Beach is clean with a free parking lot just above. At the entrance there's a nice little…read moreplayground, a concessions stand with actual options beyond your standard hotdogs and burgers. We came on a cloudy day so it wasn't really crowded and we found free parking in the lot up the hill, just above the beach. The lifeguard station is right there so there was a sense of added safety as my kids learned to surf. Beach was clean, people were chill, and we'll def be back!

We came here as a family and really enjoyed it. I actually believe this beach was recommended to…read moreme, and it was everything they said it would be. The beach was nice and the water felt really good, not too cold, which made it even better. My daughter had a blast playing in the sand and just being free, and my husband loved it too, especially since it was his first time being in warm ocean water. We were able to find a spot that wasn't overly crowded, which made it feel even more peaceful and relaxing. Overall it was just a really good beach day and I would definitely come back.

I have been here a handful of times and love coming here to watch sunsets, watch surfers, meditate…read more Today, I stopped in to catch the sunset. I told myself if the parking lot had an open spot, I would stop, otherwise, I would get back on the road to go home. I got lucky tonight and got a spot. This lot is always full but I have managed to get a spot a few times. You either need to come real early or later in the day. Sunsets here are gorgeous, its a bit further south, so you're going to get the sun setting more to the far right, so it wont be directly in front of you, but still very beautiful and unique in its own way. Tonight, there was an impromptu band playing and music was great! They played one of my fave songs Fade Into You by Mazzy Star and I almost cried. The views were so gorgeous and while the song was playing I saw two sparrow like birds on the most beautiful red flowers and it just felt like life could not be any better. The benches up top are a hot commodity, but people come and go quickly so I got a nice spot and sat and watched the sun setting for about 30 min more. I saw a guy bring his own foldable reclining chair and thats a great idea! I think I am going to do that too! This is the best spot to relax for awhile... I love this place and will be coming back often. I also hope one day to be out there surfing with all those amazing surfers!! There were so many out there today, was a site to see!!

I don't know what it took me years if not decades to review this fabulous surfers beach. Well, not…read moreonly surfers can enjoy it but you will need energy to go up and down the long stairs and compete for space with the surfers and their boards. The feeling of being in a exotic location is overwhelmingly beautiful. Total vacation vibes, a place of peace and joy. I went there after a long time a couple days ago on my way to interpret in the area and stopped for a picnic at the little park before you get to the stairs. All very clean and perfect even if small. Restrooms, grass stra, picnic tables, perfect trees and plants, benches. Just a few parking spots which means most probably you have to park nearby and walk. The vistas from above the beach are spectacular. The sand is warm and thin, perfect for long walks or taking a quick nap.

Beautiful beach. There are some lovely sunflowers and other flowers around up top by the parking…read moretoo (which was plentiful). There's also some free parking on the street if you can find some. The beach is very nice and clean. Get out and enjoy it :)

Another gem of the beautiful state of California…read more Ample parking. Clean restrooms with sinks and toilets that work as well as toilet paper available when needed. I like that you literally park and have the ability to walk to the sand. Yes parking during the weekend is steep but well worth the price of admission. Very clean and safe. They decorate it with a Christmas Tree which helps make it festive.

Been to this park a couple times .. once by myself and once with family. It's so nice here! There's…read morea small lot which makes parking kind of tricky, especially on the weekends.. however there are street parking and another lot across the street if you're lucky. There's a playground for kids to enjoy.. lots of park bathroom stalls available (with toilet paper and soap)! And the beach is only a short walking distance away. The views are spectacular and we all had a great time enjoying the scenery

Love love love this cove and park! Breathtaking views, nice park, and easy access to the beach. My…read morefavorite!! I am hooked on this spot Such a peaceful experience. The flowers here are beautiful and really add to the park ambiance as well. Bring a picnic, enjoy the views, and soak it all in. This place really makes you appreciate the beauty all around you.

Difficult to find parking but my friend and I parked far away and were there as part of our daily…read more10K steps challenge. For people going there to surf I see the difficulty in having to carry the board walking for a while Beacons is a wonderful beach like everything in Encinitas/Leucadia. Enchanting atmosphere, beautiful houses around, trees, flowers, birds...is a piece of paradise. I don't like too much having to go down that zig zag to go to the beach but it is always magical, especially when you haven't been for a very long time and rediscover this great spot.

When I'm dog sitting I like to walk to this beach as the views are beautiful... especially during…read morethe sunset. The doggy enjoys this walk as well. The top area was a bit of a hazard, as they had a few sinkhole issues. From recent visit I see they have improved the area and it looks really nice, and much safer. I have walked all the way down to the beach a few times, but the long trail down can be exhausting especially when carrying all your beach necessities. Overall, love the views and will continues to enjoy the walks.

Camping at Carlsbad State Beach is unmatched…read more This campsite offers the best of both worlds: city life + beach life. It sits right on the ocean bluff with two sides, bluff-side (oceanfront) and streetside. Obviously bluff-side is preferred, but staying on the streetside is still a treat. A few things I love about this camping experience: - They allow all forms of camping. Tent, RV, van, etc. - The site has clean bathrooms and warm showers. Just be sure to purchase tokens at the front for the shower. - Dog friendly! You can bring your pet along but they must be on leash and aren't allowed on the beach. - Carlsbad has the most captivating sunsets, and if you're lucky, you'll even see a few dolphins. Truly the most memorable 32nd birthday activity with all my favorite people.

We were on vacation from AZ on 6/2, driving N bound on Carlsbad blvd. My friend had use the…read morebathroom, so we entered the left turn lane at the entrance, and proceeded to turn left (on green arrow) into the park entryway. We pulled up to the gate and the police turned on their flashers! When I asked the park attendant why, they irritatedly said 'tell it to them', pointing at the police. As we pulled around to stop, the female attendant shrieked and pointed at us, as if we were criminals! The officers were literally sitting in their vehicle, WAITING for this to occur, because it is ILLEGAL to turn LEFT here, even though you are IN THE LEFT TURN LANE, with a GREEN arrow directing you to TURN LEFT! I was astonished at this absurd intersection and the way it MISDIRECTS drivers! I protested to the officer, who said there was a sign posted earlier in the median which stipulated 'U Turn ONLY' (NOT above the traffic light where it might actually have been seen)! I indicated I had NEVER encountered a left turn green arrow at an intersection, with an available roadway, where you were NOT allowed to turn LEFT ON A LEFT GREEN ARROW. I indicated that the generally accepted understanding across the USA is that if you are in the LEFT turn lane, and you get a left green arrow, you turn LEFT! I asked the officer to issue a warning only, he said he could not, it was 'zero tolerance' due to the volume of accidents at this intersection going into South Carlsbad State Beah Park! Their CONFLICTING traffic directions at this intersection is CAUSING these 'accidents'! And there will be more! Now I have fines, possible points on my license. TOURISTS BEWARE! This is a racket! It is also DANGEROUS!

For the people who don't like beaches with stairs...just don't go there. The name of the beach says…read moreit all. I think it was my first time ever yesterday and I enjoyed it to the max. Parking was not an issue and the streets nearby the beginning of the stairs are gorgeous, well maintained, safe, flowers and surf boards as decor. Even pink quartz on the pavement. Yes, that kind of level. The stairs were not an inconvenience for me but I. My case I wanted to make it a workout so in fact was perfect. By the time I made it to the steps I had already collected a mini flower bouquet and felt delighted just being there. Beautil long beach and not overpopulated. Everyone looks fit and happy. All was great.

A must stop if you are in the area. There is limited parking at the access, but we had no trouble…read morefinding a spot on a Friday morning in November. My husband surfed here almost 50 years ago, so was a trip down memory lane for him. Quite a few steps to the beach, but you get a great view from the overlook so the steps are optional. Very cool surrounding neighborhood, too.

Gorgeous beach! So many good surfers to watch and it's kept clean. An amazing local find.0read more

"Out of water, I am nothing..." - Duke Kahanamoku…read more Duke's quote also explains why, at any given time, there are so many people in the awesome line-up at Pipes Beach. Whether you surf, run, bike, or just want a chillaxin stroll or picnic along the sand, this place ROCKS and was one of the first places I began surfing regularly since moving to N. County from UTC almost a decade ago. Before moving, I asked a few of my bros where to surf up there and they were all like, "Pipes, Pipes, Pipes..." and I was all like "Bong?" j/k The bluff above the beach sports a paved trail along Hwy 101 where you can run or walk from Encinitas to Cardiff and back. There's also a bike lane too! One funny thing about weekend warrior surfers is that many don't want to walk very far to catch a wave. With Pipes all you have to do is park on the spaces to the west side of 101 or along the dirt road to the east of it (make sure you don't block the white lines marking the bike lanes and BE CAREFUL opening you car doors!!!). The beach is about a hundred feet down the steep paved main entry path or you can access it via the wooden steps leading from the San Elijo campgrounds. If you like a reef break, head south along the beach towards Cardiff while north you'll find solid beach and combo breaks. There's tons of fun-in-the-sun stuff to do on the beach but be careful about leaving your unattended picnic baskets out, otherwise the squirrels and seagulls will go to town! I once had a squirrel chew through my entire backpack looking for the bag of peanuts I left inside! The only restrooms to be had are also on top of the hill and they keep the showers very well maintained. When the surf cooks the line-up here gets packed but you can almost always find a pocket somewhere to catch a wave. Just don't turn all aggro on your fellow surfers since no one owns the ocean, okay? Just think about what Duke would do!!!

The Moonlight Beach Overlook is my favorite spot to go to. I get to watch the beauuutiful sunsets,…read moresunrises, moonrises and moonsets along with keeping up with my physical activities down on the beach like leisurely walks, yoga or running for the 5K. There's a lot more going on when I'm at this scenic blufftop overlooking the Pacific Ocean...I see picnics, volleyball games, surfing just to name a few. I just looove it! Definitely worthy of 5 stars!!

Whenever I visit one of my very good friends in Encinitas, this overlook is the first place I come…read moreto. There are a only a handful of parking places but I always seem to get lucky, score a perfect spot and it's free. After the long drive from home, I can get out of the car, feel the fresh ocean air, stretch and take in the views of the mighty Pacific Ocean. My visits vary from 30 minutes to a couple hours. I just need enough time to unwind from the drive, meditate and relax. What a stress reliever! TIP: Sunsets are epic from this overlook!

A popular stretch of sand, especially beloved by surfers…read more I first stumbled upon this spot while walking from a nearby beach where I always park for free. Here, parking requires a fee, but the beach does offer helpful amenities like restrooms and water stations. That said, you can find similar amenities at other nearby beaches without parking charges, such as Moonlight and Fletcher Cove. What really caught my attention is the sheer number of surfers in the water and the crowds gathered to watch them. Thanks to the reef known as Seaside Reef, the waves here are larger and more consistent, making it a prime surfing destination. In winter, there's a charming tradition: someone places a Christmas tree right in the sand. It's a festive, unexpected touch that brings extra joy to the season. Next year I'm going to bring an ornament to place on this tree. Whoever keeps this tradition alive, thank you!

Catch the surfers here.... Where else can you find a Christmas tree in the sand…read more... We stopped for a little rest used the restroom watched the surfers and the walkers and felt safe..