Moonlight Beach (Encinitas)

400 B St, Encinitas, CA 92024

Encinitas's main beach — a wide pocket of sand at the end of B Street with a grass picnic area on the bluff, beach volleyball, and the surf break at D Street (Boneyards) just north. The Self-Realization Fellowship's lotus-domed temple is on the cliff to the south.

Eats & Drinks 62 Shops 11 Stay 4 Rentals 2

Ideal for a beach walk.

82°F air · 73°F water

Full NWS forecast for Today

Sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Weather

  • 82°F air — ideal beach weather
  • Sunny skies — clear conditions

Water

  • 73°F water — swimmable, refreshing
  • 3.6ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
79 /100
great
74 Swim
83 Sunbathe
86 Walk
82 Photo

Best for walking today

Water level 0.8 ft above predicted

Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.

NOAA station 9410230 · Observed 3.76 ft · Predicted 2.91 ft

Air Temp
82°F
Sunny
Wind
0 to 5 mph
SW
Rain
7%
Today
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
76°F
Mostly Sunny
Water Temp
73°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
8:39 PM
6.3 ft · in 1.4h
Wave Height
3.6 ft
13s · SSW swell

Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference

No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (PZZ740)

The SGX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.

  • CAZ552 Orange County Coastal Areas n/a
  • CAZ043 San Diego County Coastal Areas n/a

NWS SRF · SGX · Issued Sep 9, 1:29 AM

Sunrise
6:28 AM
Sunset
7:04 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Time Type Height
2:45 AM Low -0.6 ft
9:06 AM High 4.9 ft
2:34 PM Low 1.3 ft
8:39 PM High 6.3 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 9410230, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

Today Sep 9
82°

Sunny

7%
79
Thu Sep 10
76°

Mostly Sunny

4%
83
Fri Sep 11
75°

Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny

0%
80
Sat Sep 12
73°

Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny

0%
82
Sun Sep 13
72°

Mostly Sunny

0%
77
Mon Sep 14
72°

Mostly Sunny

1%
81
Tue Sep 15
71°

Mostly Sunny

1%
79
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
  • optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 73°F

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Parking

Paid municipal lot at the top of B Street; free street parking on 3rd Street.

Dogs

Dogs prohibited on the beach. Leashed-dog access at Cardiff State Beach to the south.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

400 B St, Encinitas, CA 92024

lifeguardsrestroomsshowersvolleyballpicnic areaplayground
Is it safe to swim at Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) today?

Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

Is Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) dog-friendly?

Dogs prohibited on the beach. Leashed-dog access at Cardiff State Beach to the south.

Is there an entry fee at Moonlight Beach (Encinitas)?

Entry to Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) is free.

Are there lifeguards at Moonlight Beach (Encinitas)?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Moonlight Beach (Encinitas)?

Amenities at Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, volleyball, picnic area, playground.

When is the water warmest at Moonlight Beach (Encinitas)?

The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.

Where is Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) located?

Moonlight Beach (Encinitas) is in San Diego County, CA, at 400 B St, Encinitas, CA 92024.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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