Cardiff State Beach in Encinitas, California, is a premier destination for dog owners and beach enthusiasts alike.
This highly dog-friendly location is frequently lauded as one of the most welcoming areas for canine companions in the region.
The beach boasts a wide range of features specifically designed for dogs, including a dedicated dog park with a large turf area, multiple off-leash hours (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays), and a beautiful beach area perfect for enjoying an afternoon with your pups.
Visitors can experience a fun-filled day at the Maggie Houlihan Memorial Dog Park and the Off-Leash Dog Parks within Encinitas.
The beach itself offers a tranquil setting for dog owners, with daily access for leashed dogs, a scenic view, and opportunities for local events like the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Surf Dog event.
Del Mar North Beach also welcomes leashed dogs, and the area near Cardiff State Beach provides a lovely beach experience.
Daily access to Cardiff State Beach is permitted for leashed dogs.
All dogs must be under the owners’ control at all times.
Beach wheelchairs are now available for patron use.
These wheelchairs, with a photo identification, are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the San Elijo State Beach Campground entrance.
A Mobi Mat is placed at Lifeguard Tower 15 during the summer season to provide easier access to the mean high tide line.
Lost and found is located at San Elijo State Beach Campground.
Parking is available and a general admission day use fee of $12-$25 per vehicle applies (demand based pricing).
Camping is not permitted at Cardiff State Beach, and tailgaiting is prohibited. Cardiff State Beach is a popular surfing location in San Diego County, often resulting in busy parking lots.
If there is no staff person in the kiosk at the park entrance, the parking fee must be paid at the Automated Pay Machine located in the parking lot near the restroom at Cardiff Reef and near the entrance at the Seaside Parking Lot.
Cardiff State Beach is located one mile south of Cardiff on Old Highway 101.
Latitude/Longitude: 33.0100 / -117.2783.
The beach features a gently sloping sandy beach with warm water, offering opportunities for swimming, surfing, and beachcombing.
Nearby beaches include San Elijo State Beach, Cardiff Reef, and Seaside.
Other beaches in the surrounding area include Del Mar North Beach, Oceanside beaches (Harbor Beach, Oceanside Pier, Strand), Carlsbad beaches (North Carlsbad beach, Carlsbad State Beach), and Solana Beach (Tide Park).
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{'metatitle': None, 'metadesc': None, 'user_rating': 0.0, 'state': 'California', 'city': 'Encinitas', 'name': 'Cardiff State Beach', 'address': '2050 N Highway 101', 'latitude': 33.021499, 'longitude': -117.28426, 'shop_type': 'dog-park', 'last_updated': '2025-04-20T03:39:57.815797+00:00', 'final_rating': 0.0, 'holiday_hours': {}, 'operating_hours': {'friday': 'Off-Leash Hours', 'monday': 'Off-Leash Hours', 'sunday': 'Off-Leash Hours', 'wednesday': 'Off-Leash Hours'}, 'additional_filters': {'Grass': True}, 'verified': False, 'phone': None, 'email': None, 'website': 'https://www.parks.ca.gov/Events/?page_id=656\nhttps://www.parks.ca.gov/Newsroom/?c=Cardiff SB', 'article': '<p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;"><strong>Cardiff State Beach</strong> in Encinitas, California, is a premier destination for dog owners and beach enthusiasts alike.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">This highly dog-friendly location is frequently lauded as one of the most welcoming areas for canine companions in the region.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">The beach boasts a wide range of features specifically designed for dogs, including a dedicated dog park with a large turf area, multiple off-leash hours (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays), and a beautiful beach area perfect for enjoying an afternoon with your pups.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">Visitors can experience a fun-filled day at the Maggie Houlihan Memorial Dog Park and the Off-Leash Dog Parks within Encinitas.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">The beach itself offers a tranquil setting for dog owners, with daily access for leashed dogs, a scenic view, and opportunities for local events like the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Surf Dog event.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">Del Mar North Beach also welcomes leashed dogs, and the area near <strong>Cardiff State Beach</strong> provides a lovely beach experience.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">Daily access to <strong>Cardiff State Beach</strong> is permitted for leashed dogs.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">All dogs must be under the owners’ control at all times.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">Beach wheelchairs are now available for patron use.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">These wheelchairs, with a photo identification, are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the San Elijo State Beach Campground entrance.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">A Mobi Mat is placed at Lifeguard Tower 15 during the summer season to provide easier access to the mean high tide line.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">Lost and found is located at San Elijo State Beach Campground.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">Parking is available and a general admission day use fee of $12-$25 per vehicle applies (demand based pricing).</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">Camping is not permitted at <strong>Cardiff State Beach</strong>, and tailgaiting is prohibited. <strong>Cardiff State Beach</strong> is a popular surfing location in San Diego County, often resulting in busy parking lots.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">If there is no staff person in the kiosk at the park entrance, the parking fee must be paid at the Automated Pay Machine located in the parking lot near the restroom at Cardiff Reef and near the entrance at the Seaside Parking Lot.\n\n<strong>Cardiff State Beach</strong> is located one mile south of Cardiff on Old Highway 101.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">Latitude/Longitude: 33.0100 / -117.2783.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">The beach features a gently sloping sandy beach with warm water, offering opportunities for swimming, surfing, and beachcombing.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">Nearby beaches include San Elijo State Beach, Cardiff Reef, and Seaside.</p><p style="margin-bottom:1rem;text-align:justify;">Other beaches in the surrounding area include Del Mar North Beach, Oceanside beaches (Harbor Beach, Oceanside Pier, Strand), Carlsbad beaches (North Carlsbad beach, Carlsbad State Beach), and Solana Beach (Tide Park).</p>', 'faq': None, 'history': None, 'disclaimer': None, 'categories': ['Cardiff State Beach', 'Dog Park', 'Beach'], 'admission': None, 'date_available': None, 'attendance_amount': None, 'exhibitor_amount': None, 'delivery_services': [], 'social_media': {}, 'stocked_brands': [], 'inventory_categories': {}, 'customer_reviews': [], 'metadescription': None, 'slug': 'cardiff-state-beach', 'distance': 1143.7, 'main_image': None, 'additional_images': [], 'shop_type_unslug': 'dog park', 'open_now': 'unknown'}
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