South Carlsbad State Beach
South Carlsbad State Beach
4.5
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This nearly five-mile stretch of beach is popular with families but also draws surfers and skin divers to the water and runners and cyclists to the boulevard bordering the beach.
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141 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,770 reviews
Excellent
1,163
Very good
490
Average
90
Poor
13
Terrible
14
G G
17 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
This is an awesome beach for boogie boarding, great for families!
Walking, Running, swimming it doesn’t get better than this beach! Best part no obnoxious parties!
Enjoy the peace & fun!!
Walking, Running, swimming it doesn’t get better than this beach! Best part no obnoxious parties!
Enjoy the peace & fun!!
Written 31 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
simply-peregrinating
Waddington, UK2,758 contributions
Apr 2019
We had a couple of strolls on the beach during our short stay in Carlsbad. We enjoyed warching the pelicans and the surfers. The sand was soft underfoot and there was good access to beach with easy parking.
Written 11 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EnjoyingTheWorld7
Iowa City, IA277 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
The beach was clean and the water beautiful. Such a peaceful place. Surprisingly, there were not that many people.
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Y5110NDerick
Carlsbad, CA35 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
South Carlsbad is unspoiled beauty. The crowds of Los Angeles and Orange County are absent here. Lots of good "eats " as well.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Indiana_Jonesse
San Francisco, CA7,370 contributions
Mar 2020
The beach side has many spots to park for free to stop and retreat to watch the sunset. We walked along the beach side while we waited for the sun to come down. Each moment displayed a different shade of amber of the sun’s rays. We waited until the sun fully sank on the horizon and enjoyed the magnificent moment. It is a daily routine for many people (locals) as you notice they bring their pets and take their walks. There are many well maintained walkways.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lavender432014
Arlington, VA59 contributions
Feb 2020
We just love walking son this beach and staying around for the evening sunsets it is all so invigorating.
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cindy W
Vista, CA192 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
We enjoy walking on boardwalk (not really boardwalk) at Carlsbad beach. It's 3.5 miles down and back. Great way to get your exercise in, watching pelicans, surfer's, and ocean surf...The air so clean and refreshing in the wintry months. Parking can be tricky in the neighborhoods.
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob B
Hessle, UK173 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
As a Brit, delighted with this beach. No tacky shops, well looked after, peaceful. What more could you ask for?
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson18,350 contributions
Jan 2020
From our launching point (just below Carlsbad Inn), we could walk towards Oceanside (until the creek flow stopped our hike) and then, in the other direction up to and including the sea wall walk. We could travel past the lagoon and smoke stacks before continuing our walk all the way to the Carlsbad campground part of the beach. All in all, it was about 6 miles round-trip.
At some points, our walk detoured slightly up to the Carlsbad Boulevard, past a small park and a touching memorial to a young man whose life ended way too soon. These are the things we miss when we are zooming along in our cars but these things leave the biggest impressions.
A huge raptor carried away a ground squirrel in its talons, surfers plied the waves, volleyball practice was in full swing, cliff caution signs reminded us of the fragility of these sandstone bluffs and paths wove around the preventative netting. During our week long stay, the beach walk was our favorite activity and the scenery/activities always had something new to see.
At some points, our walk detoured slightly up to the Carlsbad Boulevard, past a small park and a touching memorial to a young man whose life ended way too soon. These are the things we miss when we are zooming along in our cars but these things leave the biggest impressions.
A huge raptor carried away a ground squirrel in its talons, surfers plied the waves, volleyball practice was in full swing, cliff caution signs reminded us of the fragility of these sandstone bluffs and paths wove around the preventative netting. During our week long stay, the beach walk was our favorite activity and the scenery/activities always had something new to see.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea Y
Saint Louis, MO92 contributions
Dec 2019
It was unseasonably cold while we stayed at Carlsbad beach, which made morning and evening walks a bit unpleasant. But the views and the laid back locals made up for the chill in the air! I loved walking at night and talking to people hanging out on the beach.
Written 29 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gonz1
2 contributions
I am traveling to Legoland with a 7 year old. We are thinking of taking the train one day to Sea World. Does anyone know about how far the train stop is from Sea World, is it walkable with a child?
baldeagle46
San Diego, CA256 contributions
It is not walkable
Gonz1
2 contributions
Is the Carlsbad State Beach in walking distance from Legoland Hotel?
baldeagle46
San Diego, CA256 contributions
It is a couple of miles on roads that are very busy. You can easily drive in 10 minutes or less, or take a Lyft.
Cliff T
Lakeside2 contributions
How the heck do you make a reservation?
SoCalScotts
Huntington Beach, CA73 contributions
If you are referring to the camping at the beach locations just off Interstate 5 you do need to contact California State Parks reservations.
Gattamom
Marietta, GA137 contributions
Recommended activities to include a 91 year old who uses a walker?
Linda J C
Carlsbad, United States44 contributions
Hi, I am a Carlsbad resident and my husband is 98 years old. We like to park near the Best Western and walk the sidewalk above the beach. There is also a sidewalk down close to the sand, with a sloping asphalt path down to it. Up until about 2 years ago, we walked there, as it is easier to hear the waves and watch ground squirrels. However, the sidewalk is easy and relatively flat. Most of Carlsbad is flat and walkable, including with a walker or cane. We often also walk above the flower fields, even when they are not in bloom. This gives a different view of the ocean. To get there, drive south on the Coast Hwy to Cannon Rd or Palomar Airport Road and turn left. On Cannon, you would turn right onto Legoland Drive and then keep right on Armada rather than continuing to Legoland. Park anywhere along the road there and walk. Also, the Gemological Institute of American allows people to visit the museum part of the Institute, with AT LEAST ONE DAY's notice. Look it up on line and contact them with the day you would like to come. I think the hours for guests are 1 - 3:30 pm, M-Thurs. This is fascinating if you are at all interested in gems, rocks, petrified wood, etc. If you turn on Palomar Airport Rd, you'd go to the traffic signal past Costco (on the right) and turn left onto Armada.
Jcart13
Alton, IL2 contributions
Are there restrooms? Picnic tables? Shower/hose stations to rinse off before getting in the car?
cowgirl509
Georgetown, TX243 contributions
yes, all the above and water fountains too
Jimmyglcii
Foxborough, MA26 contributions
Are dogs allowed on the beach?
Kathleen B
Oceanside, CA55 contributions
No dogs allowed, sadly. I've seen them there off leash before but I wouldn't risk it. Del Mar beach is the closest dog beach, which is another 10 miles south.
KimberlyGRITS
Johnson City, TN1 contribution
I am still recouping from ankle surgery. Is there handicap access to the beach?
Norman O
Carlsbad, CA59 contributions
sorry to say no there is no handicap access at south carlsbad beach campsite. but just down the road at south ponto beach I am told there is.
What is the ocean water temp in early June
stacias459
San Marcos, California27 contributions
Nice and cool for hot summer days. Exact temperatures could be from sixties to seventies. Who pays attention to that kind of stuff when you are having fun. Once in the water then you are fine, lol.
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