 Heading to the Beach? • Information on Carlsbad • Carlsbad restaurants • Four-day tide report • Forecast | UV index | |
 | |
Ponto, State Campground, Teramar
LOCATION:
Along Carlsbad Boulevard (Highway 101) between La Costa Avenue and Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad [Map it]
HOURS:
7 a.m. to sunset year-round
PARKING:
$2 for the lots at Ponto and campground; free street parking along Highway 101
PHONE:
760/438-2675 (lifeguards); 760/438-3143 (campground); 800/444-7245 (reservations)
|
| Beach Information |
Special Comments:
Ponto, near the inlet to Batiquitos Lagoon, is a favorite with local surfers and features easy access to a large white-sand beach. Two rock jetties protect the inlet to the lagoon and there is a state lifeguard headquarters at the north end of the beach.
South Carlsbad State Campground, near the foot of Poinsettia Lane, has a long stairway access to a cobblestone beach with some sand. The campground is large, with the campsites along the bluff tops. More on the camping facilities.
This is a popular campground but not the most scenic camping in the county. If you're looking for more aesthetically pleasing beach camping, try San Elijo State Beach in Cardiff.
Teramar, just north of the terminus of Palomar Airport Road, has no facilities but the south end of the beach has recently undergone sand replenishment and is a wonderful beach on which to take a long walk. The north end of Teramar can only be reached from a private access at Cannon Road.
Food/dining:
There are several good restaurants a mile south of Ponto in Leucadia. Nearest to the campground at Pointsettia Lane and I-5 there is a large plaza with a supermarket and a few restaurants. Finally, there are several restaurants and shopping outlets near Teramar at Palomar Airport Road and I-5.
Restrooms:
Ponto has public restrooms and showers; the state campground has restrooms, showers, RV hookups, a holding tank dump and overnight camping; Teramar has no facilities.