Moonlight Beach
Wide sand beachbreak at Moonlight State Beach in central Encinitas, at the foot of B Street. A gently sloping sand bottom with no reef in the main peak zone.
When it’s on
Moonlight Beach works best on a SSW to WNW swell.
When beginners can paddle out
South through west swell at waist high or under, light wind, and a mid to high tide near a staffed lifeguard tower.
Spot intel
- Parking
- Free city lot at the beach off C Street, plus metered street parking in downtown Encinitas.
- Crowd
- Thick in season. Heavy learner, camp, and family presence.
- Beginner-friendly?
Yes.
A gently sloping sand bottom with no reef in the main zone, full lifeguard coverage in season, and direct flat access from the lot to the sand.
- Famous for
- The main city beach of Encinitas and the county's best-known learn-to-surf sand, at the foot of B Street.
- Lineup etiquette
- Beachbreak priority is per-wave from the peak, not by lineup position.
Where it breaks
- Coordinates
- 33.0453, -117.3069
- Shore faces
- W
- Region
- Encinitas / Cardiff, California
Common questions
- What swell direction is best for Moonlight Beach?
- Moonlight Beach works best on a SSW to WNW swell.
- How big does Moonlight Beach need to be?
- Moonlight Beach is best in the 2-5ft range on a 10-16s period.
- What are the best conditions at Moonlight Beach?
- Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 2-5ft.
- Where is Moonlight Beach?
- Moonlight Beach is a gentle town-beach sand in Encinitas / Cardiff, California. The beach faces W.
- Does GhostFingers forecast Moonlight Beach?
- Yes. GhostFingers grades Moonlight Beach with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, winter 2026.
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