San Elijo State Beach Camping: Sites, Fees and Reservations
San Elijo State Beach camping combines a bluff-top coastal campground with quick beach access in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, but choosing a site takes more than picking “ocean” or “inland.” The current campground has four main individual-site price categories, and the RV limit is actually shorter on hookup sites than on non-hookup sites.
This guide explains the current rates, site types, ReserveCalifornia booking process, RV limits, tent-camping considerations, amenities, stay rules, and campground map so you can choose a site that fits your trip before paying.
Table of Contents
San Elijo State Beach Camping at a Glance
| Planning detail | Current information |
|---|---|
| Location | 2050 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA 92007 |
| Operator | California State Parks |
| Reservations | ReserveCalifornia |
| Tent camping | Yes |
| RV camping | Yes |
| Hookups | Power, water, and sewage at designated hookup sites |
| Non-hookup RV limit | 35 feet |
| Hookup RV limit | 24 feet |
| Individual-site rates | $50 to $95 per night |
| Group campsite | Grunion Run, $520 per night |
| Drinking water | Available |
| Restrooms/showers | Available |
| RV dump station | Available for an extra fee |
| Dogs | Allowed in campground under current rules; not on the beach |
| Check-in | 2 p.m. |
| Checkout | Noon |
| Standard-site occupancy | Up to 8 people |
| Main booking window | Up to 6 months in advance on a rolling basis |
Rates and rules in this guide were rechecked on September 30, 2026. California State Parks can change fees, restrictions, or availability, so review the live reservation details before paying.
Where Is San Elijo State Beach Campground?
San Elijo State Beach Campground is at 2050 S Coast Hwy 101 in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, between Encinitas and Solana Beach. California State Parks describes it as about 25 miles north of San Diego.
The campground sits on the coastal bluff above the sand. That distinction matters: San Elijo State Beach camping is not camping directly on the beach. Stairs connect the bluff-top campground with the shoreline below.
Use the map below to locate San Elijo State Beach in Cardiff-by-the-Sea; use the separate State Parks campground map when choosing your individual campsite.
The geographic map is useful for arrival planning. The campground map is the better tool for comparing site numbers, hookup categories, restrooms, stairs, the dump station, and other internal features.
San Elijo State Beach Camping Sites: Which Type Should You Book?
The four main individual-site categories are inland non-hookup, ocean non-hookup, inland hookup, and ocean hookup. The most important choice is not simply the view. You also need to compare utilities, rig length, site layout, and nightly price.
Inland Non-Hookup Campsites
Inland non-hookup sites are currently $50 per night, making them the lowest-priced standard category. Motorhomes and trailers can be up to 35 feet under the campground-wide rule for non-hookup sites.
For larger RVs, this category can be especially important because non-hookup sites have the longer vehicle limit.
Ocean Non-Hookup Campsites
Ocean non-hookup sites currently cost $70 per night and share the 35-foot motorhome/trailer limit.
Choose this category when the bluff-side ocean position matters enough to justify the higher rate but hookups do not. Do not assume every site provides the same sight line, privacy, wind exposure, or usable footprint. Check the individual site and campground map before reserving.
Inland Hookup Campsites
Inland hookup sites cost $75 per night and include power, water, and sewage. The trade-off is the vehicle-length limit: hookup sites currently allow motorhomes and trailers only up to 24 feet.
That makes measuring your rig one of the most important booking steps. A higher-priced hookup site is not automatically suitable for a larger RV.
Ocean Hookup Campsites
Ocean hookup sites are currently $95 per night. They combine the ocean-side campground position with power, water, and sewage, but the same 24-foot motorhome/trailer limit applies.
The premium can make sense if you value both utilities and the ocean-side position and your rig fits. If you spend most of the day on the beach and do not need hookups, a less expensive category may offer better value for your trip.
Accessible and Hike-and-Bike Sites
The current map identifies six paved accessible non-hookup campsites: 4, 26, 58, 92, 143, and 164. California State Parks also identifies accessible toilets in the restroom/shower building, although shower controls and the coin box may require assistance.
A beach wheelchair is available at no cost through the campground entrance kiosk, with the chair stored at the nearby Cardiff Reef Day-Use lot. Availability is first come, first served.
The campground map also identifies a hike-and-bike camping area. Check live availability and the current reservation details rather than assuming it follows the same price or booking process as a standard campsite.
Grunion Run Group Campsite
Grunion Run is the separate group option. It currently accommodates up to 40 people and 10 vehicles. Two vehicles may park within the campsite boundary, with the others using the adjacent parking area.
The group site includes six picnic tables, a fire pit, a barbecue, and one 50-amp hookup with water and sewage. The current rate is $520 per night. If using the sewage connection, California State Parks notes that an extra-long sewage hose is required.
San Elijo Campground Map: How to Choose a Campsite
The current State Parks map is worth checking before you book because it shows more than campsite numbers. It separates inland and ocean categories, hookup and non-hookup sites, accessible sites, restrooms, beach stairways, water faucets, the RV sanitation station, camp hosts, and the group campsite.
Before choosing a San Elijo campsite, compare:
- Whether the site is inland or ocean-side.
- Whether it has hookups.
- Your motorhome or trailer length.
- The complete footprint of your tent or RV setup.
- Proximity to restrooms.
- Proximity to beach stairs.
- Vehicle space.
- Whether an accessible site is required.
- How much the category adds to the nightly cost.
An “ocean” category describes the campground position, not a guarantee of a completely unobstructed private ocean view.
San Elijo State Beach Camping Fees: Current Rates
The current official campground map lists these rates:
| Site type | Rate verified Sept. 30, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Inland campsite | $50/night |
| Inland hookup | $75/night |
| Ocean campsite | $70/night |
| Ocean hookup | $95/night |
| Grunion Run group hookup site | $520/night |
A standard campsite fee covers one vehicle plus one legally towed trailer or attached tow vehicle. Second and third licensed vehicles, when the site category permits them, currently cost an additional $15 per night and must follow the campground parking rules.
ReserveCalifornia also charges a nonrefundable $8.25 reservation fee. The current modification and cancellation fees are each $8.25.
The RV dump station is available to campers for an extra fee, but the current campground publication does not state the amount. Check the live park information rather than relying on an older third-party figure.
For a budget-conscious stay, compare the total reservation cost rather than only the campsite rate. The ocean and hookup premiums can add up quickly over several nights.
San Elijo State Beach Camping Reservations: How to Book
San Elijo State Beach camping reservations are handled through ReserveCalifornia, California State Parks’ official reservation service.
The normal booking process is:
- Search for San Elijo State Beach in ReserveCalifornia.
- Enter your arrival date and number of nights.
- Compare the available campground sections and site categories.
- Open the individual site details.
- Verify the site category and your RV length before choosing a hookup site.
- Review the campground map and site-specific details.
- Check the full price, including the reservation fee and any extra-vehicle costs.
- Read the current cancellation terms before paying.
- Save your confirmation and check-in information.
California State Parks currently opens reservations up to six months to the day before arrival on a rolling window. New dates become available at 8 a.m. Pacific Time. Availability can disappear quickly for desirable dates, but cancellations can also put sites back into inventory.
Current Cancellation and Modification Rules
California State Parks updated its reservation policies on September 17, 2026.
Under the current rules:
- Cancel 7 or more days before the reservation start and eligible site fees are refunded, minus the $8.25 cancellation fee.
- Cancel 2–6 days before the reservation start and the first night’s site fee is forfeited; remaining eligible site fees are refunded minus the cancellation fee.
- Cancel less than 2 days before the reservation start, or fail to show, and no refund is due.
- The original $8.25 reservation fee is nonrefundable.
- Reservation modifications cost $8.25, are limited to two changes, and generally must be made at least 48 hours before the reservation starts.
California State Parks defines the reservation start as noon on the arrival date for cancellation calculations, not the campground’s 2 p.m. check-in time.
San Elijo RV Camping: Check the Length Limit First
The key San Elijo RV rule is unusual enough to check before anything else: non-hookup sites allow motorhomes and trailers up to 35 feet, while hookup sites are limited to 24 feet.
Hookup sites include power, water, and sewage. They allow a maximum of two licensed vehicles, and only one RV may use the utilities.
The campground also provides an RV dump station for an additional fee. If you want an RV delivered and set up, California State Parks currently allows only its approved campground concessionaires to provide that service; other RV-delivery vendors are not allowed into the campground for setup.
Measure the actual motorhome or trailer and review the specific site before booking. Do not assume the more expensive site is larger.
San Elijo Tent Camping: What to Expect
For San Elijo State Beach camping in a tent, expect a developed coastal campground on the bluff rather than a campsite on the sand. That gives you easy beach access without turning the shoreline into a campsite.
Check the individual site footprint and keep tents, guylines, chairs, and other equipment out of planted areas. Coastal exposure can also mean wind, so use a shelter and staking system appropriate to the forecast.
Wood fires are allowed only in campground fire rings under the normal campground rules. Any temporary fire restriction in effect at the time of your trip takes priority.
Campground Amenities
Current California State Parks information lists:
- Drinking water.
- Restrooms and showers.
- Outdoor showers.
- RV/trailer campsites with hookups.
- RV dump station.
- Wheelchair-accessible facilities.
- Camp store and restaurant.
- Firewood sales.
- Beach access by stairs.
- Picnic and beach recreation opportunities.
The current concession listing identifies Beach Wolf San Elijo as the camp store and restaurant. State Parks also lists authorized firewood sales and approved RV-rental/delivery concessionaires.
For San Elijo State Beach camping, facilities can be temporarily unavailable, so check the park page if your trip depends on a specific service.
Dogs, Fires, Generators and Quiet Hours
Dogs are allowed in the campground under current rules but are not permitted on the beach except where service-animal rules apply. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and under physical control, and dogs must be confined to a vehicle or tent at night.
Wood fires are allowed only in campground fire rings. On the beach, the current campground rules allow only propane or butane fires with 6 inches of clearance from the sand; wood fires are prohibited.
Generator operation is limited to 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Quiet hours are 10 p.m.–6 a.m. Sound-producing devices should not be audible beyond your immediate campsite.
These details matter for San Elijo State Beach camping because beach access and campground rules are not the same thing. A fire or pet activity allowed inside the campground may be restricted on the beach.
Check-In, Stay Limits and Vehicle Rules
Check-in is 2 p.m., with no early check-in. Checkout is noon.
For standard campsites, the current San Elijo State Beach camping rules allow up to eight people and three licensed vehicles. Hookup sites allow a maximum of two licensed vehicles. Extra vehicles must follow the park’s parking requirements and applicable fees.
Seasonal stay limits are:
- March through November: maximum 7 consecutive nights.
- December through February: maximum 14 consecutive nights.
- After reaching the consecutive-stay limit, the party and equipment must leave the park for 48 hours before returning.
- Maximum stay is 30 days per calendar year per park unit.
Those limits matter if you are trying to combine adjacent reservations into a longer coastal stay.
Beach Access and Coastal Safety
Stairs lead from the bluff-top campground down to the beach. Swimming and surfing are available, but a San Elijo State Beach camping reservation does not mean ocean conditions are suitable for entering the water.
California State Parks warns about large waves, backwash, shallow hidden rocks, and rip currents. Lifeguard-tower staffing also varies by season, so check current beach conditions and follow posted instructions before swimming.
The shoreline is associated with Swami’s State Marine Conservation Area. Leave protected natural objects and wildlife in place and follow current marine-protected-area regulations for any consumptive activity.
Is San Elijo State Beach Camping Worth the Higher Ocean-Site Price?
For San Elijo State Beach camping, the ocean-site premium can make sense if the bluff-side setting is one of the main reasons for your trip and the higher nightly cost fits your budget. It is less compelling if you mainly want beach access and expect to spend little time at the campsite.
For RV travelers, utilities can be a bigger factor than the ocean category. Just remember that the hookup-site limit is 24 feet, so some larger rigs may need a non-hookup site even if the owner would prefer full utilities.
Inland sites can be the practical choice when price, rig fit, or a specific site layout matters more than being in the ocean-side category.
If San Elijo Is Full or Does Not Fit Your RV
If your dates are unavailable or the 24-foot hookup limit does not work for your rig, compare another California State Parks beach campground at Doheny Beach. It uses a different campground layout and does not provide individual-site RV hookups.
You can also compare a different California coastal campground at Jalama Beach Park, where the reservation system, access, site types, and cabin options are different.
For a longer trip, plan a legal backup campground for your California road trip before departure so one full campground does not derail the entire route.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does San Elijo State Beach camping cost?
San Elijo State Beach camping currently costs $50 per night for an inland non-hookup site, $70 for an ocean non-hookup site, $75 for an inland hookup site, and $95 for an ocean hookup site. The Grunion Run group campsite is $520 per night. These rates were verified September 30, 2026 and can change.
How far ahead can you reserve San Elijo State Beach camping?
California State Parks currently uses a rolling reservation window of up to six months for San Elijo. New dates become available at 8 a.m. Pacific Time through ReserveCalifornia. Always check the live availability calendar because individual sites may sell out or reappear after cancellations.
Does San Elijo State Beach have RV hookups?
Yes. Designated hookup sites provide power, water, and sewage. The important limitation is that motorhomes and trailers at hookup sites are currently limited to 24 feet, while non-hookup sites allow up to 35 feet.
Can you tent camp at San Elijo State Beach?
Yes. San Elijo State Beach camping includes tent camping in the developed bluff-top campground. Choose an individual site that fits your complete setup, keep equipment out of planted areas, and prepare for the current coastal wind and weather forecast.
Are dogs allowed at San Elijo State Beach campground?
Dogs are allowed in the campground under current leash and supervision rules, but they are not permitted on the beach except where service-animal rules apply. Current campground rules require pets to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and dogs to be confined to a vehicle or tent at night.
Conclusion
San Elijo State Beach camping is easiest to book when you choose by fit before view. Measure your RV if applicable, decide whether hookups are necessary, compare inland and ocean categories on the current campground map, and review the full price before paying.
The biggest booking detail is easy to miss: non-hookup sites allow rigs up to 35 feet, while hookup sites are limited to 24 feet. Once you know which category works, check ReserveCalifornia availability and current State Parks alerts before departure.
References:
- California State Parks — San Elijo State Beach — Used to verify the campground address, campground type, beach access, RV limits, dogs, facilities, concession services, and check-in information. CA State Parks
- California State Parks — San Elijo State Beach Campground Map — Used to verify current campsite rates, hookup utilities, RV limits, occupancy, vehicle fees, stay limits, check-in/out, fire rules, generator hours, quiet hours, individual site categories, and campground layout. CA State Parks
- California State Parks — Booking and Fees — Used to verify the six-month rolling reservation window, ReserveCalifornia, and the $8.25 reservation, modification, and cancellation fees. CA State Parks
- California State Parks — Camping Information & Reservations Policies — Used to verify the September 17, 2026 cancellation/refund policy, modification rules, no-show policy, and general check-in/out requirements. CA State Parks
- California State Parks — Accessible Features at San Elijo State Beach — Used to verify the six accessible campsites, restroom/shower accessibility details, and beach-wheelchair information. CA State Parks
- California State Parks — Grunion Run Group Camping — Used to verify the 40-person capacity, 10-vehicle allowance, picnic tables, fire pit, barbecue, 50-amp hookup, water/sewage connection, and $520 nightly rate. CA State Parks