South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

South Carlsbad State Beach has a large campground on top of an ocean bluff, with stairs down to the beach. California State Parks numbers the sites 1 to 223, six of them for camp hosts, and 13 have full hookups. Oceanfront sites cost $70 a night and inland sites $50; hookup sites run $75 to $140. Book on ReserveCalifornia.

Ocean Sites and Inland Sites

The park road splits the campground in two. Oceanfront sites sit on the bluff above the beach; State Parks calls them premium and notes they have no shade. Inland sites are across the park road. Stairways along the north and south ends of the campground lead down to the sand. See the campground map for site numbers.

Campsite Fees

From the park's campground map:

• Inland campsite: $50 a night
• Inland hookup: $75
• Ocean campsite: $70
• Ocean single hookup: $95
• Ocean double hookup: $140
• Pelican Point group site (with hookups): $650

The fee covers one vehicle and one legally towed trailer or tow vehicle. Second and third vehicles pay $15 a night each when you arrive. ReserveCalifornia adds a non-refundable $8.25 reservation fee. Disabled Discount Pass and Distinguished Veteran Pass holders can get discounted rates. See reservations.

Hookups and RVs

Hookup sites include power, water and sewer. A double hookup site may hold two RVs or two trailers and up to four licensed vehicles. Motorhomes and trailers are limited to 35 feet. The dump station is open to all campers for an extra fee; State Parks set a $10 fee per use at its dump stations in 2018, paid by card at the station. Sites with their own sewer hookup do not pay it.

Trailer rentals: only State Parks' approved concessionaires may deliver and set up a rental trailer on your site: Luv 2 Camp, MLG Enterprises RV Rentals and The Holidays Camping. No other RV vendors are allowed in.

Showers, Restrooms and Supplies

Every restroom and shower building has accessible facilities. The showers take tokens; token machines are at the ranger station and the campfire center, and the showers are for registered campers only. The Camp Store near the entrance sells ice, firewood, groceries and beach rentals and runs a pizza restaurant. Wi-Fi is not available.

Campground Rules

• Check-in is 2 p.m., with no early check-in. Check-out is noon.
• Occupancy: 8 people and 3 vehicles per site (4 vehicles on a double hookup). Park inside your site, off the road and behind the site number.
• Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Radios must not carry beyond your site at any time.
• Generators: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. only.
• Visitors: guests who are not registered must leave by 10 p.m.
• Fires: wood fires only in campground fire rings. No pallets or treated wood. Firewood is sold at the Camp Store.
• Alcohol and glass: alcohol only in your campsite; glass containers only within the campground. Neither on the beach.
• Dogs: on a leash no longer than 6 feet, in a tent or vehicle at night, never on the beach. See dogs.
• Plants and bluff: all plants are protected. Do not tie things to plants or put gear in the planted areas between sites.
• Speed limit: 15 mph.
• Minors: campers under 18 need a parent present or a signed letter of permission, and must be in their own site from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. From March 1 to May 1 a juvenile curfew covers the whole park from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Stay Limits

From March to November you can stay up to 7 nights in a row; from December to February, up to 14. After either limit you must be out of the park for 48 hours before returning. No one may stay more than 30 nights a year at this park.

Pelican Point Group Camp

Pelican Point is the campground's group site: up to 40 people and 10 vehicles, with 6 picnic tables, a fire pit and 2 hookups (50 amp) with water. Only two vehicles may drive into the fenced site; the rest use the adjacent paved lot, and camping is allowed only inside the fence. It costs $650 a night and is listed as North Loop (Group Site) on ReserveCalifornia.

Theft

State Parks says theft is the most common crime along the coastal beaches, and most thefts are from unattended campsites. Lock bikes, coolers, fishing poles and surfboards in your car or tent at night, and get to know your neighbors.