Between LA And San Diego Is A Scenic State Beach With Waterfront Camping

If you're at all familiar with California, you probably already know that beaches are kind of a big thing there. The Golden State has an estimated 840 miles of Pacific coastline, with urban beach parks, seaside towns, and protected coastal nature preserves. Further inland, California's public lands and natural wonders offer more opportunities for outdoor camping. Is it any surprise, then, that California's beaches and camping options come together in a few remarkable seaside camping spots? One such beach camping haven is California's San Elijo State Beach. With Southern California's sea and sand and more than 100 developed campsites in a blufftop campground overlooking the Pacific, San Elijo State Beach offers a classic California beach experience that continues after the sun goes down.

San Elijo State Beach's Southern California vibes are no illusion. The beach occupies coveted real estate along the SoCal coast, about 25 miles north of San Diego and roughly 100 miles south of Los Angeles. The regular day-use entry fee is $8, though California State Parks lists a $20 special holiday, seasonal, or weekend rate. With surfing, swimming, and walks along the sand, San Elijo State Beach works well for a Southern California day trip to the seaside. Add its large campground, and it also gives visitors the option to stay overnight. Even better, the beach is close to several other coastal parks and nature preserves, adding a tranquil touch of nature to a San Diego-area beach escape.

The stretch of coastline between Los Angeles and San Diego is home to a premium concentration of seaside attractions, including beloved weekend trip destinations like the aptly named city of Oceanside and a diverse collection of public beaches. San Elijo State Beach features a relatively narrow stretch of sand and a stark series of oceanside bluffs with wide Pacific views. Visitors can reach the beach by stairs from the bluffs above and see San Elijo's offshore reefs, along with plenty of shots of the palm tree-lined bluffs from below. San Elijo's offshore waters include several smooth boulders that break the monotony of the mighty Pacific. The beach's seaside bluffs are especially attractive in the evening, when visitors can capture picture-perfect sunset shots over the ocean. 

Beyond its bluff-lined sandy beach and expansive Pacific views, San Elijo is also notable for its convenient proximity to other worthwhile SoCal nature escapes. The beach sits between the ocean and the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve. As a coastal wetland nature preserve rich in biodiversity, it showcases a very different coastal ecosystem from the vast ocean offshore of San Elijo State Beach. 

San Elijo also shares a coastline with neighboring Cardiff State Beach, which has gently sloping sands and ephemeral tide pools, providing a complementary setting to San Elijo's steep seaside bluffs right next door. The waters off San Elijo are also part of the broader Swami's State Marine Conservation Area, the largest marine protected area in San Diego County. Home to everything from undersea kelp forests to coastal marshes to seaside canyons, it's just a short jaunt from San Elijo Beach.

Like many California beaches, San Elijo State Beach has a surfing scene. Its exposed reefs and variable conditions keep it from ascending to the top echelon of California surf destinations like the iconic Huntington Beach, aka "Surf City USA," but surfers can still find plenty of opportunities to catch a wave. Specifically, an exposed reef at San Elijo called Turtles is a great surfing spot for beginner-to-intermediate-level surfers. 

San Elijo also offers swimming, though rip currents pose a potential hazard. Even if you don't want to get wet, the beach's mile-and-a-half of walkable shoreline is perfect for relaxing seaside walks between the ocean and the bluffs. The nearby San Elijo Lagoon has also recorded more than 250 bird species, making it a worthwhile stop for birdwatchers. 

Still, San Elijo State Beach's campground is what sets it apart from many other SoCal beaches. Overnight campers can stay at one of 165 developed campsites atop the bluffs overlooking San Elijo Beach. This location provides convenient beach access for swimming and surfing, while the oceanfront sites offer spectacular Pacific views from tents or RVs. Campground facilities include restrooms and showers, and six campsites are designated accessible. Reservations are handled through ReserveCalifornia. Just a short drive away, the laid-back California seaside town of Solana Beach offers shopping, dining, and recreational options beyond the campground.