Moonlight State Beach

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Moonlight State Beach is a popular and picturesque beach located in the state of California.


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Summary

Located in Encinitas, this beach is known for its scenic beauty, great amenities, and family-friendly atmosphere. There are several reasons why one should visit the Moonlight State Beach, including swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and picnicking.

One of the main points of interest at this beach is the Moonlight Beach Surf Club, which offers surf lessons and competitions throughout the year. Another popular attraction is the snack bar, which serves up delicious food and beverages to beachgoers. Additionally, the beach has a playground, volleyball courts, and a large grassy area where visitors can enjoy picnics and other outdoor activities.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the beach was once a popular spot for smuggling during Prohibition, and that it was once known as B Street Beach. The beach is also home to a wide range of wildlife, including sea lions, dolphins, and various species of birds.

The best time of year to visit Moonlight State Beach is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. However, the beach is open year-round and is a beautiful spot to visit any time of year. Visitors should be aware that parking can be challenging during peak season, so it's best to arrive early in the day or consider taking public transportation to the beach.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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