Moonlight State Beach(Moonlight Beach)

Located in the city of Encinitas, Moonlight State Beach is a state beach – beaches that are part of the California State Parks system. It is the main central beach and one of the most visited beaches in Encinitas. This beach is very popular among families, visitors, and locals.  This beach was named after the fact that locals used to come here for midnight picnics in the early 1900s. 

There are several amenities here including lifeguards, restrooms, showers, fire pits, barbecues, playgrounds, picnic tables, a tennis court, and three volleyball courts. Moonlight State Beach is a great destination for swimming because the swimming-only zone is marked clearly with no sudden drop-offs in that area. 

You can have a great time at the beach doing activities like fishing, hiking, paddleboarding, and surfing. There are surfboard and boogie-board rental facilities available at the beach. 

Getting to this beach is easy – after you get off of Highway 101, drive down one-fifth of a mile to C Street where you will find an entrance to the paid parking lot. There is also free street parking available on D Street across the playgrounds.   

If you are looking for nearby attractions, you can drive 30-minutes to San Diego Zoo. This non-profit wildlife sanctuary is home to 3,500 rare and endangered animals and over 700,000 plants.  SeaWorld San Diego is an animal-themed water park featuring water rides, roller coasters, pet shows, and underwater diving at Explorer’s Reef. Spread across 370-acres, Del Mar Fairgrounds is nine-minutes away – it is known for many events including the annual San Deigo County Fair, Del Mar National Horse Show, Scream Zone, and Holiday of Lights. Another great option is the San Dieguito Heritage Museum at the Heritage Ranch which displays historical photographs and artifacts from Encinitas.  Moonlight State Beach hosts many annual events such as the Moonlight Beach Fest, which includes athletic events, exhibitions, sandcastle building, volleyball clinics, live music from local bands, and food trucks. The beach also hosts Switchfoot’s "Bro-Am", a charity event filled with music, surfing, and a beach party by the rock band Switchfoot. Visitors can stay here and cook s’mores because Moonlight State Beach is closed only between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Fun Fact: The five-time women’s world surfing champion Linda Benson learned surfing at this beach in the late 1950s. 

If you get hungry, you can drive three minutes to Maurizio's Trattoria Italiana, a vegetarian-friendly Italian restaurant that serves pasta, spaghetti, meatballs, lasagna, salads, and artichoke appetizers. The Roxy Encinitas is a 20^th century-themed American family-friendly restaurant with live music and cocktails – it also has special vegan options. Modern Times Far West Lounge was mentioned in ‘8 of San Diego’s Hottest New Restaurants and Bars’ by Visit San Diego and ‘Where to Eat and Drink in San Diego’ by Wine Enthusiast. 

If you are looking for a place to stay, there are many hotels within a 15-minute drive of Moonlight State Beach. If you are looking for a luxurious option, the 5-Star pet-friendly hotel Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara, North San Diego boasts its pool, bar, spa, restaurant, fitness center, tennis court, and golf course. The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, A Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa is a 4-Star hotel that was awarded the ‘Traveller’s Choice’ by Tripadvisor.  Hampton Inn Encinitas Cardiff Beach Area is a pet-friendly 3-Star hotel featuring a pool and fitness center. Quality Inn Encinitas Near Legoland is an affordable 2-Star hotel with many amenities including a pool, spa, and gym.