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South Carlsbad Campground

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Sitting pretty and nestled right on top of the bluffs that look down on South Carlsbad Beach, South Carlsbad State Beach campground boasts a whopping 226 campgrounds with two day use areas and stair access down to the very reason you’re camping there -- the shore.

In addition to all the normal amenities that campsites have, South Carlsbad offers a small camp store that has groceries, firewood, and ice (nothing special but definitely a pleasant convenience). Sites 1-72 and 156-222 are all right on the edge of the cliff, which is a pretty awesome aspect of the campground, if we do say so ourselves.

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95%

80 ratings · 11 reviews

Nick L.recommends

December 18, 2018

Stay on the cliff side if you can away from the highway noise, and be sure to bring cover as there is no shade. Campground books out well in advance, don't bother driving up. Campground is huge, has a camp store in the busy season, fire rings, running water, toilets, coin showers, and beautiful views.

Sara + Mike (.recommends

November 7, 2018

Yes, our site was right on the beach and absolutely amazing!

David W.recommends

October 5, 2018

Woulderful place to be by ocean....

Gina F.recommends

February 10, 2018

Get a beachside campsite. The car traffic can be noisy.

Al G.recommends

January 1, 2018

Plan

Mia S.recommends

July 21, 2017

The sunsets are gorgeous!! Bring a jacket for the evening. And try to get a site along the bluff! The views from those are incredible. They have fire pits as well. They also have stairways to walk right down to the sand and ocean. It feels surreal and such a refreshing experience!

John M.recommends

May 31, 2017

Hook-ups are for 2 vehicles, both with electric, water and sewer. No shade in hook-up sites.

Brian R.recommends

April 10, 2017

Love the cliffs, 120 steps down to the beach.

Owen N.recommends

January 27, 2017

Only camp on the beach side. The east side is to loud

Jason Z.

December 5, 2016

Have camped here many times. Very quiet a lot of the year and at night. Not much car noise or train noise compared to San Elijo - Cardiff a few miles south. Spaces are big. They have a few hookups that were added a few years ago. Camp Store is open during warmer months. Grocery and few restaurants are about 1/2 mile away and new Cape Rey resort is now across the street which is actually quite nice. Beach is in need of sand a lot of the year. Popular with surfers. Fairly quiet as there isn't a lot of parking outside the campground so most people on the beach are staying at the campground. Locals go to the southern and northern ends. Great place to camp....clean restrooms and showers. Tough to get spots most of the year

Gale S.

April 23, 2015

This campsite fills up quickly, so best to get there early in the day or reserve in advance. There isn't a whole lot of privacy and the smell of campfire is pervasive when it's full. (Good or bad? Your call)

Your guide to camping in South Carlsbad Campground

Overview

Fishing

Following the trend of previous gorgeous SoCal beaches, South Carlsbad State Beach is known particularly well for its surf fishing. The beach generally attracts a large angling crowd, who can be seen off of the Ponto Jetty and other locations casting their lines into the ocean, searching for all types of our aquatic friends, such as rays, sharks, and sea bass.

Paddling

Some visitors enjoy heading over to the Carlsbad lagoon for some sweet kayaking and boating options. This is definitely nice if you want to escape the beach for a bit, and we don’t necessarily recommend kayaking out on the open ocean…Either way, you can find rentals for any boats that fit your fancy here.

Surfing

The surf around Carlsbad is always consistent and cause for a great day, so throw on that wetsuit, snag your board, and head out to the water. South Carlsbad is also known as a very local beach, so if that’s any indication of it’s quality then you should understand why everyone loves it so much. When the swell is right, surfing here can get pretty epic, but you can just check out the surf report and see for yourself. With an exposed beach break and reliable surf, the most optimal time for surfing South Carlsbad is during the summer. The ideal swell direction generally comes from the west and southwest, and the beach break offers both left and right hand waves. Try and stay to the left side of the beach, however, as the right is mostly designated for swimmers. And, as always, watch the rips as they are known to be hazardous to surfers around here.

Swimming

What’s the perfect next step after laying on the beach for hours on end in the glorious sun? Taking that perfect refreshing dip in the SoCal Pacific Ocean. With lifeguards consistently stationed during the summer seasons, swimming is a great way to enjoy a day lounging on the beautiful sands of South Carlsbad State Beach. Waders beware, however, as the water gets deep quickly and the waves can be a bit rough sometimes. Make sure you are aware of all of the ocean safety tips declared by the State Parks. Lastly, try and stick to the right side of the beach for swimming, as they try and separate them out (left for surfers, right for swimmers).