Beacon's Beach

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Beacon's is located along Neptune Ave at W Leucadia Blvd. There is a goat trail down the bluff from the parking lot.
Learn what Beacon’s Beach has to offer. North of Encinitas in Leucadia, this surfing spot and rocky beach is a wonderful place to spend a few hours or a full day.
Todd Sarouhan
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Why you'll love this beach
Why you'll love this beach
Surf, Sunbathe or Take a Stroll at Secluded Beacon’s Beach
Beacon's Beach
Overview
Go Pass & Save
Things to Do
Popular Activities
Get There & Parking
Featured Activity
Know Before You Go
Stay Nearby
Similar Beaches

Highlights

Things to Do
Tips
How to get there
Parking
Things to Do
Tips
How to get there
Parking

Overview

Beachgoers at Beacons BeachCrashing Waves at Beacons Beach

Just north of Encinitas in the Leucadia neighborhood lies a small, secluded beach commonly called Beacon’s Beach. It is technically called South Leucadia State Beach. However, the locals and most others continue to use “Beacon’s” as the name.

It is a relatively quiet strip of sand that is harder to access than some of the other beaches in the area. This helps make the beach a favorite with the surfers and sunbathers that live in the area. There are significantly fewer people both on the beach and in the water compared to Moonlight State Beach and the rest of the Leucadia coastline.

You’ll find plenty of things to do at this beach. Whether you want to enjoy a pleasant coastal stroll, head out surfing or soak up the sun, Beacon’s Beach has something to offer.

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Things to Do

Sunbathing
Sunbathing
Surfing
Surfing
Swimming
Swimming

Reasons to Explore Beacon’s Beach

Beacon’s Beach is a fun place to spend a few hours or a full day. These are some of the most notable reasons to visit the beach:

Fun in the Sun

The beach has a wonderful stretch of golden sand at the bottom of the Leucadia cliffs. Sunbathing is one of the most popular activities at Beacon’s Beach. It is relatively secluded, making it a great place to lie in the sun and catch some rays.

This beach is rockier than some of the others in the San Diego area. Nonetheless, there is plenty of soft sand to spread out on.

Although the sand is not as wide as some other beaches in the area, this strip provides plenty of room for relaxing. If you are there during the evening, you can enjoy the incredible views over the ocean as the sun sets in the west.

Local Tips
Did you know?
Beacon's beach is officially known as South Leucadia State Beach but locals call it Beacon's. This state beach is operated by the city of Encinitas.

If you want to cool off in the water, this area is calmer than many other beaches. Whether you want to swim or just wade, the ocean is always inviting at Beacon’s Beach.

Note that there are no lifeguard stations, so using caution is always a good idea.

Surfing at Beacon’s

Beacon’s Beach is a notable spot for surfing. The frequency of waves is very consistent. The waves are relatively easy to surf and are accessible for all experience levels, even beginners.

Below the surf is a flat rock bottom with sand. This creates both right and left breaking waves on this beach break. With hollow but powerful surf, this area is a lot of fun with just the right amount of challenge.

Although some very experienced surfers may prefer some of the world-class spots in the area, most people can agree that Beacon’s Beach is worth a visit. Whether you want to enjoy a little relaxing surfing or to get your first lesson, this is a good place to head.

Enjoyable Walks

Many visitors to Beacon’s Beach take advantage of the relatively small crowds to take a nice walk along the sand. At low tide, you can make your way south to Moonlight State Beach.

People also enjoy walking along the top of the bluffs where possible. Pets aren’t allowed on the sand, but many people walk them on the cliffs.

Stay Nearby at Kate Stanton Inn

Looking to stay longer in Leucadia? Kate Stanton Inn is a homey bed & breakfast with luxurious touches. This hotel only has 4 rooms and it offers a free full breakfast and free Wi-Fi while you are relaxing either in your room or in the lobby.

How to Get There & Parking

Free Parking
Free Parking
Neighborhood Parking
Neighborhood Parking
Street Parking
Street Parking

Getting to Beacon’s

To get to the beach, exit the I-5 and head west on Leucadia Boulevard. Follow this as far as possible until it intersects with Neptune Avenue. The parking lot is almost immediately next to this intersection.

Parking at Beacon’s Beach

The parking is free at the top of the beach although the lot is fairly small. If it is too crowded to park, there is some street parking in the area.

Getting down to the beach is made a little complicated by the cliffs. There is a winding path with switchbacks to hike down. While this is perfectly safe, be careful trying to climb anywhere other than the approved path as the cliff can be unstable.

Although climbing down is less than ideal, it helps to keep the beach quiet. You’ll mostly see locals there with few tourists.

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Know Before You Go & Tips

No Alcohol
No Alcohol
No Camping
No Camping
No Glass Containers
No Glass Containers
No Motorized Vehicles
No Motorized Vehicles
No Smoking
No Smoking
Public Transportation
Public Transportation
Trash Cans Available
Trash Cans Available

Tips to Know About Beacon’s Beach

The Name

As mentioned above, the official name of the beach is South Leucadia State Beach. Despite this, the name on the sign is Beacon’s Beach, leading to some confusion for visitors. Just know that they are the same place.

Water Safety

The surf is calmer at Beacon’s Beach than at many other beaches in the San Diego area. Nonetheless, there are rip tides and other dangers. Since there are no lifeguards, use extra caution when going in the water.

Minimal Facilities

This is a quiet beach. For many people, that is a positive aspect, but it also means that there are no bathrooms or showers. Moonlight State Beach and some other nearby beaches have more facilities near them.

Beacon's Beach
is Known For:
Surfing
Surfing
Know This:
Trash Cans Available
Trash Cans Available
This Month's Forecast
67°F / 79°F
Sunny in September
Oct
63°F / 78°F
Sunny in October
Nov
56°F / 73°F
Sunny in November
Dec
51°F / 68°F
Sunny in December

Stay Nearby

Quality Inn Encinitas
Near Legoland
2 Star Rating2 Star Rating
Quality Inn Encinitas
from $76 / night
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Leucadia Beach Inn
Family Friendly
2 Star Rating2 Star Rating
Leucadia Beach Inn
from $74 / night
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Rodeway Inn Encinitas North
Near San Diego Zoo
2 Star Rating2 Star Rating
Rodeway Inn Encinitas North
from $55 / night
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Kate Stanton Inn
Boutique Hotel
4 Star Rating4 Star Rating4 Star Rating4 Star Rating
Kate Stanton Inn
from $199 / night
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