Nearby
Events and Activities
Surfing Madonna Beach Run/Walk 5K/10K/15K
October TBA, 2021
Moonlight Beach
Kids' 1K at 1:15 PM
5K, 10K, 15k at 2:00 PM
Surfing Madonna Beach Run/Walk
Beach Volleyball Camp
Sinjin Smith & Randy Stoklos Beach Volleyball Camp
Glen Park, Encinitas
Boys and girls ages 7 - 16
Week-long sessions offered throughout the year through Encinitas Parks & Recreation.
Sinjin Smith & Randy Stoklos Beach Volleyball Camp
Wavecrest Woodies
3rd Saturday in September
An annual gathering of woodies at Moonlight Beach
Over 300 woodies, a day of music, raffles, and awards.
Wavecrest Woodies
San Diego Botanic Garden
230 Quail Gardens Dr.
Encinitas, CA
Open daily 9 AM to 5 PM, admission fee
Plants from around the world - Mexico, Central America, New Zealand, South Africa, Tropical Rain Forests, and many more.
San Diego Botanic Garden
Surfing Encinitas' Beaches
The beaches along the Encinitas coast rank as among the most inviting and exhilarating in San Diego County. Consistently good waves coupled with a long history of surfing, make Encinitas a surf haven. Among the most popular spots in Encinitas are Swami's and D Street, along with nearby Cardiff Reef and Seaside.
Swami's
The point break at Swami's is known by surfers around the world. The best swells roll in during the winter months, but Swami's can be crowded year-round. The point break, a beach break, and reef break all can produce great rides that attract both shortboarders and longboarders. The best waves are well off-shore, requiring a strenuous paddle to reach them.
Caution: Check with rangers or lifeguards that conditions are safe for your planned activities.
D Street
Just south of Moonlight Beach, D Street is usually crowded in the summer. Known for powerful waves, D Street is usually home to more experienced shortboarders. A sandbar break produces both lefts and rights.
Stone Steps
For uncrowded waves, many locals like to head to Stone Steps. Left and right breaks make for good rides. Nearby spots such as Roseta Street and Secrets are known to produce good waves under the right conditions, usually in the summer.
Surf Lessons and Camps
Moonlight Beach Surf Camps
Summer Surf Camps at Moonlight Beach, in partnership with the City of Encinitas Parks and Recreation. A safe, fun, and high energy environment for students to learn to surf and to improve on their surfing skills. Teacher - student ration 1:3. Morning sessions from 9 AM to noon, afternoon from 1 PM to 4 PM. 760-753-6870
Moonlight Beach Surf Camps
Encinitas Surf Lessons
Private and group lessons available for beginning to advanced surfers, provided by instructors with a deep passion for surfing. Boards and wetsuits are provided. Summer lessons are usually held at Ponto Beach.
Encinitas Surf Lessons
Maui Surf Academy
Private and group lessons at Swami's Beach for everyone from beginners to advanced. Half and full-day surf camps. Boards and wetsuits included.
Maui Surf Academy
Leucadia Surf School
Two-hour surfing lessons at Moonlight Beach - softboards and wetsuits provided. Private, semi-private, or small groups lessons available. Summer Surf Camp for all ages.
Leucadia Surf School
Wave Huggers Surf Lessons
Two-hour private lessons or share with a friend. Offered at major Southern California beaches, including Encinitas.
Wave Huggers Surf Lessons
Surfboard and Paddleboard Rentals
Concept Surf Shop
Surfboards, wetsuits, boogie boards, bikes, and beach chair rentals.
215 West D Street, Encinitas, CA
Concept Surf Shop
Progression Surf
Rentals of surfboards (hard and soft), stand-up paddleboards, bodyboards, wetsuits, fins
828 North Coast Highway 101, Leucadia, ca
Progression Surf
Hansen's Surfboards
Demo surfboards, soft surfboards, bodyboards, and wetsuits
1105 S. Coast Hwy. 101. Encinitas, CA
Hansen's Rentals
Paddle Planet
Stand-up paddleboard, kayak, surfboard, and bodyboard rentals.
996 N. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA
Paddle Planet
Moonlight Beach Playground
Nearby Bicycle Rentals
Ride Cyclery
449 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA
Road bikes, women's road bikes, mountain bikes, comfort bikes, and accessories.
Switchfoot Bro-Am
June TBA, 2021
The annual Switchfoot Bro-Am is usually held at Moonlight Beach in June from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. In 2021 the event will once again be virtual. In past years the free event featured a surf contest beginning at 7:00 AM and a beach concert from Noon to 5:00 PM. The event benefits local at-risk youth and humanitarian causes through the Switchfoot Bro-Am Foundation.
Activities kick off with an evening auction which includes outstanding food served by leading area restaurants. Besides the surf content, Saturday features nerf surf jousting, live music, and beach vendors.
Switchfoot Bro-Am
Encinitas Parks and Recreation
Beach Kids Program
Designed for children ages 6-8, the Beach Kids program at Moonlight Beach emphasize learning and fun. The program teaches beach safety and awareness, marine life awareness, water etiquette, basic first aid, teamwork, and an introduction to body boarding.
Online registration begins April 19, 2021. The program is open to both residents and non-residents. A modified beach program will be offered for 2021.
Beach Kids
Encinitas Parks and Recreation
Spring and Summer Beach Camps for Children
Spring Surf Camps and Clinics
After School Surfing, Weekend Clinics and Little Groms Surf Camps are offered at various times in April and May at Moonlight Beach.
Beach Volleyball Camp at Moonlight Beach
Campers receive instruction based on their skill levels. The camp covers fundamentals, teaches specialized drills, and offers supervised games. Open to both Encinitas residents and non-residents, 7 - 14. Five, week-long camps run from June through July. Daily activities take place from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
Encinitas Parks and Recreation Activities
Moonlight Beach Volleyball
Super Moverz Beach Camp
Join in a fun-packed week of beach sports from soccer to boogie boarding and much more. Ages 5-7. Four-day-long camps (Monday - Thursday) at Grandview Beach. Daily activities take place from 9 AM to 1 PM.
Encinitas Parks and Recreation Super Moverz Beach Camp
Team Challengerz Beach Camp
Join in a fun-packed week of beach sports from soccer to boogie boarding and much more. Ages 8-12. Five-day-long camps at Grandview Beach. Daily activities take place from 9 AM to 1 PM.
Encinitas Parks and Recreation Team Challengerz Beach Camp
Encinitas Junior Lifeguards - 2021
The Encinitas Junior Lifeguard Program at Moonlight Beach develops ocean and beach safety, lifesaving skills, and physical fitness. Participants enjoy beach games, surfing, swimming, body boarding, body surfing, snorkeling and competitions. Registration opens in February.
Encinitas Junior Lifeguards is open to individuals ages 9 to 17. First-time participants must complete a swim test, offered on dates in June and July at the Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito in Solana Beach. The Junior Lifeguard Program usually has four 2-week-long sessions. They meet Monday through Friday with both morning or afternoon sessions available. Morning programs run from 9:00 AM to Noon, afternoon programs run from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. (No JGs on July 4) Program dates and times may be different in 2021. Check the website for updates.
Encinitas Junior Lifeguard Program
Ocean Safety
California State Parks and Recreation cautions that "large surf, cold water temperatures, backwash, sudden drop-offs, pounding shorebreak, and dangerous rip currents can turn what seem like safe activities such as playing near the surf line, wading, or climbing on rock outcroppings, deadly." Learn more about ocean safety at CA State Parks: Ocean Safety