The three-mile South Carlsbad State Beach is located on the water in Carlsbad, California. The majority of this state beach is located in front of the straight South Carlsbad Campground, which occupies the space left by Carlsbad Boulevard’s (Highway 101) asphalt between the sand and the ground. The highly sought-after campground, which has more than 200 campsites, is located on a bluff that is gradually eroding high above the shore. Make reservations well in advance, especially during the summer, if you want to camp here.

The beach, which can be narrow depending on tides, is accessible from the camping grounds by numerous lengthy stairs.

The campground regrettably lacks day-use parking places. The beach widens towards the entrance to Batiquitos Lagoon at the southernmost part of the campsite, where there is free day-use parking for beach access (next to South Ponto Beach). There is a comparable day-use parking area called North Ponto Beach at the campground’s northernmost point.