Updated
San Elijo State Beach
Beach · Cardiff, California
Not today — an official hazard warning is active
Avoid todayNot today — an official hazard warning is active: a Coastal Flood Warning is in effect for San Diego County Coastal Areas; Orange County Coastal.
- Water temp 73°F (23°C)
Live data from NOAA buoy 46274 (3.3 mi away), as of Oct 29, 9:56 AM UTC.
Why, sources & official advisories
- A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect for San Diego County Coastal Areas; Orange County Coastal. — NWS San Diego CA
- Water temperature is 73°F, within the comfortable 70–86°F range. — NOAA buoy 46274, as of Oct 29, 9:56 AM UTC
- No official beach advisory posted (California Water Boards — FHAB Reports checked).
Official advisories
Checked against California Water Boards — FHAB Reports — no advisory posted.
Get an email when it’s warm enough
It’s 73°F at San Elijo State Beach now. We check the water daily and email you once when it reaches your temperature.
2-mile stretch of sand with large campgrounds popular for swimming, surfing, snorkeling & picnics.
What’s swimming here?
Fish recorded within 2 km: Kelp Bass, California Sheephead, Blacksmith Chromis and 33 more species.
36 fish species in 846 public records within 2 km of San Elijo State Beach since 2000.
- Kelp Bass Paralabrax clathratus211 records · 2023
- California Sheephead Bodianus pulcher161 records · 2023
- Blacksmith Chromis Chromis punctipinnis75 records · 2023
- Garibaldi Damselfish Hypsypops rubicundus62 records · 2023
- Rock Wrasse Halichoeres semicinctus50 records · 2023
- Black Perch Embiotoca jacksoni47 records · 2023
- Rudderfish Girella nigricans45 records · 2023
- Señorita Wrasse Halichoeres californicus39 records · 2023
Show all 36 species
- Kelp Perch Brachyistius frenatus33 records · 2023
- Barred Sand Bass Paralabrax nebulifer28 records · 2023
- Sargo Anisotremus davidsonii19 records · 2023
- Halfmoon Medialuna californiensis15 records · 2023
- White Seaperch Phanerodon furcatus9 records · 2023
- Dwarf Perch Micrometrus minimus8 records · 2022
- Perch Kyphosus azureus6 records · 2026
- Pile Perch Phanerodon vacca6 records · 2021
- Striped Mullet Mugil cephalus4 records · 2026
- Giant Kelpfish Heterostichus rostratus3 records · 2023
- Rubberlip Seaperch Rhacochilus toxotes3 records · 2023
- Giant Sea Bass Stereolepis gigas3 records · 2023
- Woolly Sculpin Clinocottus analis2 records · 2025
- Walleye Surfperch Hyperprosopon argenteum2 records · 2023
- Rainbow Seaperch Hypsurus caryi2 records · 2012
- Mussel Blenny Hypsoblennius jenkinsi1 record · 2025
- Spotted Sand Bass Paralabrax maculatofasciatus1 record · 2023
- California Moray Gymnothorax mordax1 record · 2022
- Diamond Turbot Pleuronichthys guttulatus1 record · 2022
- Jack Mackerel Trachurus symmetricus1 record · 2022
- Pacific Footballfish Himantolophus sagamius1 record · 2021
- Painted Greenling Oxylebius pictus1 record · 2012
- Kelp Rockfish Sebastes atrovirens1 record · 2012
- Barred Surfperch Amphistichus argenteus1 record · 2011
- Arrow Goby Clevelandia ios1 record · 2009
- California Killifish Fundulus parvipinnis1 record · 2009
- Longjaw Mudsucker Gillichthys mirabilis1 record · 2009
- Barred Pipefish Syngnathus auliscus1 record · 2009
Data: GBIF.org occurrence records, CC0 and CC BY only (PISCO fish transects, iNaturalist research-grade observations, GBIF dataset). Common names: USGS NAS; GBIF.org (The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), Catalogue of Life). Non-native flags: USGS NAS. These are sightings and specimens people reported, not a survey: a fish missing from the list may still live here.
Things to Do Near San Elijo State Beach
Top-rated tours and experiences around Cardiff, powered by Viator — free cancellation on most.
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is San Elijo State Beach?
- San Elijo State Beach is a beach in Cardiff, California.
- What is the water temperature at San Elijo State Beach?
- As of October 29, 2026, the water temperature at San Elijo State Beach in Cardiff, California is 73°F (23°C), measured by NOAA buoy 46274, 3.3 miles away.
- Can you swim at San Elijo State Beach?
- Not today — an official hazard warning is active: a Coastal Flood Warning is in effect for San Diego County Coastal Areas; Orange County Coastal. Checked October 29, 2026.
- How is San Elijo State Beach rated?
- San Elijo State Beach in Cardiff, California has an average visitor rating of 4.6 out of 5, based on 1528 reviews.
- What amenities does San Elijo State Beach have?
- Visitor-listed amenities at San Elijo State Beach include camping-nearby.
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Location & Contact
🏖️ Best times & visiting tips
- ›Arrive early for best parking and beach spot selection
- ›Check for lifeguard schedules and swim only in designated areas
- ›Bring reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine life
- ›Watch for beach flags indicating water conditions
Features & amenities
Amenities
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