Moonlight State Beach

We grab some food at Q'ero restaurant in Encinitas and my girl wanted to eat it there. We agreed to eat it near the beach. After driving a couple of blocks, we found moonlight State Beach and it was excellent for a brief picnic. We ate our food and looked at the ocean and walked around a bit. We enjoyed the views and the excellent landscaping and the weather was very comfortable despite being in late December. This is an excellent facility and definitely worth the visit.

If you're looking for a great public beach that has it all, this is the spot. You've got volleyball, a kids' area, and calm water, but you can also find some solid surf waves if that's what you're after. Just remember that it can be a little foggy in the mornings, but the famous California sun usually breaks through in the afternoon. I got here bright and early on a Sunday (6 a.m.!) and had no problem with parking. It definitely fills up later, but there are lots and street parking to choose from. A quick tip: park in the residential area near the volleyball if you want to skip the stairs or hill. My favorite part was getting to watch the surfers while I went for a run—and the outdoor rinse-off area was perfect for removing all that sand before heading out.

Moonlight State Beach was hands down one of the best beaches I’ve been to in a long time. The atmosphere was incredible—families gathered around a cozy fire pit, sharing food and enjoying each other’s company. Even though it was a little chilly because of the time of year we visited, it was still relaxing to have our feet in the sand, breathing in the ocean air. There was such a good vibe all around—peaceful, friendly, and full of life. It felt like a perfect blend of fun and relaxation. The beach was super kid-friendly, which made the visit even better. There were plenty of people out surfing, giving it a lively, active feel, and the playground nearby kept the kids entertained when they weren’t splashing around. The showers and restrooms were convenient and clean, which made the whole experience that much more comfortable. Plus, the big lifeguard building nearby gave me an added sense of safety, knowing help was close if needed. I could definitely see myself coming back again—whether for a full beach day or just to catch a sunset by the fire.

Nice beach in the Encinitas area!! Sand is super nice and soft. Lots of people watching the Pacific ocean. A volleyball court and children's playground. Nice and clean restrooms. Plenty of space to walk along the beach and a decent parking lot which is free. Also a good spot to get great tacos.

I had some time to kill before heading to San Diego and was pleasantly surprised to find such a beautiful spot to have lunch. I was expecting to pay for parking but it was free.

Pretty cool beach. They have decent bathrooms and outdoor showers. There was a little Cafe and playground. There are also rentals (like surfboards). I rode my bicycle and they had plenty of good bike racks, that were buried in the concrete, not just loosely bolted in. So I felt comfortable locking up my bicycle, along with all the other bikes. They also had volleyball nets.

Great place to watch the waves or walk along the shore. The parking is free!!!