Moonlight State Beach is the best-known of the Encinitas beaches. It also ranks among the most popular beaches for families in San Diego County and kid-friendly California beaches. 

A little south down the Encinitas coastline, tucked where it swings east-southeast, the famous surfing mecca of Swami’s Beach also ranks among Greater San Diego’s most legendary beaches.

Beacon’s Beach is the south portion of the city-managed Leucadia State Beach, which forms Encinitas’s bluff-backed northern beachfront. 

As mentioned above, Grandview is the northernmost beach of the Leucadia State Beach complex. All things considered, it offers a similar sort of experience as Beacon’s to the south.

If you want a bit more of an out-of-the-way feel in your Encinitas sandy beach, consider D Street Beach and its contiguous southerly counterpart called “Boneyard Beach” (or simply “Boneyards”).

Officially spelled “Stonesteps” but often written (including on the lovely on-site mural not pictured above) as two words, Stone Steps Beach is a lower-on-the-radar seashore. 

Cardiff State Beach is a protected beach in the state park system of California, United States, located near San Diego. Popular activities include swimming, surfing, and beachcombing. 

Dog Beach is a protected beach in the state park system of California, United States, located near San Diego. Popular activities include swimming, surfing, and beachcombing.