State park
Cardiff State Beach
Cardiff State Beach is a state park in San Diego County, California. Day use costs $12 per vehicle. Hours: Gates open at 7am and close at Sunset.
Cardiff State Beach map
Cardiff State Beach boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
Common questions
- Cardiff State Beach has 2 developed campgrounds. Sites can be reserved in advance.
- Entry to Cardiff State Beach costs $12 per vehicle. Hours: Gates open at 7am and close at Sunset.
- No, day use at Cardiff State Beach does not need a reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.
- Yes, dogs are allowed at Cardiff State Beach.
Before you go
Day use needs no reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.
Camping at Cardiff State Beach
Cardiff State Beach has 2 developed campgrounds. Sites can be reserved in advance.
What to see
- Historic site Beach is open from 6am -11pm daily
- Feature Parking
- Feature Camping
- Feature Beach
Public lands next to Cardiff State Beach
- State parkCardiff State Beach borders San Elijo State Beach, a state park.
- BLM unitCalifornia Coastal National Monument is 1.5 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=656 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_state_parks (accessed 2026-09-28)