San Elijo Campground

San Elijo State Beach Campground is a California State Parks campground on the bluff above the beach in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, with stairs down to the sand. The 2025 campground map lists 158 public sites. Inland sites cost $50 a night, ocean sites $70, and sites with full hookups $75 to $95. Check-in is 2 p.m., and sites are booked through ReserveCalifornia.

Ocean Sites vs. Inland Sites

The park road splits the campground in two. Ocean sites are the premium sites on the bluff side, overlooking the beach. California State Parks notes they have no shade. Inland sites sit on the other side of the road and cost less.

From the campground map:

• 47 ocean sites without hookups ($70)
• 78 inland sites without hookups ($50)
• 9 ocean sites with hookups ($95)
• 18 inland sites with hookups ($75)
• 6 accessible paved sites without hookups

See the campground map for which site numbers fall in each group.

What a Site Includes

A campsite fee covers one vehicle and one legally towed trailer or tow vehicle. Each site allows up to eight people. Standard sites allow three vehicles and hookup sites two, with $15 a night for each extra vehicle. Hookup sites have power, water and sewer. All restroom and shower buildings have accessible facilities.

The showers run on tokens. The token machines are at the ranger station, and the showers are for registered campers only.

Booking and Stay Limits

Reserve on ReserveCalifornia or by phone at 1-800-444-7275. A $8.25 reservation fee applies and is not refunded. From March to November you can stay up to 7 nights in a row, and from December to February up to 14. After that you must leave for 48 hours before returning, and no one can stay more than 30 nights a year at the park. Full details are on the reservations page.

Campground Rules That Catch People Out

• Check-in is 2 p.m., with no early check-in. Check-out is noon.
• Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Generators may run only from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Visitors who are not registered campers must leave by 10 p.m.
• Alcohol is allowed only inside your campsite, and glass only inside the campground, never on the beach.
• Wood fires are allowed only in the campground fire rings. Firewood is sold from self-serve machines at the restrooms, paid by QR code. Do not burn pallets or treated wood.
• Plants are protected. Do not tie ropes to them or set gear in the planted areas between sites, and stay off the bluff.
• Under 18: campers must have a parent present or bring a permission letter from a parent, and be in their own site from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Scattering powders such as cleanser or diatomaceous earth on the ground is not allowed.

Theft Warning

California State Parks says theft is the most common crime along these coastal beaches, and most thefts are from unattended campsites. Bikes, radios, coolers, fishing poles and surfboards left in plain sight or unsecured at night go missing. Lock valuables in your car or tent at night and when you leave, and report anything suspicious to staff.

Trailer Rentals

Only three approved concessionaires may deliver and set up a rental RV or trailer on your site: Luv 2 Camp, MLG Enterprises RV Rentals, and The Holidays. No other RV vendors are allowed in. See RV camping.

Store, Wi-Fi and Services

California State Parks lists a camp store and restaurant concession, Beach Wolf San Elijo, and firewood sales by Brevvie. A park notice says the camp store and laundry are closed while a concession contract is completed, so ask at the kiosk what is open when you arrive. There is no Wi-Fi at San Elijo or South Carlsbad State Beach.

Programs for Campers

Check the welcome board on arrival for the day's programs. Weekly schedules hang near the shower token machines, and self-guided activities are available at the check-in kiosk. In summer, staff run campfire programs. See ranger programs.