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Old 07-15-2009, 05:19 PM
 
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I will be taking a drive to socal Labor day weekend to visit a friend in LA, but I am planning to move to SD (north county) and most likely we'll end up doing a beach day.

I will be heading out that friday, so if I leave Tucson at 5 a.m. and arrive around 11 a.m., will I be able to find parking and enough space on the beach? Or does it depend which beach? Also which beaches would be better as far as parking, recreation, crowdedness at that time of day on a Friday of Labor day weekend?

the only beaches I've been to in SD were Mission beach and I find it pretty disgusting so I'd rather go up to the northern beaches.
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Old 07-15-2009, 06:32 PM
 
Location: Encinitas
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Originally Posted by mir86 View Post
I will be taking a drive to socal Labor day weekend to visit a friend in LA, but I am planning to move to SD (north county) and most likely we'll end up doing a beach day.

I will be heading out that friday, so if I leave Tucson at 5 a.m. and arrive around 11 a.m., will I be able to find parking and enough space on the beach? Or does it depend which beach? Also which beaches would be better as far as parking, recreation, crowdedness at that time of day on a Friday of Labor day weekend?

the only beaches I've been to in SD were Mission beach and I find it pretty disgusting so I'd rather go up to the northern beaches.
Well, Friday of Labor Day weekend is a pretty crowded time to hit the beach, but it won't be as bad as the rest of the holiday. Which beach I recommend depends on what you mean by a "beach day." Do you mean laying out and reading a book? Or playing volleyball? Or surfing? Or poking around tidepools? Long walk on the beach? Food nearby? Bustling and lots of people or isolated with just you and your blanket? Give me some more ideas and I'm sure I can point you in the right direction. I'm a North County native who's been on a beach or two in my life.
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Old 07-15-2009, 08:55 PM
 
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Originally Posted by Encinitan View Post
Well, Friday of Labor Day weekend is a pretty crowded time to hit the beach, but it won't be as bad as the rest of the holiday. Which beach I recommend depends on what you mean by a "beach day." Do you mean laying out and reading a book? Or playing volleyball? Or surfing? Or poking around tidepools? Long walk on the beach? Food nearby? Bustling and lots of people or isolated with just you and your blanket? Give me some more ideas and I'm sure I can point you in the right direction. I'm a North County native who's been on a beach or two in my life.
My friends and I like to lay out, play in the water, play volleyball, maybe get some lunch there. I haven't had a beach day in a couple years! haha. I guess a recreational beach is what I'm looking for, but one that isn't overly crowded and dirty . Mission beach was exactly that: too crowded and even dirtier, blech!
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Old 07-15-2009, 09:27 PM
 
Location: Encinitas
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Originally Posted by mir86 View Post
My friends and I like to lay out, play in the water, play volleyball, maybe get some lunch there. I haven't had a beach day in a couple years! haha. I guess a recreational beach is what I'm looking for, but one that isn't overly crowded and dirty . Mission beach was exactly that: too crowded and even dirtier, blech!
Ok, I gotcha. There are at least a few options.
1) Del Mar, especially the area by Powerhouse Park at the foot of 15th street. Pro: Great, wide, clean beach with room to spread out, throw a frisbee, and lots of restaurants close by. Con: Parking can be, well, interesting. But there is a pay lot right there if you want convenience.
2) Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. Pro: Volleyball courts, great snack stand. Lots of free street parking nearby.
3) San Elijo State Beach in Cardiff (Encinitas). More private, not as many amenities as the first two. Pretty mellow. It's a state beach and campground, so lots of people from Arizona etc on vacation. Best part is eating at Bull Taco, the taco stand there. Con: parking is limited, but it can be done.

None of these beaches are like Mission Beach. They are way more laid back and not as crowded.

Of course, you could just hit Highway 101 on the coast in Del Mar and drive up through Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and see what suits you. Have a fun trip.
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Old 07-15-2009, 09:53 PM
 
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thank you! that helps a lot! all those options sound nice! we have to park 2 cars since my friends will have to drive down from LA to meet up with me, but thats if we go to the beach when I get there..I'm worried labor day itself will be impossible.
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Old 07-15-2009, 09:58 PM
f_m
 
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Originally Posted by mir86 View Post
thank you! that helps a lot! all those options sound nice! we have to park 2 cars since my friends will have to drive down from LA to meet up with me, but thats if we go to the beach when I get there..I'm worried labor day itself will be impossible.
You might be able to find a "park and ride" lot nearby, maybe near the train stations, then you could take 1 car, since it would be easier to park.
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Old 07-15-2009, 10:03 PM
 
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good idea! thank you!
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Old 07-15-2009, 10:06 PM
 
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North County beaches all have very limited parking compared to the city beaches. The state beaches have entrance fees and if you can get there early enough, usually have some spots. They are Torrey Pines, Cardiff, and Carlsbad. Moonlight beach also has a decent-size lot. Just be aware, Labor day weekend is a nuthouse on the San Diego beaches.
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Old 07-15-2009, 10:20 PM
 
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Originally Posted by Sassberto View Post
North County beaches all have very limited parking compared to the city beaches. The state beaches have entrance fees and if you can get there early enough, usually have some spots. They are Torrey Pines, Cardiff, and Carlsbad. Moonlight beach also has a decent-size lot. Just be aware, Labor day weekend is a nuthouse on the San Diego beaches.
How early do I have to arrive? I probably won't be able to get there before 11 a.m. unless I leave at 4 a.m. from Tucson.

I figured Labor day would be a little bit nuts, but its the only time that works for me for a mini vacation and I wanted to check out the area anyways since I'm looking to move there. I know the city of SD very well and its not a place I'd want to live, but have only ever driven through north county and stopped somewhere (that I don't remember) but thought it would be better for me to live in. I just need to check it out (and have some fun in the process) the way me and my old roommate checked out LA before we moved there. It made for a much more confident move .

anyways, what are the entrance fees? never heard of that for a beach! I think I vaguely remember that Daytona beach, FL charges $5, which I thought was weird.
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Old 07-15-2009, 10:26 PM
 
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Originally Posted by mir86 View Post
How early do I have to arrive? I probably won't be able to get there before 11 a.m. unless I leave at 4 a.m. from Tucson.

anyways, what are the entrance fees? never heard of that for a beach! I think I vaguely remember that Daytona beach, FL charges $5, which I thought was weird.
They are really parking fees... I think 4 bucks or so. 11am on friday you might be able to find something. But on saturday... get there early!
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