Grandview Surf Beach

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Grandview Beach is the north most beach in Leucadia that is part of Leucadia State Beach.
Grandview Surf Beach is at the base of steep cliffs in Leucadia. The beach offers consistently fun surfing and is pleasantly uncrowded.
Todd Sarouhan
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Why you'll love this beach
Why you'll love this beach
No Crowds, Local Flavor and Great Surf at Grandview Surf Beach
Grandview Surf Beach
Overview
Explore & 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

Beach and Cliffs at Grandview Surf BeachLongboarder Enjoying a Fun Wave at Grandview Surf Beach

Looking for a fun, non-touristy beach with free parking where you can surf to your heart's content? Enter Grandview Surf Beach in the Encinitas community of Leucadia. It joins Beacon's and Stone Steps as a popular surfing beach in the area, although visitors must navigate the steep staircases.

Grandview Surf Beach is in a residential area and can be hard to find. It is the north beach access point at Leucadia State Beach, with the closest bathrooms at South Ponto Beach, about half a mile away. You won't find anything fancy and tourist-oriented at Grandview or any of Leucadia's beaches.

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Things to Do

Sunbathing
Sunbathing

Why Grandview Surf Beach Is Awesome

Hidden Gem

The waves at Grandview are consistently good to the point that multiple surf schools operate here. Many, if not most, Grandview visitors are surfers and longboarders. However, plenty of folks come for the views and the walks.

Use the bathroom before you travel to Grandview. Prepare for a tough little walk up the staircase after a few fun hours at the beach.

Great for Everybody

All types of folks love Grandview Surf Beach. Whether you surf, fish, watch birds, dive, sunbathe, collect rocks or stroll on the sand, there's something for you at Grandview.

Little Crowds & No Facilities

One of the beach's big selling points is the lack of people. Many other beaches in the San Diego area get crowded. Not so Grandview Surf Beach.

Local Tips
Want to Surf at Grandview?
Though there are not a lot of sunbathers and beachgoers the surf line up can get crowded. Arrive early to avoid crowded waves.

It's part of Leucadia State Beach in the Leucadia neighborhood, which is operated by the City of Encinitas Parks and Recreation Department. Grandview guests get all of the space they do due to the lack of bathrooms and the steep walk down to the beach via a staircase. In other words, there are practical reasons for solitude, but many folks happily take the tradeoff.

For example, one alternative is the extremely popular South Ponto Beach a mile north in Carlsbad. Come summertime, it's common to see drivers wait in line for hours just to park at Ponto State. Grandview is a totally different story.

Sandy Beach at Low Tide

Grandview Surf Beach is a sandy beach at low tide. When there is a high tide most of the beach can get covered up. The amount of sand does vary, usually winter has less sand and tends summer can have more sand. This is due to the gentler ocean conditions that pushes the sand on the beach in the summer and the opposite effect in the winter.

Still, the beach is sandy enough for most visitors to more than enjoy their sunset strolls.

Where Grandview Surf Beach Shines

Where Grandview really shines is in three areas. First, the lower crowds. Second, the grand views! Third, consistent surfing and longboarding opportunities.

Grandview is a small, laid-back beach, but it delivers some fantastic waves. As far as "neighborhood" surf beaches go, Grandview comes up tops.

Know Your Limits

Do be careful about surfing and longboarding at Grandview when it's crowded. That can occur on some weekends and when the waves are especially surfer-friendly. The waves can get strong, so watch yourself and know your limits.

Best Tides for Surfing at Grandview

All of the tide stages here provide good surf and a rising tide is better than a lowering tide. Grandview Surf Beach features lefts and rights together with left and right offshore reef breaks. Several surf schools operate here, so sign up for a surf lesson if you are looking to learn how to surf.

How to Get There & Parking

Free Parking
Free Parking
Lot Parking
Lot Parking
Street Parking
Street Parking

Getting to Grandview Beach

Grandview Beach is relatively easy, take the I-5 and exit La Costa Ave and head west. Turn left on N Coast Hwy 101for about 1.4 miles and turn right on Grandview Street. Then take a right on Neptune Ave. You will arrive at the main beach access located on the left.

Alternatively, you can input, "1700 Neptune Ave., Encinitas, CA 92024," into your map smartphone app for directions or your car GPS. Don't put, "Grandview Surf Beach," because you may get directed to another spot.

Parking Near Grandview Beach

The parking at Grandview Surf Beach is free but not exactly plentiful on weekends. The best option is to park in the lot at the north end of Neptune Avenue near Grandview Street. On weekends, you may have to search around for street parking. Note that there are ADA-accessible spaces.

Getting to the Beach

After you park, take the long wooden stairway down to the beach. It's a good workout!

If you have trouble navigating staircases, consider skipping Grandview. Head instead to Moonlight Beach. It even features a ramp from the parking lot onto the beach.

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Know Before You Go & Tips

Lifeguards
Lifeguards
No Alcohol
No Alcohol
No Camping
No Camping
No Dogs
No Dogs
No Glass Containers
No Glass Containers
No Motorized Vehicles
No Motorized Vehicles
No Smoking
No Smoking
Outdoor Showers
Outdoor Showers
Public Transportation
Public Transportation
Shade
Shade
Trash Cans Available
Trash Cans Available

Key Things to Know

Clean Beach

Clean beach with good water quality and picturesque views.

No Bathrooms

No bathrooms, the closest bathroom is at South Ponto Beach, about half a mile north.

Outdoor Shower

There is a public shower at the base of the stairs.

Lifeguards

There are no permanent lifeguards, but guards are usually on duty during the summer.

Beach Rules

No dogs, smoking, grilling or alcohol are allowed on the beach at any time.

Limited Access

Grandview Beach is not stroller-friendly or wheelchair-friendly due to the many stairs at its access point.

Steep Stairs

There is a steep staircase that winds some visitors. There are areas to take breaks if necessary.

Check the Tides

Always check the tides before you visit, whether you're a walker, sunbather or surfer. Note that walking space is limited when the surf is big and the tide is high.

Unstable Cliffs

You are most likely safe if you visit Grandview Surf Beach, but heed any warning posts you see on the sand. They tell you to keep away from certain areas—do it! Keep in mind that cliff collapses can occur in good and bad weather alike. Some people think nice weather means no chance of a bluff collapse. Not so.

Collapses are the result of years and years of erosion, wind, wave breaks and other factors slowly affecting bluff stability. Unfortunately, rising seas are expected to contribute to more bluff failures along the coast in the coming decades.

Grandview Surf Beach
is Known For:
Surfing
Surfing
Know This:
Lifeguards
Lifeguards
Outdoor Showers
Outdoor Showers
Trash Cans Available
Trash Cans Available
This Month's Forecast
63°F / 73°F
Partly Cloudy in June
Jul
67°F / 77°F
Sunny in July
Aug
69°F / 79°F
Sunny in August
Sep
67°F / 79°F
Sunny in September

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