Carlsbad State Beach is open 6am to 11pm, with its parking lot open 7am to 10pm. Cardiff State Beach is the same, 6am to 11pm. South Carlsbad and San Elijo are dawn to sunset, and Torrey Pines' gates close at sunset: sunset today is about 4:53pm (calculated for Fletcher Cove). Moonlight Beach in Encinitas closes only 2am to 4am.
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Beach hours, south to north
| Beach | Beach hours | Gates and parking | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad State Beach | 6am to 11pm | Parking lot 7am to 10pm | The Tamarack day-use lot is closed to cars (erosion from summer swells and high tides); walk or bike in. State Parks |
| South Carlsbad State Beach | Dawn to sunset | Day use $10 ($20 peak) | State Parks says call the park to confirm. State Parks |
| Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) | Closed 2am to 4am | - | Fire rings close at 10pm (the City's sign at the beach, PJ's photo, Oct 15). |
| San Elijo State Beach (Cardiff) | Dawn to sunset | Day use $8 ($20 peak) | State Parks |
| Cardiff State Beach | 6am to 11pm | Gates 7am to sunset | State Parks |
| Torrey Pines State Beach | - | Gates 7:15am to sunset; entrance kiosk from 9am | State Parks |
Read October 16, 2026 on California State Parks' own pages (linked in each row); Moonlight Beach from the City of Encinitas sign at the beach. "Dawn to sunset" closes at sunset: sunset times.
Del Mar, Solana Beach and Oceanside
We couldn't find posted beach hours on any City of Del Mar, Solana Beach or Oceanside page we could read, so this page doesn't guess: check the signs at the access stairs, or ask the lifeguards. Solana Beach's own safety advice: "Stay well away from the bluffs, overhangs, and caves at all times."
Solana Beach quote from the City's summer beach and ocean safety guidelines.
More: beach fire rules by town · why Carlsbad's beach looks rocky · Carlsbad beach parking · Oceanside beach parking · is the water clean today?
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Questions people ask
What time does Carlsbad beach close?
Carlsbad State Beach is open 6am to 11pm and its parking lot 7am to 10pm, per California State Parks. South Carlsbad State Beach is open dawn to sunset.
What time does Moonlight Beach close?
The City of Encinitas sign at Moonlight Beach says the beach is closed 2am to 4am and the fire rings close at 10pm.
When does Torrey Pines State Beach close?
State Parks says the gates open at 7:15am and close at sunset; the entrance kiosk opens at 9am.
What time does Cardiff State Beach close?
The beach is open 6am to 11pm daily; the gates open at 7am and close at sunset (California State Parks).
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