State beach · North Beach
Tamarack State Beach
The Tamarack Avenue section of Carlsbad State Beach, a surf beach at the south end of the Pine Avenue-Tamarack Avenue seawall with restrooms and showers. State Parks lists the beach as "Open with restrictions": the Tamarack day-use parking lot is closed to vehicles after summer 2026 swells eroded it (open to walkers and cyclists; reopening unknown). State Parks takes events of up to 50-100 guests here, but only outside peak season (no events from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend); groups over 25 need a permit. Bounce houses, glass and fires (except self-standing propane or butane stoves) are not allowed; alcohol only under a special event permit with a State Parks peace officer at $105/hour (4-hour minimum).
Published prices
| Fee | Price |
|---|---|
| Vehicle day-use parking (District rate range)The District special-event terms list 'Regular Day Use Fee - $10.00-$20.00 per vehicle' ($10 is the low end); no day-use fee is published on the Carlsbad State Beach unit page. Lots are operated by LAZ Parking. The Tamarack lot is closed to vehicles (Sept. 2026). Bus parking $50 (10-24 passengers) / $100 (25+). Parking is not included in an event permit. | $10–20 / 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 |
Bookable areas (1)
- Tamarack State Beach special-event location: State Parks says it 'can accommodate 50-100 max attendees'; unavailable during peak season (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend); one event per day; request at least 45/60/90 days ahead via the State Parks Request for Parks Availability form
At a glance
- Capacity
- 100 guests
- Setting
- Outdoor
- Hours
- 6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily; parking lots and restrooms 7 a.m.-10 p.m. (State Order 935-612-001, March 5, 2026, item 1; unit page). Tamarack day-use lot closed to vehicles until further notice.
- Parking
- Limited or no on-site parking
- Run by
- California State Parks, San Diego Coast District
Amenities
- Restrooms
- Playground · not listed
- Picnic tables · not listed
- BBQ grills (no)
- Sports fields (no)
- Beach access
- Dogs allowed (no)
- Accessible (ADA)
Rules
- Alcohol
- Prohibited on the beach (State Order 935-612-001 item 3, March 5, 2026; CMC 8.44.020). A special event permit can allow alcohol in limited, designated areas; a State Parks Peace Officer at $105/hour (4-hour minimum) is then required, plus an ABC permit if alcohol is sold or given away at a public event. No glass containers on the beach (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. 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)). No awnings, chairs, tables or barbecues in parking lots (Order item 15). At permitted events, tents go on the site plan and no stakes or fasteners are allowed.
- Other rules
- TAMARACK LOT CLOSED TO VEHICLES (State Parks, last checked 9/26/2026): 'Recent summer swells and high tides have eroded significant sections of Carlsbad State Beach, including the Tamarack parking lot... It is unknown when the lot will reopen to vehicles.' Groups of more than 25 people need a State Parks special event permit (Order 935-612-001 item 13(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 (except the strip next to Carlsbad Blvd east of the bluff fence between Cherry Avenue (the posted order says 'Cherry Street') and Tamarack Avenue), no alcohol, no glass, no fires, including charcoal (the exception: self-standing propane or butane burners with 6-inch clearance), no smoking except paved roads and lots, no drones without a permit, no tailgating or chairs/tables/BBQs in parking lots, day-use vehicles over 25 ft long or 9 ft wide banned from the Tamarack and Offshore lots, no skateboards/bikes/scooters on the Pine-Tamarack seawall, no surfing where signs or flags prohibit it. 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). Current restriction: the Tamarack day-use lot is closed to vehicles after summer 2026 erosion; reopening unknown. Park phone (760) 720-7001.
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.
Location
Carlsbad Blvd & Tamarack Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008 (part of Carlsbad State Beach) · Pin from OpenStreetMap (Tamarack Beach). 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.
- parks.ca.gov/?page_id=653
- parks.ca.gov/pages/653/files/2026%20SDCD%20Posted%20Order%20-%20Carlsbad%20SB%20-%20ADA.pdf
- parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31759
- parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26888
- parks.ca.gov/?page_id=29608
- parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31857
- ecode360.com/44005772
- ecode360.com/44007432
- carlsbadca.gov/residents/about-carlsbad/beaches/about-carlsbad-beaches
Abbreviations: CMC: Carlsbad Municipal Code (City code) · CCR: California Code of Regulations · ABC: California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control · AV: audio-visual