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Leucadia State Beach might be the least touristy of all the state beaches. The other way to look at it is that this state beach could be the most local. Either way, it’s a stellar beach that’s perfect for sunbathing and beach walking.

Leucadia State Beach is made up of two beach access points in the Leucadia neighborhood of northern Encinitas, California. Driving down the 101 (North Coast Highway), there are no state park signs pointing you to the beach which is a couple blocks to the west. There are subtle public beach access signs if you really look hard, but most folks drive right on by.

IMG_3496 beacons leucadia state beacy bryce (Medium)The twisting descent to Beacon’s Beach

The two beaches of Leucadia State Beach are Beacon’s and Grandview. The first is west on Leucadia Boulevard from Coast Highway and the other is west on Grandview Street. Both have small parking lots that fill up quickly on sunny days and have a local vibe. Neither parking lot has restrooms, but there’s usually a chemical toilet at Grandview.

Surfers and sunbathers are the dominant beach users at both beaches. Lifeguards are staffed during the summer months in the Leucadia beaches.

When the tide is not high, it’s possible to walk on the one-mile stretch of sand between these beaches without getting your feet wet. The sand is firm and wonderful for walking in bare feet at the edge of the surf.

IMG_3519 grandview leucadia state beach bryce (Medium)The stairway from blufftop to beach at Grandview

From the staircase at Grandview it is a half-mile beach walk north to South Ponto Beach and from Beacon’s it is 3/4-mile to Stone Steps Beach, another hidden beach access in Encinitas.

If you want a beach with restrooms, head to South Ponto and Moonlight State Beach (which is just south of Leucadia at C Street). Moonlight Beach has lifeguards year-round.