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7-best-beaches-in-encinitas

Spanning along the historic Pacific Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, California, is home to some of the best SoCal beaches. The area is known for its scenic shores and laidback surf culture, but it’s also a destination for non-surfers, wellness enthusiasts, families, and outdoor adventurists.

The San Diego suburb claims six miles of coastline, including white sandy beaches, steep bluffs, and iconic surf spots—each with its own amenities, unique vibe, and a slightly different experience to offer. So, what are the best beaches in Encinitas? Keep scrolling for a rundown of the top sites to check out.

Athletes competing in beach triathlon with running and ocean backdrop.

Best beaches in Encinitas and nearby to visit

The best beaches in and near Encinitas include:

  • Moonlight State Beach
  • Swami’s Beach
  • Beacon’s Beach
  • D Street Beach
  • Grandview Beach
  • Stone Steps Beach
  • Cardiff State Beach

Learn about each beach’s highlights, amenities, and offerings ahead.

1. Moonlight State Beach

Moonlight State Beach is a state park famous for its wide, sandy shoreline and welcoming water. You can swim, surf, fish, and boogieboard. On land, there’s beach volleyball, hiking trails, tennis courts, fire pits, picnic areas, showers, equipment rentals, and a snack bar. This is the place to go when you want to spend an entire day at the beach.

In the ’90s, the beach became a popular spot for after-dark picnics. That’s how it got its name, “Moonlight.” Many people still hang out after sunset to gather and enjoy a bite with loved ones.

2. Swami’s Beach

Swami’s Beach is a well-known, if not famous, surfing destination in Encinitas. It’s mentioned in The Beach Boys’ 1963 ode to California beaches, “Surfin’ U.S.A.” Six decades later, it maintains a reputation for having some of the best point breaks.

Swami’s isn’t only for wave-riders, though. Non-surfers can enjoy the stunning bluff views and hang out at the park, where there are picnic tables, benches, bathrooms, and a staircase leading down to the sand.

3. Beacon’s Beach

While its official name is Leucadia State Beach, this one is known by locals as Beacon’s Beach. A winding path gets you from the street down to a smaller, rocky area of the coastline with fewer crowds and a more secluded feel.,

Popular among locals, Beacon’s is a great spot to surf, swim, and fish. On the sand, you can have a picnic or just sit back and relax for a breezy day at the beach.

4. Street Beach

D Street Beach is more centrally located in Encinitas. It sits right under D Street Viewpoint Park, with easy downtown access. The iconic beach has consistent waves, attracting a mix of locals and visitors looking to surf, swim, or chill on the sands.

5. Grandview Beach

Grandview Beach gets its name from the idyllic view of the ocean from the shore, the cliffs above, or the access point at the top of the stairs. The multi-level wooden stairway is part of the beach’s character and history, though this makes it less accessible for some visitors.

Grandview has a long, narrow shoreline. It’s a popular surf spot and an excellent place to walk along the tide. If you’re looking to avoid crowds, this is the place to go.

6. Stone Steps Beach

Stone Steps Beach is another quieter option with scenic surroundings. The shore is a bit narrower, and there’s limited street parking. But if you make your way down the steep stone stairway (where it gets its name) to the beach below, it’s worth it for the secluded feel, surfable waves, tidepools, and peaceful seaside walking.

Just a heads up, high tides can cover the entire shore at Stone Steps Beach. In that case, you can quickly get to Beacon’s or Moonlight Beach in either direction.

7. Cardiff State Beach

Located just south of Encinitas, Cardiff State Beach has an expansive shoreline with tidepools, bluffs, and warm water. It’s home to Cardiff Reef, one of the area’s best surfing spots. Beyond surfing, people head to Cardiff for swimming, sunbathing, walking, fishing, snorkeling, windsurfing, and geocaching.

Planning your beach day in Encinitas

Researching the best beaches in Encinitas is a great place to start. When planning your day by the sea, we highly recommend checking the tide (narrower beaches can become swallowed in water with high tides) and looking into parking if you’re driving.

Think about what activities you’d like to do and whether you’ll bring food or grab a bite at one of the local eateries. Of course, be sure to bring water and pack sun protection, including sunscreen and shade.

If you have time, it’s worth exploring multiple Encinitas beaches to experience the different vibes of each spot.

Recover after a day by the water

A full day at the beach is one of the best ways to spend time in Southern California. But sun exposure, walking on the sand, and continuous activity can also leave your body feeling fatigued. With that in mind, think about booking an assisted stretching or massage therapy session at Stretch*d Encinitas to relax and recuperate afterward.
We also offer face massage, cryotherapy, gua sha, compressive therapy, body rolling, and other services to add to your personalized wellness stack. Book your session today.

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