Moonlight Beach, Public beach in Encinitas, California, US
Moonlight Beach is a public beach along California's Pacific Coast with volleyball courts, picnic tables, a grassy park area, and a children's playground near the shore. The site includes a parking lot, outdoor showers, restrooms, a concession stand, and fire rings for beach gatherings.
In the early 1900s, local women gathered at Cottonwood Creek near the beach to wash clothes while their families enjoyed picnics on the sand. The location served as a natural meeting point for daily community life during that era.
The beach hosts the annual Switchfoot Bro-Am event during summer, where surfing competitions meet live music performances supporting charitable causes. This gathering draws both athletes and music lovers who value the connection between sport and community.
The beach opens daily at 5 am and closes at 10 pm, giving visitors flexible hours to use the facilities. Those needing equipment can arrange rentals on-site, and ample parking is available for day-trippers.
From 1915 to 1925, during low tide, automobiles could drive north on the sand all the way toward Oceanside. This practice ended as coastal conditions shifted and made the sandy drive unsafe.
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