit. This outlook is nicely maintained, small and quaint. There are a couple benches for you to soak in the sun or sit with special someone. There is a small parking lot that sits on the bottom of the outlook with about 10 spaces. Otherwise, there is a parking lot across the street and ample street parking within a block or 2 distance. Just watch out for the "flock of seagulls"...

    A spectacular fall sunset in Encinitas
    Vicki C.

    This perch sits just on the south end of Moonlight beach. You can take a couple of steps up to an alternate reality where benches, and green grass grows right above the magical beach beneath it. This little park is adorned with decorations etched into the cement and tile mosaics decorating the waste bin. You can catch a breathtaking fall sunset, watch the surfers, bikinis or speedos and of course the kids. Access can be tricky from a car, especially in the summer or during a spell of gorgeous weather. I recommend riding a bike or walking in to get the moonlight experience all day, every day.

    Toni A.

    GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS!!! I've been to this spot a few times before sunrise!! YES, around 6:15am. I don't have to tell you it's super chilly and a bit spooky seeing as how the open water is dark and beach area isn't lit BUT as soon as a bit of light starts to peak from behind illuminating the sky, its magic! Most people use this overlook to park and nap...but I had to get out and take in all the splendor! You'll often see groups of workout buddies, runners and yogis and occasional meditators along the beach too. I mean, it is ENCINITAS! :)

    Overlook entrance
    Matthew Y.

    A lovely addition to Moonlight Beach. It's a simple overlook, but includes a nice elevated view over the beach, beach-goers and oceanside. Located right across Moonlight Beach entrance and free parking, it's definitely worth a quick stop. Bring a blanket for the small grassy area, along with some drinks and food for a picnic. The main beach facilities make this an easy stop with available food and parking.

    Sunset
    Marlane R.

    Maybe it's because of nestalgia, but this is one of my favorite beach spots in North Country of San Diego! No, its because it's awesome and has a calm, peaceful beauty that can't be beat. I love to pick up Raul's Shack amazing chicken soup and drive here and park and eat it on the benches over looking paradise on earth! I saw whales or dolphins splashing yesterday, pure free magic! There's fire pits and the best children's play park! Nice clean bathrooms and usually hot life guards on duty! Love, love, love you Moonlight Beach! I remember watching a Lunar Eclipse from your cliffs 10 yrs ago. And 16 yrs ago playing chase with my 6 fingers black cat around your canary palm, before you were all development and still wild and raw!

    Vincent C.

    A small but wonderful spot to relax with a great view. It's basically a very small park with a few benches and one table. There's a small grass area that would be a nice place to lay down a blanket and have a picnic. I usually come here with some snacks and enjoy the view. Not too many people are here which is a good thing only because it is so small.

    Julie G.

    This is a sweet little overlook where locals and visitors frequent to relax, read a book, write a poem, picnic, surfer watch or simply check out the scenery. A nice place to tie the knot but small so only immediate family and friends like maybe 10 max. Only one handicap parking spot so park on C street or the lot at the top of Moonlight Beach.

    Jodi C.

    Perfect spot to enjoy the view either for a picnic or just for a few minutes before continuing your day. When time allows, it's a great spot to head off to enjoy the beach as well.

    Bridgette B.

    We love it here. Love the recent renovations to this beach area. They do run out of TP from time to time. So best to bring your own just in case. The lookout or outlook spots are really cool too. Haven't had a chance to try the concession stand yet. But will one day! Nice to have that as an option. Lots of cool stuf here that includes a Playground, volleyball area, fire pits and bench style tables near by. Nice & large parking lot too!

    California at her best!

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 46
    Thanks 16
    Love this 40
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Favorite over look and would always bring a burrito here to hangout at. I recommend going with friends and having a picnic

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mel M.
    765
    1280
    4206

    9 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    11 years ago

    Helpful 16
    Thanks 0
    Love this 15
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maria C.
    1876
    3135
    9889

    15 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Vicki C.
    1297
    833
    1502

    13 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 13
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Julie G.
    703
    550
    1130

    20 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jodi C.
    107
    120
    299

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nick T.
    617
    1454
    270

    15 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeremy B.
    989
    139
    68

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Moonlight Beach Overlook

    Review Highlights - Moonlight Beach Overlook

    Love the recent renovations to this beach area.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Parks 7,315 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Cottonwood Creek Park

    Cottonwood Creek Park

    4.3
    (36 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    This review is for Ted - a literal human angel…read more Ted, the park attendant in the RV in the corner of the lot, rescued a dog that I had lost while dogsitting for the first time for some new friends. When I arrived at his RV after the owner told me Kemba had been found there, Kemba was sitting in his lap, recieving some calming pats on her head after a very stressful last 90 minutes of wandering away and being found shivering in a bathroom stall. On top of the stress and frustration at myself for allowing that to happen, I comforted by Ted's warmth towards her upon her discovery, and by his warm, sincerely helpful demeanor that he demonstrated while explaining the story to me - the embarrassed and stressed dog sitter who had made a mistake. I so appreciate Ted's presence at Cottonwood Park. He said he helps with a lot of conflict resolutions in the parking lot, which I really respect, because I used to do conflict resolution for over 4 years in courts and interpersonally. I didn't tell him that, but I felt his grounded, service-oriented presence and quiet contributions that he likely makes to everyone who passes through. Thanks so much for your help - and for helping Kemba, who is now snuggled up next to my leg under a blanket

    Your park hours listed here are until 10pm. If that is not accurate you all need to update it. My…read moreson and I used to love this park, but tonight at 8:20, about 15 minutes after the sun went down I was sitting in the parking lot finishing writing a segment for work. The grounds keeper (I assume that's who he was) came up to my car with a flash light and started screaming at me to "get outta here" you're the only car left! I asked him what the hours were because I had seen 10pm on this site (yelp) and I was just sitting there not bothering anyone. He said it closed at dusk, I asked if there was a sign he could show me or if it showed an actual sign, to which he yelled at me again to "get the f outta here" while flashing his light at me through my window with my 5 year old son in the back I don't think he realized was with me who I am now calming down because it was a scary interaction as a woman to be screamed at and a flashlight in my face by a random man, who did not identify himself and just yelled out at me to get out. I have never experience anything that scary at a friendly and happy park that we were frequent visitors at, but safe to say we won't be back and hopefully I can find other places to report him as thats not a safe environment with someone like that, nor have I ever been ran out of a family park parking lot by a strange unidentified man. I've also attached a photo that shows the park on maps and yelp says open til 10pm, as well as Facebook. Either way, the behavior was completely unacceptable for a random man it seems like the park allows to live and park there in a trailer and harass anyone, especially a woman since he saw I was alone and defenseless and with a young child.

    Photos
    Doggie area for sniffin'
    Doggie area for sniffin'
    Cottonwood Creek Park
    Cottonwood Creek Park

    See all

    The Hideaways

    The Hideaways

    4.0
    (4 reviews)
    5.8 mi

    This playground is nothing short of amazing. It's huge, has plenty of offerings for kids of all…read moreages, and is spread out enough that even when it's crowded, there's plenty of room for kids to run around without interference. I will say, however, that this place is so big that you can very easily lose track of your kids. There were a few times on our last visit where I was scanning the playground for a minute or two trying to find one of my kids after looking after another one for a bit. But don't worry. There really is only one in and out so you don't have to worry about kids wandering off if you are around that bottleneck point. This is a great attraction that I hope the park never gets rid of. It offers kids a space to run around & just goof off and be kids while also blowing off steam. The only point of improvement I can think of if maybe offer some more (shaded) seating for parents. On hot days that would be greatly appreciated.

    This playground is located within Legoland. My grandson requested to come to this playground as we…read moremade our way to the top of the amusement park. He remembered it very well from our past visits. It is a second story playground and it is big enough for adults to shadow your littles if needed. On this day it looked as though an employee was monitoring at the top. I'm not sure if it was because it was near closing time or they are there for the safety of the little ones. There is a short wall that you could sit on to watch your kids from afar, This grand playground is great for the kids to burn some energy that's for sure! The kids have fun running place to place it makes me want to join them. If you haven't visit this playground it is a must. P.S. Grab some Apple Fries beforehand from the stand adjacent to the playground. Great snacking as you watch the play.

    Photos
    Slides galore
    Slides galore
    Slides
    Slides
    Rule

    See all

    Rule
    Poinsettia Community Park

    Poinsettia Community Park

    4.5
    (56 reviews)
    4.7 mi

    It was the perrrfect day to plant 25 trees at Poinsettia Community Park in celebration of Arbor…read moreDay. This event was well received by the community...more than 30 people (mixed age groups) showed up to volunteer. It was AWESOME!! This beauuutiful 42-acre park contains the largest public tennis complex in the city (10 tennis courts and 6 pickleball courts), basketball court, baseball/softball fields, a multi-sport turf arena, alongside a modern playground, designated dog park area, and shaded picnic areas. Major pluses are restrooms, drinking fountains, and free parking. I definitely recommend this green space and family-friendly park to the Yelp Community :-)

    This park is one of my favorites! It is so well taken care of with so many amenities that includes…read morean off-leash dog park separated by small and large dog areas, all the sports courts and my particular favorite, the pickleball courts. The few times I've been here has been enjoyable and everyone (including dogs) have been very amicable. The dog park is very well kept and like how they have some little obstacles courses for the dogs. The pickleball courts are also very nice but there are some areas that have been worn out, mostly behind the baseline. But nice seating area and efficient paddle system to rotate people in and out. I only wish it was closer to me.

    Photos
    Pickleball courts
    Pickleball courts
    TEN tennis courts. NO pickleball allowed on these courts
    TEN tennis courts. NO pickleball allowed on these courts
    Dog park sitting area...my Rudi enjoying some shade.

    See all

    Dog park sitting area...my Rudi enjoying some shade.

    Moonlight Beach Overlook - parks - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...