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4.4(85 reviews)

San Elijo State Beach Campground

2324 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA 92007, United States

Plain-text version · San Diego (plain text)

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About This Campsite

San Elijo State Beach Campground

San Elijo State Beach Campground is a time-honored camping destination well-loved for its breathtaking oceanfront views and mature, tree-lined sites. This campground provides a nostalgic getaway, reminiscent of its earlier days in the 90s. It offers a substantial camping experience for beach lovers, adventure seekers, and those who appreciate a scenic, natural setting close to the allure of the Pacific coastline.

Key Features & Tips

  • Scenic Oceanfront Views: Many campsites offer breathtaking views of the ocean, making it a prime spot for sunset lovers and marine enthusiasts. Regular sightings of dolphins add to the allure.
  • Recreational Activities: Ideal for those interested in hiking, surfing, and biking, thanks to its accommodating terrain and bike-friendly neighborhood.
  • Proximity to Amenities: The campground is conveniently close to local restaurants and offers the ability to purchase essentials like firewood onsite.
  • Facilities: The campground provides clean bathrooms and maintained shower facilities. Be prepared for a $10 fee for dump stations, though water fills are free.
  • Arrival Policy: Check-in is firmly at 2 PM. Arrive early and find a parking spot if needed, as the campground is strict about entry times.
  • Security Considerations: The campsite is accessible to non-campers, so valuables should be monitored closely. Be aware of surroundings, especially with children.

Important Considerations

  • Noise & Scenic Ambivalence: While the ocean side charms with its beauty, the proximity to busy streets and train tracks could be distracting for some campers.
  • Beach Conditions: The beach may sometimes be affected by seaweed, which can cause an unpleasant odor. Check tides for optimal beach use.
  • Parking Tips: Do not use QR codes for overnight parking. Use the kiosk to avoid fines.
  • Site Capacity: Larger groups with multiple vehicles or trailers should plan according to space rules, as limitations can apply.

Overall, San Elijo State Beach Campground offers a picturesque escape with the charm of simple, outdoor living. It provides a fantastic location for families and friends to enjoy time by the ocean with adequate facilities and close accessibility to local popular spots. A touch of caution related to safety and cleanliness can maximize the enjoyment of this nostalgic camping destination.

Photos

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Reviews

Reviews provided by Google

Shingo Matsuo

09/01/2024

Very mature, established Campground with some cool trees surrounding each site. Ocean front million dollar view is spectacular but to counter the other side has its downfalls with busy street & train tracks. Great place if you're into hiking, surfing or biking. Very bike friendly neighborhood. Lastly for the 3 day stay we saw dolphins swimming nearby each day which was awesome. Bathrooms are clean & well maintained.

Bradshaw Bernardino

07/12/2024

The good: Location was amazing. We got a spot for 2 nights closest to the ocean. Showers and bathrooms worked. They sell firewood and you can have a fire even in drier months. The campground is walking distance to nearby restaurants in case you get tired of camp food. Big site fit 3 tents, two cars, a trailer, and 8 people just fine. The bad: Non campers have access to the campsite, so watch your valuables and kids. We had a homeless woman lock herself in the handicapped shower near us for hours. The fence blocking our campsite from the cliff above the ocean was not in good shape. There were gaps poorly repaired, and lots of sharp pieces and rust. The fall from the fence to the sand below was at least 30 feet. A trailer counts as a car so our three cars and small trailer put us over the limit even though there was more than enough room for it. Be careful of the overflow parking north of the campground. I was told we could park there overnight by the camp staff. I paid for both days we parked there but I got a $51 ticket because I didn’t pay for the correct thing. Don’t use the QR code to pay overnight, use the kiosk for the correct option. The beach was full of rotting seaweed which stunk up the campground and there were maggots in the sand from the flies in the seaweed. While at the beach a homeless guy walked out in the water, dropped his pants, and pooped in the surf around the kids. He then stumbled badly back to the beach while trying to get his pants back up. Then he sat behind us. All in front of the lifeguard station. We ended up moving to another spot down the beach.

Lauri Hart

05/22/2024

Clean sites. Clean bathrooms. Didn't use showers. The camp is on a bluff with lots of stairs down to the beach. At high tide the beach is almost non-existent. When that occurs there are other sandy swaths down the road. If your camping & arrive before 2pm find a parking spot. They are strict about the arrival time. We had hoped being 25min early we could use the dump site & fill out water tank before going to our space but nope. Also $10 dump fee but water fill is free. Great spot mid week. Summer crowd might be different.

tes oligo

08/10/2024

Check in strictly starts at 2pm. Restrooms and shower rooms are kept clean by staff but sometimes some campers leaves it messy. Camp host are always doing rounds and helps maintain area clean!

Michelle Nix

06/13/2024

I love these campgrounds. They've been there as long as I can remember. When I was a bit younger my boyfriend and I used to sneak out there late at night and do what all the 18 to twenty-something kids did before all the technology changed our lives. Good times. I'll definitely visit this place if I go back to that area. It looks like it hasn't changed much since the 90s and I think that's one thing that makes it so cool. The nostalgia. I will actually pay to camp next time though lol.

San Elijo State Beach Campground — the United States's Camp Guide