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Carlsbad State Beach

Part of North County Coast, our guide to the North County coast from Del Mar to Oceanside.

Carlsbad State Beach runs from Pine Avenue to Cannon Road along Carlsbad Boulevard, open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. with the parking lot open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Tamarack lot is closed to vehicles after erosion, as of October 23, 2026. Dogs are not allowed on Carlsbad beaches, leashed or not.Checked October 23, 2026.

6 a.m.–11 p.m.park hours
ClosedTamarack lot, to cars
No dogsleashed or not
$300dog-on-beach citation, up to
A teal lifeguard tower number 33 and a curved seawall beside the walkway on Carlsbad State Beach
Tower 33 on Carlsbad State Beach. Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
LocationCarlsbad Boulevard (Highway S21) at Tamarack, Carlsbad. Phone (760) 720-7001.
HoursPark 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; parking lot 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
ClosureState Parks says the Tamarack day-use lot is closed to vehicles after summer swell and tide erosion. Pedestrians and bicyclists may enter. No reopening date was given. Page last checked October 23, 2026, 9:39 a.m.
FacilitiesRestrooms, outdoor showers and drinking water. Day-use areas for fishing, swimming, surfing and scuba diving or snorkeling.
DogsDogs are not allowed on the beach in Carlsbad, leashed or unleashed. City police rangers can cite up to $300 for a dog on the beach and up to $600 for a dog off leash. Leashed dogs are welcome on the City’s trails and the City has three dog parks.

Who Runs The Beaches

The City of Carlsbad says most of its beaches are owned and managed by California State Parks, which provides lifeguards, restrooms, picnic areas and parking lots. The City is in charge of the three-quarter-mile stretch north of Oak Avenue to the Oceanside border. Beach weddings need a State Parks permit.

What We Could Not Verify

  • The parking fee and whether lifeguards are posted were not on the State Parks page, which lists accepted passes but no price.
  • The Tamarack closure was current when read; check State Parks for updates.

More in North County Coast

FAQ

Are dogs allowed on Carlsbad beaches?

No. The City says dogs are not allowed on the beach in Carlsbad, leashed or unleashed, and lists fines of up to $300 and $600.

Can I park at Tamarack?

Not by car right now. State Parks says the Tamarack lot is closed to vehicles after erosion, but people on foot and bicycles may enter.

Sources

  1. California State Parks: Carlsbad State Beach
  2. City of Carlsbad: Beaches

Checked October 23, 2026 by It’s San Diego. Cite this page: It’s San Diego (itssandiego.com), checked October 23, 2026. Free to quote with a link to this page; tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.