State beach · South Beach

South Carlsbad State Beach

7201 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad, CA 92008 Partly verified Checked September 2026

A long bluff-top State beach with a 220-site campground, stairs to the sand, picnic areas, restrooms and showers, drinking water, a camp store and paid day-use lots ($10, or $20 on holidays, in season and weekends). It has the biggest State Parks event site in Carlsbad: the Pelican Point campsite for up to 150 guests (alcohol allowed with the permit; available in peak season on weekdays), plus the campfire center for group events. Any group over 25 needs a State Parks special event permit; no bounce houses, glass or fires on the beach. The Terra Mar bluff area (between Cerezo Drive and Manzano Drive) is closed through Dec. 31, 2026.

Published prices

Fee	Price
Vehicle day-use parking, regularState Parks' South Carlsbad State Beach page: 'Vehicle Day Use (Regular): $10.00'. 'Special rates may apply for peak season, high demand holiday periods, and during weekends. Prices are subject to change without notice.' Parking is not included in an event permit; lots run by LAZ Parking.	$10 / car
Vehicle day-use parking, special holiday/seasonal/weekend rateState Parks' South Carlsbad State Beach page: 'Vehicle Day Use (Special Holiday/Seasonal/Weekend Rate): $20.00'. Bus parking $50 (10-24 passengers) / $100 (25+) per the District terms.	$20 / car
State Parks special event permit fee (required above 25 people)Not published: the State Parks FAQ says permit fees depend on the number of attendees and the complexity of the event. Paid upfront, non-refundable once booked. A park monitor may be required (fee varies, 4-hour minimum). Documents, insurance and payment due 30 days before; $25 per business day late fee.	Not published
Liability insurance naming the State of California (required for every event)At least $500,000; $1,000,000 combined single limit if State Parks deems the event higher-hazard. Price not published; buy your own one-day event policy.	Not published
State Parks Peace Officer (required for any event with alcohol)4-hour minimum; alcohol also needs the permit's approval and an ABC permit if sold or given away at a public event.	$105 / hr
Late document feeCharged for each business day the application, payment or insurance is late after the 30-day deadline.	$25 / business day
Extra vehicle at a campsiteCampground only: 'Additional vehicles must register and pay additional fees. (CURRENTLY, $15.00 EACH VEHICLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE)'. Campsites max 3 vehicles (4 with dual hookups), 8 people.	$15 / car

Bookable areas (4)

Pelican Point Campsite (7201 Carlsbad Blvd): 150 max attendees; alcohol allowed with the necessary permit; available during peak season (weekdays only Memorial Day-Labor Day)
South Carlsbad campfire center: group events by application (sd.specialevents@parks.ca.gov); fees apply
South Ponto (State Parks gives a mailing address of Encinitas, CA 92024): State Parks says it 'can accommodate 50-100 max attendees'; unavailable during peak season; the Compass Point area is not ADA accessible
North Ponto (6039-6325 Carlsbad Blvd): 25 max attendees; available during peak season (see the Ponto Beach page)

One event per location per day; request at least 45/60/90 days ahead via the State Parks Request for Parks Availability form

At a glance

Capacity: 150 guests
Setting: Outdoor
Hours: Posted order (March 5, 2026): park closed 11 p.m.-6 a.m.; South Ponto day-use closed sunset-7 a.m.; North Ponto closed 10 p.m.-7 a.m. The unit page says 'Dawn to sunset. Call the park to confirm.' Campground kiosk 8 a.m.-9 p.m. in high season, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. in low season.
Parking: Available
Run by: California State Parks, San Diego Coast District

Amenities

Restrooms
Playground · not listed
Picnic tables
BBQ grills (no)
Sports fields (no)
Beach access
Dogs allowed (no)
Accessible (ADA)

Rules

Alcohol: Prohibited on the beach and day-use areas (State Order 935-652-001 item 8, March 5, 2026; CMC 8.44.020); allowed only within designated campsites in the campground or in limited, designated areas under a special event permit (Pelican Point events: alcohol allowed with the necessary permit), which then requires a State Parks Peace Officer at $105/hour (4-hour minimum) and an ABC permit if alcohol is sold or given away. No glass except within the campground (item 4).
Bounce houses: Not permitted at State Parks special events ('Inflatables or bounce houses are not permitted', District terms). No rule is posted for casual day use, but any set-up beyond a typical day-use activity requires a permit (FAQ), so a bounce house on the beach is effectively not allowed.
Amplified sound: State regulation 14 CCR 4320(b): no speakers, radios or other devices at a volume that is or is likely to be disturbing to others without Department permission. Campground quiet hours 10 p.m.-6 a.m.; generators not allowed 8 p.m.-10 a.m. Event AV equipment and power must appear on the permit site plan.
Canopies: Beach tents or shelters are allowed only with an unobstructed view through them from at least two sides (14 CCR 4323(c)). Keep any equipment at least 10 feet from bluff edges (Order item 18). No awnings, chairs, tables or barbecues in parking lots (item 16). At permitted events, tents go on the site plan and no stakes or fasteners are allowed.
Other rules: Campground: check-in 2 p.m.; campsites limited to 8 people and 3 vehicles (large groups may require a special event permit); quiet hours 10 p.m.-6 a.m.; day visitors out by 10 p.m.; generators banned 8 p.m.-10 a.m.; token showers for registered campers. Groups of more than 25 people need a State Parks special event permit (Order 935-652-001 item 22(b); FAQ). Lead time 45 days for simple events, 60 moderate, 90 complex; requests up to a year ahead; all documents, insurance ($500,000 minimum naming the State of California) and fees due 30 days before, $25 per business day late fee. At permitted events: no balloons, confetti, flower petals, rice, sparklers or eggs; no stakes or fasteners; no inflatables or bounce houses; no glass of any kind; no wood or charcoal; no fireworks; horseshoes never allowed on the beach; selling or handing out food, drinks or merchandise only if the permit authorizes it (health permits may be needed); site plan with tables, chairs, tents, AV and power due 30 days ahead. No events on Saturdays or Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day or on any holiday weekend. One event per location per day; first come, first served; start with the State Parks 'Request for Parks Availability' form (sd.specialevents@parks.ca.gov), allow up to 10 business days for a reply. The permit fee is non-refundable once the date is booked; cancelling less than 10 business days ahead also forfeits 25% of the site fee (State Parks' charge for the event site, which it doesn't publish); no weather refunds. Beach rules for everyone: no dogs on the beach (campground only, on a leash shorter than 6 feet), no alcohol or glass on the beach, no fires, including charcoal (the exception: self-standing propane or butane burners with 6-inch clearance; campsites may use charcoal or gas stoves and the State fire pits), no smoking except paved roads and lots, no drones (RC gliders only at 'Dave's Beach' near Palomar Airport Road), no tailgating or chairs/tables/BBQs in parking lots, day-use vehicles over 25 ft long or 9 ft wide banned from the North and South Ponto lots, stay off the bluffs, juvenile curfew 8 p.m.-6 a.m. March 1-May 1. The Terra Mar bluff area (between Cerezo Drive and Manzano Drive) is closed through Dec. 31, 2026. City code also bans surfboards in the surf 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 15-Oct. 1 outside designated areas (CMC 11.32.090). Campground kiosk 760-438-3143; reservations ReserveCalifornia 1-800-444-7275.

All Carlsbad park party rules

How to book

More than 25 people, or any party that goes beyond normal beach use (set-up, catering, a hired vendor, alcohol), needs a State Parks special event permit: send State Parks' online Request for Parks Availability form (questions: sd.specialevents@parks.ca.gov) at least 45 days ahead (60 for moderate and 90 for complex events), and up to a year ahead. No events on summer weekends or holiday weekends, and some sites close for all of peak season (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend); $500,000 insurance naming the State.

Application and booking info Official website

Location

7201 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad, CA 92008 (campground entrance; northbound on Carlsbad Blvd, U-turn at Breakwater Rd; the unit runs from La Costa Avenue to Palomar Airport Road) · Pin from OpenStreetMap. Get directions

Nearby

Sources

We checked these pages in September 2026. Prices change; confirm with the venue before you book. Something out of date? Tell us.

Abbreviations: CMC: Carlsbad Municipal Code (City code) · CCR: California Code of Regulations · ABC: California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control · ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act · AV: audio-visual