I don't know what it took me years if not decades to review this fabulous surfers beach. Well, not…read moreonly surfers can enjoy it but you will need energy to go up and down the long stairs and compete for space with the surfers and their boards. The feeling of being in a exotic location is overwhelmingly beautiful. Total vacation vibes, a place of peace and joy. I went there after a long time a couple days ago on my way to interpret in the area and stopped for a picnic at the little park before you get to the stairs. All very clean and perfect even if small. Restrooms, grass stra, picnic tables, perfect trees and plants, benches. Just a few parking spots which means most probably you have to park nearby and walk. The vistas from above the beach are spectacular. The sand is warm and thin, perfect for long walks or taking a quick nap.

Favorite beach! Even if you get farther parking you can walk on the beach to get to the main stairs…read morecase area or you can walk the trail which are both really good views A great spot for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, reading, jogging etc Love to come here all day to tan, eat some sandwiches and enjoy the cali sun!

Beach is clean with a free parking lot just above. At the entrance there's a nice little…read moreplayground, a concessions stand with actual options beyond your standard hotdogs and burgers. We came on a cloudy day so it wasn't really crowded and we found free parking in the lot up the hill, just above the beach. The lifeguard station is right there so there was a sense of added safety as my kids learned to surf. Beach was clean, people were chill, and we'll def be back!

We came here as a family and really enjoyed it. I actually believe this beach was recommended to…read moreme, and it was everything they said it would be. The beach was nice and the water felt really good, not too cold, which made it even better. My daughter had a blast playing in the sand and just being free, and my husband loved it too, especially since it was his first time being in warm ocean water. We were able to find a spot that wasn't overly crowded, which made it feel even more peaceful and relaxing. Overall it was just a really good beach day and I would definitely come back.

Another gem of the beautiful state of California…read more Ample parking. Clean restrooms with sinks and toilets that work as well as toilet paper available when needed. I like that you literally park and have the ability to walk to the sand. Yes parking during the weekend is steep but well worth the price of admission. Very clean and safe. They decorate it with a Christmas Tree which helps make it festive.

Great dog friendly beach with some great waves! Beautiful with plenty of sand to walk on and plenty…read moreof parking on the street. Everyone was friendly and had their dog on leash. Will be back soon!

Love love love this cove and park! Breathtaking views, nice park, and easy access to the beach. My…read morefavorite!! I am hooked on this spot Such a peaceful experience. The flowers here are beautiful and really add to the park ambiance as well. Bring a picnic, enjoy the views, and soak it all in. This place really makes you appreciate the beauty all around you.

Fletcher cove park has a great view of the ocean and surrounding area. The park itself has some…read morenice flora to check out, especially when it is blooming. There are at least 3 picnic tables to sit at and enjoy the surroundings. Also there is a spot with some artificial turf as well. There is a structure very close by, but it is not a restroom. It is an old building that was moved from Vista to this spot in the 1940s or 1950s. There is a restroom down below the park on the way to the beach. there is free street parking very close by to the park, and some parking in the lot down below on the way to the beach by the lifeguards. Pictures attached.

The Moonlight Beach Overlook is my favorite spot to go to. I get to watch the beauuutiful sunsets,…read moresunrises, moonrises and moonsets along with keeping up with my physical activities down on the beach like leisurely walks, yoga or running for the 5K. There's a lot more going on when I'm at this scenic blufftop overlooking the Pacific Ocean...I see picnics, volleyball games, surfing just to name a few. I just looove it! Definitely worthy of 5 stars!!

Whenever I visit one of my very good friends in Encinitas, this overlook is the first place I come…read moreto. There are a only a handful of parking places but I always seem to get lucky, score a perfect spot and it's free. After the long drive from home, I can get out of the car, feel the fresh ocean air, stretch and take in the views of the mighty Pacific Ocean. My visits vary from 30 minutes to a couple hours. I just need enough time to unwind from the drive, meditate and relax. What a stress reliever! TIP: Sunsets are epic from this overlook!

For the people who don't like beaches with stairs...just don't go there. The name of the beach says…read moreit all. I think it was my first time ever yesterday and I enjoyed it to the max. Parking was not an issue and the streets nearby the beginning of the stairs are gorgeous, well maintained, safe, flowers and surf boards as decor. Even pink quartz on the pavement. Yes, that kind of level. The stairs were not an inconvenience for me but I. My case I wanted to make it a workout so in fact was perfect. By the time I made it to the steps I had already collected a mini flower bouquet and felt delighted just being there. Beautil long beach and not overpopulated. Everyone looks fit and happy. All was great.

A must stop if you are in the area. There is limited parking at the access, but we had no trouble…read morefinding a spot on a Friday morning in November. My husband surfed here almost 50 years ago, so was a trip down memory lane for him. Quite a few steps to the beach, but you get a great view from the overlook so the steps are optional. Very cool surrounding neighborhood, too.

Gorgeous beach! So many good surfers to watch and it's kept clean. An amazing local find.0read more

"Out of water, I am nothing..." - Duke Kahanamoku…read more Duke's quote also explains why, at any given time, there are so many people in the awesome line-up at Pipes Beach. Whether you surf, run, bike, or just want a chillaxin stroll or picnic along the sand, this place ROCKS and was one of the first places I began surfing regularly since moving to N. County from UTC almost a decade ago. Before moving, I asked a few of my bros where to surf up there and they were all like, "Pipes, Pipes, Pipes..." and I was all like "Bong?" j/k The bluff above the beach sports a paved trail along Hwy 101 where you can run or walk from Encinitas to Cardiff and back. There's also a bike lane too! One funny thing about weekend warrior surfers is that many don't want to walk very far to catch a wave. With Pipes all you have to do is park on the spaces to the west side of 101 or along the dirt road to the east of it (make sure you don't block the white lines marking the bike lanes and BE CAREFUL opening you car doors!!!). The beach is about a hundred feet down the steep paved main entry path or you can access it via the wooden steps leading from the San Elijo campgrounds. If you like a reef break, head south along the beach towards Cardiff while north you'll find solid beach and combo breaks. There's tons of fun-in-the-sun stuff to do on the beach but be careful about leaving your unattended picnic baskets out, otherwise the squirrels and seagulls will go to town! I once had a squirrel chew through my entire backpack looking for the bag of peanuts I left inside! The only restrooms to be had are also on top of the hill and they keep the showers very well maintained. When the surf cooks the line-up here gets packed but you can almost always find a pocket somewhere to catch a wave. Just don't turn all aggro on your fellow surfers since no one owns the ocean, okay? Just think about what Duke would do!!!

Camping at Carlsbad State Beach is unmatched…read more This campsite offers the best of both worlds: city life + beach life. It sits right on the ocean bluff with two sides, bluff-side (oceanfront) and streetside. Obviously bluff-side is preferred, but staying on the streetside is still a treat. A few things I love about this camping experience: - They allow all forms of camping. Tent, RV, van, etc. - The site has clean bathrooms and warm showers. Just be sure to purchase tokens at the front for the shower. - Dog friendly! You can bring your pet along but they must be on leash and aren't allowed on the beach. - Carlsbad has the most captivating sunsets, and if you're lucky, you'll even see a few dolphins. Truly the most memorable 32nd birthday activity with all my favorite people.

Such a cool spot to beach camp. Also, live music, a store, a pizza and wing spot, and decent shower…read moreand bathroom for a state beach. It's a great place to catch the sunset on a Friday evening. We were lucky to book a bon fire pit near the music and lots of bench seating for the show. It does get crowded so glad we had our own space. The camp sites are pretty big also, fitting large RV's, two cars, and comes with an outdoor table. If parking off-site (like we did since we were just there for the evening), be sure to walk back to the main entrance to exit if later at night as the side entrances are locked at sunset. Great selection of beers, wines, pizzas, wings, and even some Mac & cheese bites.

Difficult to find parking but my friend and I parked far away and were there as part of our daily…read more10K steps challenge. For people going there to surf I see the difficulty in having to carry the board walking for a while Beacons is a wonderful beach like everything in Encinitas/Leucadia. Enchanting atmosphere, beautiful houses around, trees, flowers, birds...is a piece of paradise. I don't like too much having to go down that zig zag to go to the beach but it is always magical, especially when you haven't been for a very long time and rediscover this great spot.

When I'm dog sitting I like to walk to this beach as the views are beautiful... especially during…read morethe sunset. The doggy enjoys this walk as well. The top area was a bit of a hazard, as they had a few sinkhole issues. From recent visit I see they have improved the area and it looks really nice, and much safer. I have walked all the way down to the beach a few times, but the long trail down can be exhausting especially when carrying all your beach necessities. Overall, love the views and will continues to enjoy the walks.

Super cute beach! Leashed Dog friendly to the right of the lifeguard. Not too busy, bathrooms right…read morearound the corner of the rocks in the upper parking lot. Family friendly.

Tidal Beach Park park is a small cove right below the steps with access from Pacific Avenue and…read moreSolana Vista Drive. The beach is very nice during low tide with access during the surrounding beaches including Fletcher Cove. However, during high tide, you are usually confined to the Tide Beach right below the bluffs and stairs that lead down to the beach. There's a bench at the top of the stairs where one can watch the surf below or enjoy the sunset.