From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Looking south along Moonlight State Beach

Coordinates: 33°2′51″N 117°17′51″W / 33.0475°N 117.2975°W / 33.0475; -117.2975

Moonlight State Beach is a state beach in Encinitas, California. Located at the terminus of Encinitas Boulevard, it has been called the epicenter of recreation and social life in the town.^{[1 ]} It is appropriate for both children's and adults' recreation.^[2] It is popular with both tourists and residents, and it is one of the most visited beaches in Encinitas.^{[3 ]} This sand beach is used for surfing, swimming, surf fishing, beach volleyball, and bonfires.^[4]

History

Early female settlers washed clothing in nearby Cottonwood Creek, then provided picnics for their families while the laundry dried.^{[3 ]} Land prospector J. S. Pitcher, who owned much of Encinitas, built a bathhouse, playground, boardwalk, dance hall, and several picnic areas.^{[1 ]} Between 1915 and 1925 Moonlight Beach began to attract North County residents for social outings.^{[1 ]} Popular events included horse races.^[5] At low tide one could drive a Model T down the beach to Oceanside.^{[1 ]}

Surfing

“Moonlight Beach is not a great longboard wave anymore. It's changed and it's pretty much a shortboard wave now. It really breaks hard and fast now. It wasn't like that. It was a fun beach break.” - Linda Benson, five-time women's world surfing champion. Benson learned to surf at Moonlight Beach in the late 1950s.^{[1 ]}

Water quality

Water quality has been an issue at Moonlight Beach, which earned a D grade in 2001 and 2002 from Heal the Bay, a Santa Monica based nonprofit organization that monitors water quality along the California coast.^[6] Water quality has improved in recent years, with the beach earning five As and one B from Heal the Bay from April 2005 through March 2007.

Facilities

The beach is open for use all day except between 2 and 4 am. There is a parking lot above the beach which is open from 5 am to 10 pm. No dogs, alcohol, or glass is allowed on the beach. The lifeguard towers are open 10 am to 6 pm during summer months. Provisions at the beach include handicapped access, picnic facilities, restrooms, telephone, concessions daily Easter through Thanksgiving, fire rings, playground equipment, and tennis and volleyball courts.

Notes

References

• Annual Report Cards. 17th Annual Beach Report Card for 2006 - 2007 & 16th Annual Beach Report Card for 2005 - 2006. www.healthebay.org (May 23, 2007 & May 24, 2006). Accessed April 24, 2008.
• Beaches in Encinitas. Parks and Recreation. www.ci.encinitas.ca.us. 2005. Accessed April 30, 2008.
• Hartley, Mac. Encinitas – History & Heritage. The Donning Company / Publishers, Virginia Beach VA. 1999.
• Holzclaw, Kenneth & Welch Diane. Images of America - Encinitas. Arcadia Publishing, Charleston SC. 2006.
• Irons, Destiny. www.encinitasmag.com (September 17, 2007). Moonlight Beach – The Changing Tide and Times. Accessed March 3, 2008.
• Mellin, Maribeth & Onstott, Jane. Insiders Guide – San Diego – Fifth Edition. Morris Book Publishing, LLC. 2007.
• Osborne Jr., John. The California Coast – A Traveler’s Companion – Second Edition. The Countrymen Press, Woodstock VT. 2003.

• Puterbaugh, Parke & Bisbort, Alan. California Beaches – The Best Places to Swim, Play, Eat, and Stay on the Coast – Third Edition. Avalon Travel Publishing, Emeryville CA. 2003.

External links

• http://www.surfline.com/surf-report/moonlight-beach-southern-california_4770/
• http://www.ci.encinitas.ca.us/CE/Government/CityD/ParksAndRecreation/Parks+and+Beaches/Beach+Information.htm

See also

• California State Beaches