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.

A beach is a beach is a beach, right? Not really! All along the Southern California coast, the…read morebeaches vary geographically. Some are more sandy and some are more rocky. I was looking for one that was relatively clean, with not a lot of people, and lots of sand with few rocks. Tamarack State Beach is that place! Tamarack is the kind of beach that would make a nice spot for a picnic or a place to watch the sun set. I did neither of those things -- just stayed for a while to let my children get into the ocean and bury themselves in the sand. But they loved this beach so much that we visited twice during our visit to Carlsbad. There was a lifeguard on duty, set up closer to the parking lot where the majority of the people were. If you walk a little ways away, though, there is no lifeguard and the people are fewer. The parking can be a little limited, and you have to pay to park. There is also some street parking, but that's even more limited. Your best best is to hit the parking lot first and maybe circle a couple of times.

During my one-month escape from the Massachusetts cold, I spent many days at Tamarack State…read moreBeach--also known as Carlsbad State Beach or Frazee Beach. Located between Tamarack Avenue and Carlsbad Village Drive, it's a beautiful stretch of coastline. You'll find a little bit of everything here--families, students, retirees, surfers, and plenty of people just enjoying the ocean. On any given day, I saw swimmers, surfers, kayakers, windsurfers, people fishing or beachcombing with metal detectors. The cement promenade running between Carlsbad Village and Tamarack is especially popular, filled with walkers and joggers. It extends for miles, making it perfect for a longer stroll along the coast. Wildlife added to the experience as well--dolphins offshore, along with pelicans, gulls, and other aquatic life. And beyond the traditional surfers, I even spotted the occasional electric hydrofoil (eFoil), with riders gliding above the water in a way that almost seems to defy gravity. Tamarack offers stunning daytime scenery and some truly memorable sunsets. There are some basic rest rooms facilities available. Tip: If you're heading there on a warm day, plan to arrive early--parking fills up quickly!

This spot is located between North Ponto Beach and Carlsbad State Beach. It's a local hidden gem…read more Instead of finding hoards of tourists, you'll find a serene beach with cliffs, tidepools, and surfers. Park on the dirt road, find the secret staircase and head downstairs. Things to keep in mind...no bathrooms, no lifeguards.

I really fun adventure both high tide and low…read more It's a great walk and you can make your way North towards the closest beach. It's a bit of a trek during high tide but a long the way you find beautiful shells and treasures that have been washed up on the big rocks. You can skip the flatter rocks and just have a good time with friends I'm excited to see this spot during king tides because I hear it's pretty incredible Definitely never overly crowded which is surprising but I'd definitely come here for more of an adventure day and less of a relaxing day because it is smaller and the tide can be unpredictable Will be coming back

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.

In the heart of Carlsbad Village, you will find Carlsbad City Beach. The beach is down below…read morestreet level, so you will need to take the path down below, best to take the paved path. This beach is well kept, and tends to be quite clean and safe. The sand is lush and soft on the feet. While visiting during the holidays- I saw dolphins! Keep your eyes open to spot wildlife! Parking can be found along the highway one or several of the public lots. During the height of the season, parking can be challenging. Enjoy and be safe!

I looove going to this public beach! I always enjoy myself....people watching, basking in the sun,…read moreR&R, sunset walks, practicing yoga, and doing other fun beachy stuff. There are plenty of restrooms around. If you need a bite to eat or in the mood for shopping, you have a lot of options downtown. It's a popular spot on the Coast for sure...always have people there. I'm sooo lucky to be nearby!! I definitely recommend this beach to the Yelp Community :-)

Restrooms and parking area available. It can get crowded on Summer months but less than La Jolla or…read moreEncinitas.

South Ponto beach is a popular beach in Carlsbad. There is some free parking along the street or…read morepaid parking in a private lot operated by the State Parks. You can have a bbq using an electric or gas grills. Charcoal is no longer allowed nor wood bonfires. The beach closet to the paid parking lot and the Alila Marea hotel has too many rocks so I prefer the beach closest to the campground because it has less rocks. Dogs are not allowed on the beach but you can walk along the street or in the campground with your furry friend.

Been to this park a couple times .. once by myself and once with family. It's so nice here! There's…read morea small lot which makes parking kind of tricky, especially on the weekends.. however there are street parking and another lot across the street if you're lucky. There's a playground for kids to enjoy.. lots of park bathroom stalls available (with toilet paper and soap)! And the beach is only a short walking distance away. The views are spectacular and we all had a great time enjoying the scenery

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.

This day was beautiful, warmer than usual for this time of year. We love spending time here! We…read morefound some large sea shells on the beach and the waves are great for smaller kids near the marina. After enjoying the sun you can have a bite at the restaurants in the marina and have some ice cream. It's a beautiful area which we enjoy multiple times every year.

Gorgeous beach with plenty of parking and a playground for kids…read more I gave a 2 star because of all the rocks that was on the beach. It was really rough to walk towards the water. Other than that this place is splendid! Plenty of food to choose from if you get hungry chillin at the beach or buy your food then enjoy your food at the beach watching the surfers! Oceanside Pier is also nice little walk.

I came by on a Sunday for a quiet fun day…read more We rented kayaks and played around for 1-2 hours. The sun was out and it was a relaxing time. The price is reasonable too. Bring the kids. This is a good old time. The restrooms could use more maintenance though.

Brought my family here for the weekend, and I was quite unhappy…read more The staff exhibited unprofessional behavior and displayed rudeness, along with inappropriate comments. The water was extremely dirty and had a foul odor. I won't be bringing my family back to this filthy lagoon.

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.