Moonlight State Beach

Moonlight State Beach is a California state park that is operated by the city of Encinitas. It’s a popular place with picnic facilities, concessions, volleyball courts, lifeguards, and decent waves for surfing or boogie boarding.

This is the main central beach of Encinitas. It has a grass park with a play area for kids in addition to a large family-friendly beach. The slope of the beach is gradual which makes playing in the surf more fun and a lot safer. Lifeguards have a significant presence here too.

Many clean picnic tables are provided behind the beach and if you forgot to pack a lunch, there is a concessions stand at the beach during the spring and summer months. Beach Wolf Restaurant as it is known, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has shaved ice and coffee drinks too.

Next to the concessions stand there is a shop with rentals for beach chairs, umbrellas, towels, surfboards, and boogie boards. They even have wet suits since the water here is pretty cold.

This is a popular beach so during the summer the park and the beach will be packed. If you can’t find a space to lay out right at Moonlight Beach, then you can head south to D Street Beach and beyond or just head north toward Stone Steps Beach. The firm sand at Moonlight Beach makes it easy to walk away from the crowds.

Three sand volleyball courts are a big draw here and surfing is allowed outside of the swimming-only zone. Another big draw here are the fire rings for legal bonfires.  If you don’t have your own wood, the rental shop sells firewood and has fire starter.

Moonlight State Beach is located at the west end of Encinitas Boulevard from I-5. After crossing Highway 101, Encinitas Blvd becomes B Street. There is a paid parking lot with an entrance on C Street, but you might want to first look for free street parking in the area. If the lot is full or you plan to park elsewhere, there is a drop-off area next to the sand on B Street.

Address

386 B Street
Encinitas, CA 92024

Phone

760-633-2740

Park Name

Moonlight State Beach

Owner

State Park, City Beach

Pet Details

No dogs allowed on the beach

Fees

Fee for parking in the lot, free street parking nearby

Activities

Surfing, Sunbathing, Tennis, Volleyball, Bonfires, Beach Walking, Swimming, Beach Biking

Amenities

Lifeguard, Restrooms, Showers, Playground, Fire Pits, Picnic Tables, Tennis Court, Sand Volleyball Courts, Snack Bar, Grass Park, Rentals, Overlook, ADA Access

Links

Water Quality
Tide Chart
Water Temps
Beach Web Cam
Moonlight Beach Surf Report