Surfing at San Elijo

San Elijo State Beach and neighboring Cardiff State Beach share a run of well-known surf breaks. California State Parks names Pipes, Turtles, Cardiff Reef, Georges and Seaside as major surfing attractions of the two parks. Just north, Swami's Reef draws surfers of all levels when a good swell runs. Surfing is banned only where signs or flags say so.

The Named Breaks

The state's San Diego Coast brochure lists five breaks in San Elijo and Cardiff State Beaches together:

• Pipes. California State Parks uses "Pipes at San Elijo SB" as a caption on its own San Elijo page.
• Turtles
• Cardiff Reef, which shares its name with a Cardiff State Beach parking lot
• Georges
• Seaside, which shares its name with Cardiff State Beach's Seaside lot

The agency does not publish which break sits off which stretch of sand or how big each one gets, so check a surf report and look before paddling out. Cardiff State Beach links a Surfline surf report from its parks.ca.gov page.

Swami's

Swami's Reef, to the north inside the marine conservation area that bears its name, is described by California State Parks as a major surfing destination that attracts all levels of surfers during good swells. Swami's Beach is a City of Encinitas beach, not part of the state park. See Swami's Reef and tide pools.

Rules for Surfers

• Surf-ban zones: surf-riding is prohibited where designated by signs or flags.
• Lifeguard towers: no unauthorized person may be on a tower at any time.
• Launching: powered boats may not be launched or beached. Kayaks and other hand-powered craft are allowed except in areas closed to surf-riding.
• Theft: surfboards left in plain sight at campsites are a common target, California State Parks warns. Lock them up at night.

Safety

California State Parks warns that inshore holes and strong rip currents occur at San Elijo and Cardiff, and that hidden rocks lie on the shallow bottom. Do not dive headfirst into the surf. Lifeguard tower staffing drops in spring and fall and stops in winter, so ask a lifeguard or the park about conditions before you paddle out. See the beach for the full safety notes.

Parking for a Surf Session

Day visitors park in the San Elijo North Day Use lot ($8 regular, $20 peak). Cardiff State Beach, popular with surfers year-round, has paid lots at Cardiff Reef and Seaside ($12 to $25). See parking and Cardiff State Beach.