The Beach & Swimming

San Elijo State Beach is a narrow strip of sand below a bluff-top campground in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, reached by stairs from the campground. Swimming, surfing, snorkeling and diving are all popular. Mobile lifeguards patrol the beach, summer towers are often staffed, spring and fall have limited tower staffing, and towers are not staffed in winter, so ask about conditions before you swim.

Swimming and Lifeguards

California State Parks describes lifeguard coverage at San Elijo this way:

• Summer: towers are often staffed, in addition to mobile lifeguards.
• Spring and fall: limited tower staffing.
• Winter: towers are not staffed.

The state's San Diego Coast brochure warns that inshore holes and strong rip currents along San Elijo and Cardiff can be dangerous, and it suggests asking a lifeguard where it is safe to swim. Surf-riding is banned where signs or flags say so, and only lifeguards may be on a lifeguard tower.

Rip Currents and Ocean Safety

A rip current is a channel of water flowing away from shore. The campground map gives these points from California State Parks:

• Rip currents often form at breaks in sandbars or near structures. They can be narrow or more than 50 yards wide.
• They average 1 to 2 feet per second but have been measured at up to 8 feet per second.
• If you are caught, stay calm and do not fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you are free, then swim at an angle back toward the beach.
• Large waves can hit without warning and run much farther up the beach than normal.
• On steep beaches, backwash can knock you off your feet.
• Never dive headfirst into the surf; hidden rocks lie on the shallow bottom.

Getting to the Sand

Stairs lead from the campground down to the beach. Ocean sites sit on the bluff overlooking the beach. Day visitors park in the North Day Use lot (see parking). The posted order requires everyone to stay off the coastal bluffs and keep recreational gear at least 10 feet away from them.

Beach Rules

These come from the park's posted order and campground map:

• Alcohol and glass are not allowed on the beach.
• Fires: no wood fires on the beach. Propane or butane burners are allowed only if self-standing with at least 6 inches between the stove bottom and the sand.
• Dogs: only on leash from Lifeguard Tower 16 south to the San Elijo Lagoon mouth. See dog rules.
• Boats: no launching powered vessels. Kayaks, rafts and other hand-powered craft are allowed except where surf-riding is prohibited.
• Drones need a park permit and FAA registration.
• Natural objects: rocks, shells and animals are protected in the marine conservation area offshore. Take nothing.

The Reef Offshore

The waters off San Elijo belong to Swami's State Marine Conservation Area, which the campground map calls San Diego's largest marine protected area. The nearshore reef is popular with snorkelers and divers, and at low tide it shows tide pools. See Swami's Reef and tide pools.

Showers and Restrooms

California State Parks lists restrooms, outdoor showers and drinking water at the park. The token showers in the campground restroom buildings are for registered campers only.

Beach Wheelchair

A free beach wheelchair is available on a first-come basis. Check it out with photo ID at the San Elijo campground entrance kiosk; the chair itself is stored at the Cardiff Reef day-use lot next door. See accessibility.