Hours & Fees
San Elijo State Beach is open for day use from dawn to sunset, and California State Parks asks visitors to call the entrance kiosk at (760) 753-5091 to confirm hours. Vehicle day use is $8 at the regular rate and $20 at the special holiday, seasonal and weekend rate. Camping is paid separately and runs from $50 to $95 a night depending on the site.
Hours and Fees at a Glance
Day-Use Hours
California State Parks lists the park's day-use hours as dawn to sunset. The park's posted order goes further and closes the whole park to public use from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., with one exception: people lawfully camping in the campground. The San Elijo North Day Use parking lot and its restrooms close earlier, from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The entrance kiosk at the campground is staffed from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. in high season and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in low season.
Day-Use Fees
The state lists two vehicle day-use rates:
- $8.00 regular vehicle day use
- $20.00 special holiday, seasonal and weekend rate
State Parks notes that special rates may apply in peak season, on high-demand holidays and on weekends, and that prices can change without notice. The North Day Use lot is paid at an automatic pay machine or by QR code, and the campground map lists an overnight option there for campers' extra vehicles (see parking).
Next door, Cardiff State Beach charges its own fee, $12 to $25 a vehicle with demand-based pricing.
Passes the Park Accepts
San Elijo State Beach accepts these California State Parks passes:
- California Explorer Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass
- Disabled Discount Pass
- Distinguished Veteran Pass
- Golden Bear Pass and Senior Golden Bear Pass
- California State Library Parks Pass
Camping Fees
From the campground map:
- Inland campsite: $50 a night
- Ocean campsite: $70 a night
- Inland hookup site: $75 a night
- Ocean hookup site: $95 a night
- Grunion Run group campsite (hookup): $520 a night
- Second and third vehicles: $15 each per night, paid on entry
A non-refundable $8.25 reservation fee applies to each booking through ReserveCalifornia. The hike-and-bike site is $15 a person. Details are on the reservations and group camping pages.
Campground Times
Check-in is at 2 p.m. and California State Parks says there are no exceptions and no early check-in. Check-out is at noon. Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and visitors who are not registered campers must leave by 10 p.m.
Spring Juvenile Curfew
From March 1 to May 1, the posted order sets a curfew for juveniles from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. California State Parks also notes a spring break curfew at San Elijo and South Carlsbad State Beaches: anyone under 18 must be with a legal guardian after 8 p.m. when outside their registered campsite.
Hours & Fees FAQ
What time does San Elijo State Beach open?
Day use runs from dawn to sunset. California State Parks suggests calling the entrance kiosk at (760) 753-5091 to confirm the day's hours.
How much does San Elijo State Beach cost?
Vehicle day use is $8 at the regular rate and $20 at the holiday, seasonal and weekend rate. Campsites cost $50 to $95 a night.
Is San Elijo State Beach free?
Not if you drive in. California State Parks lists vehicle day-use fees of $8 at the regular rate and $20 at the holiday, seasonal and weekend rate, unless you hold an accepted state park pass.
What time is check-in at San Elijo campground?
2 p.m., with no early check-in. Check-out is noon.
Does San Elijo State Beach accept the California State Parks annual pass?
Yes. It accepts the California Explorer Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass, Golden Bear passes, the Disabled Discount Pass, the Distinguished Veteran Pass and the library Parks Pass.