Moonlight State Beach

Category: State park

Address: 400 B St, Encinitas, CA 92024, USA

Phone: +17606332740

Opening hours

Sunday: 5AM–10PM

Monday: 5AM–10PM

Tuesday: 5AM–10PM

Wednesday: 5AM–10PM

Thursday: 5AM–10PM

Friday: 5AM–10PM

Saturday: 5AM–10PM

Reviews

Swan Amity

May 16, 2022

This was our first visit visit to Moonlight Beach and my little family loved it. It was a convenient walk from our hotel, with lovely yards and a beautiful rock garden lining the street. The beach was clean and the supporting buildings were well maintained. It was great to see families enjoying the great weather on Saturday. We went back three times during our stay in Encinitas including a sunrise excursion. I would absolutely visit again. What a lovely example of California's state beaches.

Blaine Casey

Apr 28, 2022

One of the more hidden gems in SD, except to locals. Encinitas is just the right vibe balance. Moonlights parking not too bad, great volleyball, walk down the beach some not too crowded, bluffs behind you. Good food and bars within walking distance Overall one of my favorite spots for SD beaches

customcarpenters

Feb 8, 2022

Great beach to walk and jog, although the water can come right up to the cliffs and not leave dry ground. Nice amenities include concession stand/rental shop, large public bathrooms and outdoor showers. Friendly for those with mobility considerations.

laree wait

Jan 1, 2022

Great beach. Not as busy as more touristy areas. Great playground for kids as well. We stayed at the Moonlight Motel right up the street which was awesome! We will definitely visit again.

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Questions & Answers

What is the weather today

Kristi Harrington | Aug 19, 2018
Lanni Smith | Aug 19, 2018

Sunny

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Is this the best beach?

Robert Sinclair | Aug 18, 2020
Hugh Stewart | Aug 18, 2020

No but it is a great place. I would suggest Del Mar. Park at the Posideon Restaurant.

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Can you camp here

Abigail Carbajal | Aug 19, 2019
Karyn Colella | Aug 19, 2019

There is camping at San Elijo State Beach 2 miles south.

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Are there changing areas?

Sophia Rodriguez | Aug 19, 2018
Cherilyn Jones | Nov 21, 2021

Yes, both bathrooms and changing area.

Are there fire pits on the beach?

Lorraine Lawes | Aug 19, 2018
Jeff Anshel (The Eye Guy) | Aug 19, 2018

Yes, about five or six but they get taken up early in the day. Good luck

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Are personal BBQ'S allowed on the beach?

Edward Jimenez | Aug 4, 2022
William Macek | Aug 4, 2022

No, they are not allowed but there are charcoal grill installed for use.

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Is it Attractive place for everyone

terkpetey Michael | May 20, 2022
Bonnie Black | May 20, 2022

Gorgeous!

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How is the parking situation?

Emma Gonzalez | Aug 18, 2021
Cherple | Aug 18, 2021

People come and go all the time. The longest we waited was 10 minutes.

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What's up with all the rocks on the beach? Doesn't look anything like any of the pictures

G Lillingstoner | Aug 18, 2021
Cherilyn Jones | Nov 21, 2021

It’s seasonal. Winter waves typically bring them in, storms, changing tides etc.

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Are you able to do bonfires

Geronimo elizondo | Aug 18, 2020
Cherilyn Jones | Nov 21, 2021

Fires in try pits only .

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how much one day beach parking cost?

blacksea blacksea | Aug 19, 2019
Bon Kramer | Aug 19, 2019

Free yeyy

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Hi, its open the grillers in this park? I saw on monday that the playground behind to the beach its closed

Dayerling Pena | Aug 19, 2019
Cherilyn Jones | Nov 21, 2021

There are grills next to picnic tables is that’s what you’re asking :)

What is going to happen tomorrow

nat | Aug 19, 2019
Hilda Oltean | Aug 19, 2019

No one knows

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Can you see fireworks from here?

Tammi Wallace | Aug 19, 2018
Cherilyn Jones | Nov 21, 2021

Not so much

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What department stores in the area

cherica taylor | Aug 19, 2018
Robert Lynch | Aug 19, 2018

Just small shops and restaurants along the strip

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It's allowed to fishing here?

yecenia cotsal | Aug 4, 2022
Joseph Wolohan | Aug 11, 2022

yes but you must be away from the swimming zone

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How big of a hole can I dig

Rocso The great (SaltLickFartLick) | Jun 19, 2022
CTheGreenMan | Jun 19, 2022

As big as you want... lol. Lots of family's will dig 1-2ft deep "pool" holes and fill it with seawater, add some shovels and toys and the little ones are occupied for hours. Or dig a 5 ft deep foxhole to combat potenial charlie lol. Either way your holes are safe here 😉

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Is there fire pits here?

Andrea Lacey | May 20, 2022
Daniel Ybarra | May 20, 2022

Yes I saw several. And I remember the smell of the word burning.

Could you celebrate New Years Ever there??

Enrique Garcia | Jan 20, 2022
Edward Shore | Jan 20, 2022

According to the City of Encinitas web page, beaches are open from 4 AM to 2 AM, but parking is open from 5 AM to 10 PM. encinitasca.gov

I've question for moonlight?

Arif zein Ahmed | Jan 20, 2022
Aaron Tovar | Jan 20, 2022

I may have an answer

how much is the parking?

Sonja Hughes | Sep 22, 2021
Cherilyn Jones | Nov 21, 2021

Free weee!

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Is the snack bar open?

Emily Slade | Aug 18, 2021
Cherilyn Jones | Nov 21, 2021

They have the rental shop open now. Haven’t seen the snack bar open for a bit

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Where is the lost and found

Dougie Miller | Aug 18, 2021
Heironymus de Medina (Heironymus de Medina) | Aug 18, 2021

At the entry gate.

Are the fire puts and bbq areas open to the public now?

Konner Rose | Aug 18, 2021
Cherilyn Jones | Nov 21, 2021

Yes. Used them last week.

What is the water temperature?

Alice Saddler | Aug 18, 2021
S Day | Aug 18, 2021

Check on the NCEI site. It changes frequently.

Hi, know this is a long shot, I was here November 17,2020 and lost my grey GoPro 7. If found please contact me here. Thank you 🥺

No Body's | Aug 18, 2021
Cherilyn Jones | Nov 21, 2021

Hope someone gave it back :)

Are dogs allowed here or nearby?

D Wagner | Aug 18, 2021
Karyn Colella | Aug 18, 2021

No, dogs aren't allowed on the beach.

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Is alcohol permitted at the beach?

Liz Herrera | Aug 18, 2021
yashasvi meka | Aug 18, 2021

No. It's illegal to drink alcohol on the beach.

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Are there lots of people there at this time during carona?

Sadie Han | Aug 18, 2021
Belem Avila | Aug 18, 2021

I went on a Thursday and it was pretty packed. But people are sitting 6 feet apart.

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can we have bonfires? where in north county?

Brandon Littleton | Aug 18, 2020
Cherilyn Jones | Nov 21, 2021

Fires in the pits allowed here now.

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Is Moonlight Beach open for families on the sand? Is parking open?

Jennifer Holt | Aug 18, 2020
Marisela Torres | Aug 18, 2020

Yes, and plenty of parking.

Are they're food stands here?

Robert Sinclair | Aug 18, 2020
Gus Moore | Aug 18, 2020

Yes, there is a snack bar at the beach. There are also lots of good take out restaurants within a few blocks

Is the snack shack open at Moonlight Beach yet? And the beach is open for relaxing on now correct?

Denice Rainey | Aug 18, 2020
Veena Raghavan | Aug 18, 2020

Yes the snack bar is open now

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Is this place wheelchair accessible?

Carl | Aug 18, 2020
Melissa Walker | Aug 18, 2020

Some of it is, yes. The sand is soft so there are limits to where you can go. However, there are areas that have sidewalks for wheelchair access.

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Is there a good spot to skateboard at Moonlight Beach?

Laura Fowler | Aug 18, 2020
Kassidy Jones | Aug 18, 2020

No. But the Encinitas YMCA has a sick skatepark and it's just a couple blocks away.

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Why is the beach named "Moonlight"?

Luke Fredericks | Aug 18, 2020
Karyn Colella | Aug 18, 2020

"It is said that the “moonlight” in the name of the beach comes from the fact that local residents used to come to the area for midnight picnics early in the early 1900s." From http://92024magazine.com/2012/07/13/the-gem-of-encinitas-moonlight-beach/

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What are my chances of getting a fire pit on a Tuesday around 6 pm?

lisa steinkamp | Aug 19, 2019
Karyn Colella | Aug 19, 2019

Much better than on the weekend when people have been known to stake a claim in the super early morning. I know people are still there in midweek now because schools haven't started back yet, but it's not nearly as busy as weekends. Good luck to you, and have a fun evening!

Can I grill at moonlight beach?

Edgar Villalpando | Aug 19, 2019
Cherilyn Jones | Nov 21, 2021

Yes

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Are tents allowed during the day on moonlight beach?

Divednet | Aug 19, 2019
Marc-Etienne Poirier | Aug 19, 2019

Yes!

Do things get stolen often? My husband had his phone and wallet by our bags and it came up missing. Now we wont have a way of going home since his social was there. Is there any other way of finding it??

Allyson Flores | Aug 19, 2019
David | Aug 19, 2019

If your social security card is missing contact the Social Security Administration and let them know or contact the police and let them know about anything that was stolen as soon as you can. Call your bank and cancel any debit or credit cards that were stolen so they can't be used

Can we take a BBQ grill to this beach?

Sandra holster | Aug 19, 2019
Michael Pompilio | Aug 19, 2019

There are grills around the park & rec area . But probably , I dont see why not as long as you keep it off the sand .

Is the playground open yet?

Cynthia Wrona | Aug 19, 2019
Karyn Colella | Aug 19, 2019

The playground is open year round.

Can I bring my wife here?

Angel Garcia | Aug 19, 2019
Rob Matthews | Aug 19, 2019

It's a very pretty well looked after beach with many amenities

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Can I take my dog on the beach?

kimberly caudle | Aug 19, 2019
Karyn Colella | Aug 19, 2019

No dogs allowed.

Is there a fee to be at this beach? If yes, how much?

Daniel Karavan | Aug 19, 2019
Scott Seeley | Aug 19, 2019

No. Free. Small parking lot and street parking nearby

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is there a place to change clothes?

Michael Coleman | Aug 19, 2019
Cherilyn Jones | Nov 21, 2021

Yes

Is this aseller point to sell the prodct goods

Rajni Sahay | Aug 19, 2019
Rob Matthews | Aug 19, 2019

No

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Are there many parking spaces?

Dorothy Campbell | Aug 19, 2018
UT opian | Aug 19, 2018

In the summer it can get crowded, especially in the weekends with both locals and vacationers. But large free parking areas.

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Are dogs allowed

Sara Garcia | Aug 19, 2018
David Forester | Aug 19, 2018

No, but there is a dog friendly beach in Del Mar. (Only for a portion of that beach though)

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Can people surf fish?

Vero C | Aug 19, 2018
Brad DeRoma | Aug 19, 2018

Yes. Many do so

Are dogs allowed on the beach

nick manzanares | Aug 19, 2018
Brad DeRoma | Aug 19, 2018

Dogs not allowed on moonlight beach. People do it, but its not allowed. A few miles south is a dog beach in Del Mar

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How much does it cost to park at Moonlight State Beach Encinitas? One site says there's a fee but not how much.

Chris Fennimore | Aug 19, 2018
David Forester | Aug 19, 2018

While there's a booth to collect a parking fee, I can't remember a time in the last two decades when they have.

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How do you reserve a volleyball court? Thanks

Natalie Mendez | Aug 19, 2018
David Forester | Aug 19, 2018

I've always thought it was first come first served.

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Can you bring your own fire pit ?

Brenda Tellez | Aug 19, 2018
David Forester | Aug 19, 2018

No, fires are allowed only in the designated pits.

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Is there over night camping available

Lupita Hernandez | Aug 19, 2018
David Forester | Aug 19, 2018

No camping, fires in fire pits only.

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Do they allow dogs?

G Tazzi | Aug 19, 2018
David Forester | Aug 19, 2018

Dog Beach (Del Mar North Beach) in Del Mar does.

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Somebody now, how much is for going to camping in this place ? Thanks

Flor Plcs | Aug 19, 2018
Gigglepod Haha | Aug 19, 2018

Cant camp here. I would recommend going Carlsbad State Beach

Can I have a kids bday party close to the tot lot w/ catered tacos? Do I need to reserve the area??? Anyone?

A “Sunlight” B | Aug 19, 2018
Melinda Helbock | Aug 19, 2018

Yes it is a great place to host a party! There are fire pits close to the playground but you need to get there very early to hold the spot. We've had to get there at 5 am and take shifts to hold the area. There are picnic tables as well. There is a snack shack but you definitely can bring food. I'd check with the lifeguards about catering. Have a happy birthday!

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Is it a dog friendly beach?

Janet Gocsik | Aug 19, 2018
Matt Hansen | Aug 19, 2018

It's not supposed to be. But they are there

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Can we do Barbecue there ?

Diana Nuqul | Aug 19, 2018
Dawn Romero | Aug 19, 2018

Yes, but there are only a few. Get there early

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Can you have a bomb fire? And BBQ

Samantha Schembri | Aug 19, 2018
Erik Burgan | Aug 19, 2018

There are fire pits on the east portion of the cove. First come first serve.

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What is the average beach temp at the beginning of October? That's when I'll be visiting the area.

Marianne L | Aug 19, 2018
PJ Clarke | Aug 19, 2018

The water is actually warmer in the late afternoon. Best beach ever for boogie board waves.

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