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GhostFingers · San Diego County · Encinitas / Cardiff

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.

Encinitas / Cardiff Beginner-friendly

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.

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.

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.

New to reading a forecast? Start here.

Launching winter 2026.

Six-tier verdicts for every California break, calibrated to swell, period, direction, tide, and wind.

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