Swamis Beach Encinitas

The land that comprises Swami's State Beach park was formerly owned by the Self Realization Fellowship (SRF). Adjacent to this small but attractive cliff-side lot is what appears to be a miniature Taj Majal-esq temple, hence the name Swami's. Although the temple is not hard to miss, it is quite easy to drive past the entrance to this grand little beach as it rather small.

The grassy park section surrounds a parking lot usually reserved for the locals but not technically...they just happen to always be around when the spaces open up.

The top section is great for bike pit stops or the occasional picnic. There are bathrooms and benches if you choose to hangout on top. The best bit is of course the view. To access the beach you must walk down a long wooden stairwell and the beach itself can be short when the tide is high. So you may want to think twice before bringing all the kids and their toys.

On most mornings and evenings, you can stand on the steps and watch the surfers walk by in a steady stream. Young surfers who mount their bicycles and old surfers who hop into their cars and drive appear to own the finest boards and body suits. They take their surfing seriously and Swami's holds a reputation for providing some of the best waves on the San Diego coastline.

During low tides the tide pools come out and they are a wonderful place to explore life beneath the sea.

Here is what people say who have been there:

Review from Maria C.

Wow, I should come to Encinitas more often... I have always heard of this place, but never been.

If you're able to find parking at the lookout, then you'll be able to experience an awesome beach view.

After a long flight of stairs down to sea level, you are able to walk the strand. Came here on a week night so the foot traffic was less with walkers and runners.

Flat, packed sand, few kelp and rocks aligning the strand and you occasionally see odd rocks and sea shells. Pretty cool!

A great place to watch the sunset. Will def come back for a beach run!!!

Review from John M.

Cowabunga, dude! Swami's beach is so Southern California Cool. From the surfing dawgs, to the beautiful vistas, this beach is awesome!

Review from Courtney M.

Reserved private beach. Fun to take walks around here :)

Review from C.T. T.

Swamis often boasts as the best point break in San Diego. With that said, the crowd can swarm and on the best of days can show its true ugly localism face. Spongers and SUPs are not welcome by most here. If you have the right etiquette however, it truely is the best right breaking point this side of the US. When the crowd is more than you can handle, pipes is a short drive and boneyards is a short paddle, though they are hard press to stack up on the point's level. My only wish is that the parking lot can be bigger, often there is no parking in the best of summers, be prepared to wake up early or suffer the fait of hiking quite some distances, Judah Ben Hur.

Review from Brendon M.

things that come to mind when i think about swamis are.

fun right pointbreak

relaxation

glassy winter after noons

relaxation

joy

thats 5 right?

Review from Prakash G.

One of my favorite beach to just go explore or do the stairs, it is also one of Surfers favorite beach.

They have a nice grass patch, where lot of people come and hang out on the weekend and do slack-lining and so on. They do have a couple of BBQ Grills as well, if you want to attempt them.

Great views from the upstairs and have the basic facilities available.

Review from Amanda B.

I know my review is worthless but I had to write it anyways.

This beach is:

special.

beautiful.

swimmable.

serene.

my favorite. (:

Review from Jay D.

The actual beach is down below at sea level, so if you're stairs averse, this is not your beach, unless you don't mind walking from one Moonlight Beach a mile north, or the Campgrounds ramp, a 1/2 mile south. I use the stairs as part of my occasional run.

One of the many beautiful views found in town. The green area is also shaded virtually the entire day perfect for a picnic. Parking can be difficult in the small lot, but hey, park on 101, and walk in the beautiful sun, take in that that ocean air, and let the breeze carry your glide.

Review from Marila G.

On a gloriously warm San Diego day earlier this week, some girlfriends and I made the impromptu decision to bask in the salty sun at Swami's beach in Encinitas. Despite being a bit crowded (it was the last sunny day before school starts up again), parking was pretty easy and we found a spot to lounge almost immediaty.

Not wanting to waste anytime, we stripped to our skivvies and headed for the water. Holy cow those are giant waves. These are not your grandma's breaks- these will kick your ass, spin you around, flip you over, and kick it again.

Perfect for body surfing and/or frolicking. Ok for kids (so long as they don't disturb the adults and stay in the shallow end).

Despite the girl striking several "poses" behind us, the best part of Swamis is there was a good mix of average and beautiful people. No bro's and no girls that deserved a kick in the face. All in all, good times.

Review from Liz S.

Swami's beach is the most beautiful beach I have been to in San Diego. It is isolated from the city by a cliff and not crowded except on really nice weekend days. Many surfers (both longboarders and short borders) surf the consistent break about 100 yards off the shore.

I lived 2 blocks up the hill from Swami's for the summer of 2006 and will always mourn for that summer back. You are not supposed to bring dogs on the beach but I would run with mine often when the sun was going down and it was never a problem.

Review from Mark V.

I learned how to surf here. Back when the stairs were a death trap. It will always hold a special place for me. The surf is great, but it gets crazy crowded in the summer. A bit hard to park during the summer so you may have to park above the rail road tracks and frogger it to the beach.

Review from Joey L.

Hands down one of my favorites. Encinitas is where I wish to retire. Great beaches, always clean (do your part please). The sights from the beach or above are simply breathtaking. Post card California no doubt.

Review from Natalie A.

One of the great beaches. Got to be in shape to take the stairs up after you've gone down though. I don't know how many people realize how this area is lit up for Christmas. It is worth the drive.

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