Overall Score: 5.1/10
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Summary
Overall, Swami's Beach gets a rating of 5.1/10. The beach is located in Encinitas, within a 10-minute walk of the shops and restaurants off of Pacific Coast Highway. There are limited amenities and activities at Swami's, but the beauty and serenity of this beach certainly make up for it. This beach is great for singles, people seeking solitude away from crowds, surfers, or those looking for different feeling and vibe from other San Diego beaches. Due to the coastal cliffs and the size of the beach, it's harder to access and is ranked average or lower in multiple categories. However, it's a a spectacular area with beautiful views and worth the visit.
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Notable Mention
Please note that Swami's Beach has multiple elements that make it quite different from the other popular beaches in San Diego. Overall, Swami's Beach is nice for a stroll at low tide or for taking in the beautiful ocean views from above.
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Scale
1 - Worst Case Scenario
10 - Best Case Scenario
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Continue reading below for an in-depth analysis of Coronado Beach and an understanding of each score. If you have any questions or think something should be added, feel free to comment below or send us a message via chat!
Parking
Parking at Swami's Beach can be extremely difficult on weekends, summer months, and other peak times. The parking lot with direct beach access is quite small and often fills up fast, especially if there are a lot of people surfing the break.
However, there are a few street parking options outside the parking lot, such as on Pacific Coast Highway, or some of the residential streets nearby such as W K St.
Additionally, there is a decent amount of parking East of Pacific Coast Highway at Swami's Lookout which is about a 5 minute or quarter of a mile walk to the beach from there. There is a pedestrian crosswalk that makes it easy to cross Pacific Coast Highway from there.
Although, parking can be challenging or overly crowded at times, there are still a considerable amount of options available for parking, especially if you're willing to walk a little further. Also, during non-peak times, such as week days and fall, winter, and spring months, parking is much easier to come by.
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Rating = 4/10 - There are close and free parking options, but during peak times can be congested and difficult if you don't know where to go.
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Crowds
Swami's Beach itself doesn't tend to ever have massive amounts of people on it. There are often more people surfing in the water, than people actually sitting on the beach. A lot of this is due to the fact that you can't really sit on the beach during high tide because the water comes up to the cliffs leaving little or no beach available.
During low tides, the beach feels a lot bigger and that's when you're more likely to find more people on the beach. Also, during low tides, you can walk around the point and walk to the other nearby beaches, making for nice views of the San Diego coastline.
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Rating = 5/10 - Since there can be little beach room with rising or high tides, the beach can definitely feel crowded when there's not a lot of people on it, so we're giving it an average rating for crowds.
Amenities
Swami's Beach has showers, and bathrooms, as well as picnic tables and benches available by the parking lot and beach access at the top of the cliffs.
It is also within about 5-10 minute walk to the main strip in Encinitas with all the shops, restaurants, cafes, and rental shops on Pacific Coast Highway.
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Despite being just a 5-10 minute walk away, th still feels removed from the actual beach itself, as there are no rentals, or food options directly off the beach at any point,
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Rating = 5/10 - With the limited amenities directly on the beach or beach adjacent, we're giving it an average rating.
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Safety
The beach is considered relatively safe, however, as with any natural environment, there are inherent risks, and visitors should exercise caution, especially in highly trafficked areas like the beach and ocean, and a lot of people coming and going from the area.
Additionally, there is not as strong of a lifeguard presence as other beaches throughout the San Diego area. There are also a lot of rocks and a reef in the water here, so that should be taken into account when entering the water.
Also, the cliffs can have rockslides, so be careful, keep a distance, and watch out for those types of natural events occurring.
Lastly, there are steep stairs to get down to the beach and back up to the parking lot, so if stairs are difficult or you're not in condition to climb steep steps, then proceed with caution when doing so and be sure to use the railings or avoid going down onto the actual beach
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***Please note that the ocean is unpredictable and there can be strong currents anywhere on the beach at any time. Be sure to take necessary precautions before getting in the water and always ask a lifeguard if it is safe if you are unsure.
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Rating = 5/10 - This beach is typically safe, but there might be more natural elements to take into consideration, less patrolling of the area, and it is more remote than some other beaches, which increases risks of natural elements and dangers.
Beach Cleanliness
The beach is relatively clean and there doesn't typically appear to be much litter or trash in this area. Additionally, the beach might feel smaller in certain areas during high tide due to the water going up closer to the cliffs, so at times there isn't much "beach" area available for it to be clean one way or another.
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Rating = 7/10 - The beach is generally clean, but can feel smaller in certain areas during high tide.
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Water Quality
The Water Quality at Swami's Beach is generally the same throughout. It is generally safe to swim in the water, meaning the levels of bacteria in the water do not exceed the recommended amount. The water is tested by the City of San Diego every six days and posted on this website: County of San Diego Beach Water Quality (sdbeachinfo.com). It never hurts to check the status before going to the beach to make sure it's safe.
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It is important to note that after rain, it is recommended to wait at least 72 hours before getting back in the water due to increased contaminants and sewage going in the ocean.
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Rating = 7/10 - Typically clean, unless there is a storm. Be sure to avoid areas by river mouths and such in those cases.
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Activities
The only activities really available to do at Swami's Beach are surfing, swimming, or stand up paddle boarding if you choose.
At times, the beach might not be big enough for other beach games, and the beach can also only be walkable when it isn't super high tide, making the options slightly limited, especially in comparison to other beaches in the San Diego area.
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Rating = 7/10 - There are still activities to be enjoyed, but the options are limited compared to other beaches in San Diego, making it less than average.
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Swami's Beach
Sleep, Eat, Play, & Relax In the Water, On The Water, or Near the Water!
This site only includes information and experiences relating to everything in, on, or near the water. When in San Diego, why not experience the beach and beautiful waterfront as much as possible!? From dining experiences to accommodation options, we have everything you need to start planning your waterfront vacation in Encinitas.
Check out the best beachfront accommodation and ocean views in Encinitas!
See all the waterfront dining options available to you and pick where in Encinitas you want to eat, grab drinks, and see the blue water!
Look at all the activities available in Encinitas and enjoy the ocean by trying something new or doing your favorite activity!
Accommodation
Swami's Beach
Between both vacation rentals and hotels, Encinitas has quite a few options to stay in on the water! See below for the different waterfront options available when staying in Encinitas.
Disclosure: This section features several affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you purchase through these links. However, not all links posted are affiliate links. Click here to learn more.
Vacation Rentals
Staying in vacation rentals from sites like VRBO, Airbnb, Homestay, etc. can be a more costly option in Encinitas, but might be best if you are travelling in a large group and there is no budget for your stay. There are rentals in Encinitas with spectacular views of the water, but at times it might be hard to find them for a reasonable price.
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Hotels
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Alilia Marea Beach Resort Encinitas - This hotel offers stunning ocean views with an infinity pool that blends into the Pacific, a serene spa, and a farm-to-table restaurant with a terrace overlooking the ocean. With direct beach access to South Ponto Beach and a variety of water sports, this resort is a great seaside escape.
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The Enicitian Hotel & Suites - This hotel has private balconies with ocean views and guests can relax by the heated outdoor pool, enjoy a complimentary breakfast, or take advantage of the short walk to Moonlight State Beach. With its prime location, it’s the perfect base for exploring Encinitas.​
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There are other hotels located in or near Encinitas that don't provide views of the ocean or beach. Check out Expedia or Hotels.com to see what else might be available.
Waterfront Dining
Swami's Beach
Encinitas has a nice amount of waterfront dining options to choose from overlooking the ocean. See below for a list of restaurants, cafes, and more right on the water.
Disclosure: This section features several affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you purchase through these links. However, not all links posted are affiliate links. Click here to learn more.
Oceanfront Dining
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Pacific Coast Grill - Enjoy fresh seafood and California cuisine with panoramic ocean views from the outdoor patio on the beach. Open for lunch and dinner.
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Chart House - This beachfront and upscale restaurant features stunning views and a menu of fresh seafood and steaks. Open for lunch and dinner.
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VAGA Restaurant and Bar - Alila Marea Beach Resort in Encinitas offers oceanfront dining with coastal-inspired, seasonal cuisine and stunning Pacific views. It's open for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday only.
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View from VAGA Restaurant and Bar
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​​There are several other restaurants and cafes located in Encinitas, but I only included the ones offering views of the water. There are a lot of restaurants in downtown Encinitas off of Pacific Coast Highway just a few blocks from the ocean.
Activities & Tours
Swami's Beach
Encinitas has several activities available to do on the water or with views of the water near Swami's Beach. See below for a list of activities available near the ocean.
Disclosure: This section features several affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you purchase through these links. However, not all links posted are affiliate links. Click here to learn more.
Ocean-Related Activities/Tours
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Water Sports - Surfing is popular in Encinitas, however at Swami's Beach, you'll find more intermediate to advanced level of surfers. Check out private and group surf lessons at other nearby beaches, so you don't have to brave the water alone if interested in catching some waves!
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E-Bike Tours - Enjoy either a guided e-bike tour or a self-guided e-bike tour along the coast in North County San Diego, taking in the beautiful views along the way.
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Professional Beachfront Picnics - Want to have a romantic lunch or dinner? How about a group picnic with friends at sunset where everything is taken care of for you? Enjoy a luxurious picnic on the beach from one of the many companies offering this service.
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Don't forget you can always enjoy beach games like spike ball, and more when at the beach!
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Transportation
Swami's Beach
The best way to get around Encinitas is by car, foot, or bike. See below for more information.
Disclosure: This section features several affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you purchase through these links. However, not all links posted are affiliate links. Click here to learn more.
The best way to get around depends on what you plan to do, where you're staying, and the time of year. During busy times such as 4th of July, there is limited parking so using your car is probably the worst way to get around, especially at peak times.
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If you are flying into the San Diego airport, I recommend renting a car so that you can explore other areas too. There are many rental car companies to choose from at the airport.
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Walking or biking between your vacation rental or hotel to the beach and to restaurants is a great option if you can handle it.
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Overall, I believe it's best to have a car, as that gives you freedom to explore other areas without having to worry about public transport or lyfts/ubers. As long as you keep in mind where you are going and the parking situation, you should be fine. If exploring other areas nearby such as La Jolla, downtown, etc., you might have to pay to park if it is crowded.
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