South Carlsbad State Beach
California State Park
Write a Review 7201 Carlsbad Blvd. Carlsbad, CA 92008 760-438-3143 Reservations: 800-444-7275 Official WebsiteGPS: 33.1002, -117.3182
Overview of South Carlsbad State Beach
Last Price Paid: $70
Reported by Scott on 4/29/2024
Longest RV Reported: 33 feet (Class A)
Reported by gibby on 12/25/2023
Number of Sites 222
Elevation 32 ft / 9 m
Max Length 35 ft
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Q&A - Ask the Community about South Carlsbad State Beach
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 760-438-3143
Casita De Hatch asked on 5/24/2023
Could a 38ft RV fit in one of these spaces? Even though max length says 35ft?
HGalle asked on 1/31/2022
Anyone have info on camp spot #7? The length on the website reads 20 ft. Yet, on the adjacent site which looks identi...
jlrockstar asked on 4/12/2021
Ok, this is probably obvious, but I want to be sure: The sites that have double hook-ups - you can bring two RVs/fift...
Reviews of South Carlsbad State Beach 25 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 12 Users
Last reported 4/29/2024
Confirmed by 6 Users
Last reported 8/7/2021
Confirmed by 6 Users
Last reported 12/25/2023
“Meh”
Reviewed 4/29/2024
| Nightly rate: | $70 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 47 |
Overall Rating
First of all, check in time is 2:00 p.m. Don't even THINK about coming at 1:50. I got there early and they wouldn't even allow me to wait in the parking lot. Sent me down the road to find free beach parking. When I came back at 2:01, there were two lines. They were pretty efficient getting people in. Nice bathrooms and showers, but... more
First of all, check in time is 2:00 p.m. Don't even THINK about coming at 1:50. I got there early and they wouldn't even allow me to wait in the parking lot. Sent me down the road to find free beach parking. When I came back at 2:01, there were two lines. They were pretty efficient getting people in.
Nice bathrooms and showers, but the showers need tokens and the tokens can only be bought a mile or so back down the road by the entrance. I was all leveled up and settled in my van, so didn't drive back down the road.
The sites are private. The view is nice, but there is a chain link fence between the site and the ocean. Access to the beach means again walking or driving a couple miles.
Very busy place, and sites are only feet from the main road through the campground, meaning everyone who passes by on foot, bike, skateboard or vehicle are just a couple feet from your rig.
I am a full time nomad. I stay 99% of the time in National Forests or BLM land for free. When I pay $70 to stay somewhere for the night, I guess I just hope for a little bit more.
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Dumb rules”
Reviewed 12/25/2023
| Nightly rate: | $50 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 114 |
| RV Length: | 33' (Class A) |
Overall Rating
1) My site was empty the night before, but they will not allow an early check in. 2) No hook ups, but they do not allow a generator until 10AM!..Isn't everyone awake by 8AM? 3) Wife drives the tow car but they charge 15/night if it is not equipped with a tow bar. 4) 15 mph down narrow pavement where lots of people are walking and ... more
1) My site was empty the night before, but they will not allow an early check in.
2) No hook ups, but they do not allow a generator until 10AM!..Isn't everyone awake by 8AM?
3) Wife drives the tow car but they charge 15/night if it is not equipped with a tow bar.
4) 15 mph down narrow pavement where lots of people are walking and kids playing.
5) I have a 34' and there is 6-7 feet empty behind me, but they say the maximum is 35'
Overall it is a nice view but the park rules seem to need to be evaluated.
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T-Mobile 5G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Excellent Premium site”
Reviewed 12/7/2023
| Nightly rate: | $70 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 29 |
| RV Length: | 33' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Well, premium is the beach side spot with dirt for 70 dollars. I guess if no one came they would lower the cost the state park. The beach below is rocks so you will have a hard time walking on it but down the road its a better walk. People at the store are really nice and we had music and drinks. They even had holiday decorations to b... more
Well, premium is the beach side spot with dirt for 70 dollars. I guess if no one came they would lower the cost the state park. The beach below is rocks so you will have a hard time walking on it but down the road its a better walk. People at the store are really nice and we had music and drinks. They even had holiday decorations to boot.
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T-Mobile 5G
Simplicity would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Loved It. - No Hookups ”
Reviewed 10/28/2022
| Nightly rate: | $70 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 14 |
Overall Rating
We stayed in our sprinter shorty with two dogs on required 6 foot leash overlooking the pacific. $70 site with no benefits except nearly unobstructed view of the pacific. Most premier ocean view sites have bushes between the spots. Some do not. I thought it was a fantastic stay and enjoyed it thoroughly. $70 is a bit much for a ... more
We stayed in our sprinter shorty with two dogs on required 6 foot leash overlooking the pacific. $70 site with no benefits except nearly unobstructed view of the pacific.
Most premier ocean view sites have bushes between the spots. Some do not. I thought it was a fantastic stay and enjoyed it thoroughly.
$70 is a bit much for a campsite with no services but most don’t come with this view.
The bathrooms were VERY clean. The showers were hot. I had leftover tokens but downside no token machines AT the showers seems you need to get tokens where you come in. So consider that on your way in. One token $0.50. Is for 2 min hot water. Easily get clean with hot water for a dollar.
I’ll be back.
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Verizon 5G
camper-729162 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Lots of campers. Ocean view.”
Reviewed 8/25/2022
| Site Number: | 14 |
|---|
Overall Rating
There are lots of people arriving and leaving every day, so the vibe overall is busy. Lots of people including locals walking and running through the campground because it provides beach and surfing access. Dogs only allowed on leash, and not on the beach. Sites are on dirt with limited privacy hedges between spots. Most sites are larg... more
There are lots of people arriving and leaving every day, so the vibe overall is busy. Lots of people including locals walking and running through the campground because it provides beach and surfing access. Dogs only allowed on leash, and not on the beach. Sites are on dirt with limited privacy hedges between spots. Most sites are large enough for 2 vehicles/RVs, and overall level. The campground is on a bluff high above the beach, and there are several stairways down to the beach.
Bring your locks for bikes, generators, solar and other valuables. We didn’t lose anything but there were warning signs about HIGH THEFT RISK posted throughout the campground.
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Verizon 5G
WeVamoosed #wevamoosed would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Good crowded beach campground ”
Reviewed 8/7/2021
| Nightly rate: | $35 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| RV Length: | 25' (Class C) |
Overall Rating
Campground is on a bluff above a nice popular beach. Dogs are not allowed on beach anywhere. The campground is very popular with families so plenty of kids on bikes all day patrolling. There is a very nice store area with food and beer/wine and when we were there a guy playing guitar for people enjoying food and beverages at sunset. O... more
Campground is on a bluff above a nice popular beach. Dogs are not allowed on beach anywhere. The campground is very popular with families so plenty of kids on bikes all day patrolling. There is a very nice store area with food and beer/wine and when we were there a guy playing guitar for people enjoying food and beverages at sunset. Overall a nice campground for Southern California beach camping.
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AT&T 4G
Jāni Z. would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice view”
Reviewed 3/8/2021
| Nightly rate: | $57 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 170 |
| RV Length: | 19' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
We stayed here for a quick photoshoot in Carlsbad and loved the idea of being right on the beach. The view is beautiful so we’re glad we went for one night but probably wouldn’t go back. The sites are small and packed next to each other and there are no hookups so it's a nice view but not worth the price. We don’t recommend it if y... more
We stayed here for a quick photoshoot in Carlsbad and loved the idea of being right on the beach. The view is beautiful so we’re glad we went for one night but probably wouldn’t go back. The sites are small and packed next to each other and there are no hookups so it's a nice view but not worth the price.
We don’t recommend it if you need to work because there’s no electrical connection and the cell service isn’t reliable. But definitely go here if you are on vacation and just want to hang out by the beach.
T-mobile: download = 10mb / upload = < 1mb
✅ PROS
On the ocean - great views
❌ CONS
No privacy
Chain link fence blocks the view
Sticklers about 2 pm check-in (we rocked up 7 minutes early and they wouldn’t let us in)
Small lots
Bad cell signal (t-mobile and AT&T)
No hookups
Pricey for no hookups
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T-Mobile 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Awesome beach camping”
Reviewed 11/5/2020
| Nightly rate: | $35 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 83 |
| RV Length: | 32' (Class C) |
Overall Rating
Love this campsite!! Definitely will try for a site on the water side next time for the view. The stairs leading down to the sand are like 3 stories in length and pretty spread out, so try and get a spot close to stairs. The showers are token operated and the only token station is at the checkin kiosk and cash only. It’s a big campsite... more
Love this campsite!! Definitely will try for a site on the water side next time for the view. The stairs leading down to the sand are like 3 stories in length and pretty spread out, so try and get a spot close to stairs. The showers are token operated and the only token station is at the checkin kiosk and cash only. It’s a big campsite so bring a bike or get the tokens on your way in! Loved the site. Many of the SoCal beach campsites have the train tracks super close but this doesn’t! You hear a bit of street traffic, but mostly just the rolling waves!
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Verizon 4G
Kelmo would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great waterfront camping. ”
Reviewed 2/8/2020
| Nightly rate: | $50 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 156 |
Overall Rating
This is a state park, right on the water. The premium sites are literally on the bluff of the ocean. Some of the sites can accommodate up to a 45 foot rig from the fence to the road. The sites are all about 40 to 45 feet wide. Great cell coverage on both AT&T and Verizon. Was getting about 50 Mb per second on AT&T. Generator hours a... more
This is a state park, right on the water. The premium sites are literally on the bluff of the ocean. Some of the sites can accommodate up to a 45 foot rig from the fence to the road. The sites are all about 40 to 45 feet wide. Great cell coverage on both AT&T and Verizon. Was getting about 50 Mb per second on AT&T. Generator hours are strict from 10 AM to 8 PM. You can hear the crashing waves all day and all night, so that drowns out any generator noise pretty well.
The Pacific coast highway is right next to the campground, so you do hear road noise day and night. I’m sure it’s especially loud if you’re in a tent or a soft sided RV.
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
rollindolans would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful oceanfront campground”
Reviewed 1/22/2020
| Nightly rate: | $50 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | North End 3 |
| RV Length: | 31' (Class A) |
Overall Rating
Amazing experience right on the coast. Didn't make use of any of the facilities, but the grounds were clean and well cared for. Beautiful beach to explore at low tide.
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T-Mobile 4G
fwbubba would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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179 reviews
South Carlsbad & San Clemente State Beaches - WatsonsWander
February 25 – March 4 Almost immediately after changing course for the coast we started looking for open sites at the string of state beach campgrounds that line the southern California coast....
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Connectivity
- wifi: free
Facilities
- dump station
- recycle
- showers
- water available
Pets
- pets
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