Photo: Bjorn on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
San Elijo State Beach Campground
A California State Parks campground on the Cardiff bluffs with oceanfront tent and RV sites and stairs to the surf, but a 24 ft limit at hookup sites.
Cardiff, California · Blufftop above the surf
Season
Year-round
Books up fast; reserve 6 months ahead
Elevation
Near sea level
Blufftop sites; mild all year
Hookups
27 hookup sites
Power, water & sewer; most sites have none
Big rigs
24 ft (hookups)
35 ft max at nonhookup sites
Updated October 8, 2026 · Details checked against the park’s website
Blufftop camping in Cardiff
The San Elijo experience
A popular California State Parks campground on the bluffs above Cardiff’s surf beach, with oceanfront sites, stairs down to the sand and a short walk to town – but hookup sites take RVs only up to 24 ft.
Hookup sites27 with power, water & sewer; 24 ft max
Tent & RV sitesAbout 163 sites, most without hookups
Surf beachStairs down to the sand and Cardiff Reef
Ocean viewsBlufftop sites and Pacific sunsets
ShowersToken showers for campers, plus outdoor showers
Dump station & waterOn site
Beach Wolf storeNew camp store and restaurant
Dogs in campLeashed; not on the beach
Junior RangersPlus an environmental learning center
Grunion Run group siteUp to 40 people and 10 vehicles
Trailer rental deliveryLuv 2 Camp, MLG and The Holidays
Life at camp
What campers say
The campground report card
We don’t recycle other sites’ reviews, but the published scores are worth reading together: campers rate the location a perfect 5.0 on Campendium, while noise from Hwy 101 and the railroad pulls the overall score down.
How RVers rate it
Category scores from Campendium reviewers, out of 5
Field notes from RVers
Longest rig RVers report34 ft Feb 2019
Cell signal reportedVerizon 4G/5GAT&T 4G/5GT-Mobile 4G
Last reported nightly rate$68 Mar 2025
As reported by Campendium users. Confirm rates, site lengths and policies with the campground before you go.
Hwy 101, Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Getting there
The campground sits on Hwy 101 (S Coast Hwy 101) in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, part of Encinitas, between the ocean and the railroad, with I-5 about a mile inland.
From the south: I-5 north to Manchester Ave, west to S Coast Hwy 101, then north to the entranceFrom the north: I-5 south to Encinitas Blvd, west to Hwy 101, then south about 2 miles
HWY 101 · CARDIFF
Set your GPS
2050 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA 92007
To Moonlight Beach*About 5 min
To the Del Mar FairgroundsAbout 10 min
To downtown San DiegoAbout 30 min
From Los AngelesAbout 1 hr 45 min
Mind the length limit. Hookup sites take RVs only up to 24 ft; nonhookup sites take up to 35 ft.
Bring earplugs. Hwy 101 and the railroad run beside the campground, and reviewers mention overnight freight trains.
*Drive times are from Google Maps and OpenStreetMap routing and are approximate. Locator map is approximate, not for navigation.
Around Cardiff
Around Cardiff
Moonlight Beach and downtown Encinitas are about 2.5 miles north, the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center about 1.5 miles south, and Del Mar about 5 miles south.
Photo thanks to Bdonjc (CC BY-SA 4.0)
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Giraffes, rhinos and elephants roam big open habitats in the San Pasqual Valley. Plan a full day and check the site for tickets.
Photo thanks to wiredforlego (CC BY-SA 2.0)
LEGOLAND California
A theme park for kids about 2 to 12, with Miniland USA built from LEGO bricks, a water park and an aquarium next door.
Photo thanks to Rob Bertholf (CC BY 2.0)
The Flower Fields
About 50 acres of giant ranunculus bloom in bands of color on the Carlsbad hillside, usually from March to mid-May.
Photo thanks to Invertzoo (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Moonlight Beach
Encinitas’ main beach, with lifeguards, volleyball courts, fire rings and a snack bar at the foot of B Street.
More places to stay
Other parks worth a look
The three closest RV parks and campgrounds we’ve reviewed around North County San Diego, by drive time.
Photo thanks to California State Parks
South Carlsbad State Beach
A big bluff-top state beach campground in Carlsbad with stairs to a surf beach.
Photo thanks to Campland on the Bay
Campland on the Bay
A big, lively waterfront resort on Mission Bay with its own beach, a marina, pools and family activities.
Photo thanks to Mission Bay RV Resort
Mission Bay RV Resort
Full-hookup sites on De Anza Cove next to Campland, with bayfront rows and a heated pool.
Before you book
Plan your stay
Everything that decides whether San Elijo fits your rig, your dates and your budget, in one place.
Our take: one of the best-located campgrounds in San Diego County, on a bluff right above a surf beach and a short walk from Cardiff’s restaurants and grocery stores. Hookup sites only take RVs up to 24 ft, sites can be tight and sandy, trains and Hwy 101 are loud, and booking is hard, so reserve the moment your dates open.
Reported ratesNo published rates · checked Oct 8, 2026
Inland nonhookup$50 /night
Oceanfront nonhookup$70 /night
Hookup (24 ft max)$75 /night
Hike/bike site$15 /night
Grunion Run group site$520 /night
Day use, per vehicle$8–$20 /day
State Parks doesn’t publish camping fees; these are the rates listed from ReserveCalifornia data (no year given), and Campendium users last reported paying $68 in March 2025. ReserveCalifornia adds a non-refundable $7.99 reservation fee, and extra vehicles pay a nightly fee.
Prices are subject to change at any time and may vary by date, season and availability. For the latest pricing, check the park’s rates page or call (760) 753-5091.
Typical July afternoon
Carlsbad74°
Phoenix107°
Ocean-cooled summers: 33° cooler than Phoenix in July, with marine-layer mornings.
Is it right for you?
Who it suits, what to consider, and why it’s so hard to book.
Open
Site types
From $50 a night; hookup sites about $75.
Open
Rates & policies
Rig limits, stay rules, pets, fires and check-in.
Open
Before you book
Questions to ask before you reserve.
Open
San Elijo State Beach is run by California State Parks, San Diego Coast District, and takes both tents and RVs. Most of its roughly 163 sites have no hookups, and the 27 hookup sites have a strict 24 ft RV limit.
Best for
- Surfers and beach lovers: stairs lead straight down to the beach and the Cardiff Reef surf break.
- Small rigs and tents: oceanfront nonhookup sites take RVs up to 35 ft, and hookup sites up to 24 ft.
- Car-free evenings: Cardiff’s restaurants and grocery stores are within walking distance.
- Sunset views: blufftop sites look straight out over the Pacific.
Consider this
- Big rigs won’t fit: the RV limit is 24 ft at hookup sites and 35 ft elsewhere.
- Noise (2.7) is Campendium’s lowest score, mostly from Hwy 101 and trains, including overnight freight.
- Sites can be tight, uneven or sandy, and some northern sites flood in heavy rain.
- Bluff erosion has retired a few sites, and ADA work may take a few sites offline each winter through 2028.
Summer in Carlsbad
Typical July afternoon
74°
Carlsbad
Carlsbad McClellan-Palomar Airport
107°
Phoenix
Phoenix Sky Harbor
33 degrees cooler than Phoenix, with nights near 64°. Normal July highs, 1991–2020.
Most sites are nonhookup sites for tents or RVs; the 27 hookup sites have power, water and sewer. State Parks doesn’t publish its camping fees, so the prices below are as listed from ReserveCalifornia data.
Inland nonhookup From $50/night
The 77 inland sites across the campground road from the bluff, the cheapest way to stay at San Elijo.
Oceanfront nonhookup From $70/night
The 47 blufftop sites on the ocean side, with the sunset views San Elijo is known for.
Hookup From $75/night
Full-hookup sites, 18 inland and 9 on the ocean side, for RVs no longer than 24 ft.
Grunion Run group From $520/night
One group site for up to 40 people and 10 vehicles, as listed on ReserveCalifornia.
NightlyFrom $50Reported; hookup sites about $75
BookingReserveCaliforniaUp to 6 months ahead; $7.99 fee
Max stay14 nightsConsecutive; ask about summer limits
Check-in2 p.m.No early check-in; out by noon
Quiet hours10 p.m.–6 a.m.Generators 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
RV length24 ft at hookups35 ft at nonhookup sites
Vehicles3 per siteHookup sites: 2, with one RV
PetsLeashed dogs6-ft leash; not on the beach
FiresStoves onlyCharcoal or gas, in your site
VisitorsOut by 10 p.m.Park closed to non-campers 11 p.m.–6 a.m.
Checked against parks.ca.gov on October 8, 2026. Rates are subject to change at any time; see the website or call (760) 753-5091 for the latest rates. State Parks doesn’t publish a camping fee table; book and cancel through ReserveCalifornia, whose $7.99 reservation fee isn’t refundable.
Good to know before you pull in
Five things that change your booking
Ask these on the phone before you reserve.
- Will my rig fit? Hookup sites take RVs only up to 24 ft and nonhookup sites up to 35 ft; book by your exact length.
- Is my site affected by winter work? ADA upgrades run Sept 15 to Feb 15 through 2028 and can close a few sites at a time.
- What’s the stay limit for my dates? The listed maximum is 14 nights; ask whether a shorter summer limit applies.
- How many vehicles can I bring? Hookup sites allow two vehicles and only one RV; other sites allow three.
- Is the store open? Beach Wolf San Elijo is a new concession; confirm its hours, and whether laundry is available.
Know before you go
Frequently asked questions
A few details before you hit the road.
Season: Year-round
Ready for a Cardiff surf trip?
Wake up above the waves, surf Cardiff Reef and walk to dinner in town. Reserve through ReserveCalifornia as early as you can for current rates and availability.
Thank you to the people behind these photos and this video. Please support them by giving their work a look. The sunset photo is by Bjorn on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0), the campground photos come from California State Parks, the video stills are from Califoreigners, and the video is by Airstream Expeditions on YouTube. Area photos via Wikimedia Commons: Bdonjc (Safari Park; CC BY-SA 4.0), wiredforlego (LEGOLAND; CC BY-SA 2.0), Rob Bertholf (The Flower Fields; CC BY 2.0) and Invertzoo (Moonlight Beach; CC BY-SA 3.0); the images were resized. Other-park photos: South Carlsbad State Beach, Campland on the Bay and Mission Bay RV Resort. Review-site logos are trademarks of their owners.
Disclaimer
RV-Roundup is an independent, community-based resource created to help RV travelers and to support and promote the parks we feature. RV-Roundup is not owned by, operated by, or officially affiliated with San Elijo State Beach Campground unless otherwise stated.
The information on this page was prepared using the most current details available at the time of publication, including the park’s published materials and publicly available sources. Pricing, availability, rules, policies, regulations, amenities and other details are set by the park and may change at any time without notice. Before you travel or book, please confirm all details directly with San Elijo State Beach Campground at parks.ca.gov or (760) 753-5091. RV-Roundup is not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes made after publication.
We will always do our best to keep this page up to date. Thank you to everyone who contributes; we truly appreciate your help and support.