BEACHES

Encinitas beaches are ideal for walking and jogging.
Except for Moonlight State Beach and Cardiff State Beach,
they are hidden below seacliffs, mostly wide and sandy,
ideal for walking and seem to go on forever.

Moonlight State Beach

One of the best all-around beaches in San Diego County, this beach is tops for family, romance and walking. Many social gatherings, weddings and events take place there throughout the year. This beach is packed with amenities and a loading/unloading zone is located at the end of B Street.

  • Great family or romantic beach

  • Great walking beach

  • Permanent volleyball courts

  • Snack concession (seasonal)

  • Permanent lifeguard station

  • Permanent lifeguard station

  • Children’s playground

  • Restrooms

  • Fire pits

  • Large parking lot on bluff

  • No alcohol

  • No dogs on beach

D Street Beach

This is a small beach just south of Moonlight State Beach. A wooden stairway connects the street to the beach. While the beach has no amenities, Moonlight Beach is very close by.

  • Beautiful view from bluff

  • Good walking beach

  • Good surfing beach

  • Parking on neighborhood streets

  • No alcohol

  • No dogs on beach

Swamis Beach

Swami’s Beach is one of the county’s most popular surfing spots, and has one of the county’s best tide pools. A long wooden stairway winds its way down the tall cliffs to the beach. A parking lot is located on the cliffs, overlooking the beach.

  • Great romantic beach

  • Great walking beach

  • Restaurants nearby on 101

  • Restrooms near parking lot

  • Showers on stairs

  • Parking lot on cliff top

  • No alcohol

  • No dogs on beach

DOGS

Encinitas has to be one of the most dog-friendly places on earth.
Dogs are welcome in most retail stores and in the patios of most restaurants.
There are plenty of dog parks and a few beaches where they are welcome.
Here are a few of those parks and beaches.

Village Park Trail and Off-Leash Area

This is a mostly fenced, sort of undeveloped off-leash area for dogs and their people to enjoy.

  • Between Encinitas Boulevard and Mountain Vista along El Camino Real

  • Open Daily

  • Off-leash are dogs always allowed

Encinitas Viewpoint Park

Viewpoint Park offers great shade, plenty of grass and picnic areas for you and your dog to enjoy. Best sunset view in town

  • Cornish Drive and D Street

  • Open Daily

  • Off-Leash Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 6:00am to 9:00am and from 3:00pm to 8:00pm

Cricket’s Corner

Cricket’s Corner is a fully fenced, off-leash dog park that is just under one acre and has shade trees, seating, water fountains and a segregated area for smaller pooches to play with other dogs their size. This particular dog park can even be reserved for special events, so you might want to keep it in mind for your next doggie birthday party.

  • 389 Requeza Street, Encinitas(at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society)

  • Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00am to 4:30pm

  • Off-Leash Hours: Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00am to 4:30pm

Maggie Houlihan Memorial Dog Park

The Maggie Houlihan Memorial Dog Park is a two-acre space dedicated to dogs and dog lovers in Encinitas Community Park. There is a show circle, a large turf area, and separate, fenced areas for large dogs, small dogs and shy dogs. Visitors here will find everything you need for a fun afternoon with your pooch, including benches, water stations and bags for cleaning up after your pets.

  • 425 Santa Fe Drive

  • Open 5:00am to 10:00pm

  • Off-leash dogs are always allowed

Sun Vista Park

The off-leash area includes only the east side of the park, so steer clear of other areas when playing fetch or wrestling with your pup in the grass.

  • 2011 Avenida la Posta

  • Open Daily

  • Off-Leash Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 6:00am to 9:am and from 3:00pm to 8:00pm

Cardiff State Beach North

If your pup loves the water, and you are looking for a beautiful beach you can enjoy together, Cardiff State Beach welcomes on-leash dogs at Cardiff State Beach North south of lifeguard tower 16.

  • One mile south of Cardiff on Old Highway 101

  • Open Daily from Dawn to Sunset

  • Dogs must be leashed at all times

Del Mar North Beach Area (aka Del Mar Dog Beach)

Del Mar’s North Beach area is one of the most popular hangouts for pups and their people. While leashed dogs are allowed throughout the year, dogs that are under voice control can be off leash at the beach between the day after Labor Day and June 15th. This dog-friendly beach even holds special dog-related events, such as the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon.

  • 29th Street to Solana Beach border, Del Mar

  • Open Year-round to leashed dogs (six-foot leash maximum), seasonal for off leash

  • Off-Leash all hours between the day after Labor Day and June 15th