Moonlight Beach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Moonlight State Beach |
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View of Moonlight Beach looking north, 2011
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 Moonlight State Beach
Location in California
Moonlight State Beach
Location in the United States
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| Location | San Diego County, California |
| Nearest city | Encinitas |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Moonlight State Beach is a popular state beach in Encinitas, California. It is easy to find, just a short distance from Highway 101.
This sandy beach is a great place for everyone, from kids to adults. Many people, both locals and visitors, love coming here. You can enjoy activities like surfing, swimming, surf fishing, playing beach volleyball, and even having bonfires.
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A Glimpse into Moonlight Beach's Past
Moonlight Beach has a cool history. Long ago, early settlers used to wash clothes in nearby Cottonwood Creek. While the laundry dried, families would have picnics.
Between 1915 and 1925, Moonlight Beach became a popular spot for social gatherings. People enjoyed events like horse racing. Back then, during low tide, you could even drive a Model T car north on the beach all the way to Oceanside!
Surfing at Moonlight Beach
Moonlight Beach is a well-known spot for surfing. A famous surfer named Linda Benson learned to surf here in the 1950s. She won the women's world surfing championship five times!
Linda says the waves at Moonlight Beach have changed over time. They used to be good for longer surfboards. Now, the waves break faster and harder, making them better for shorter surfboards.
Volleyball Fun at the Beach
Since the early 1950s, beach volleyball has been a big part of Moonlight Beach. Many professional players even practice their game here.
Originally, there was only one volleyball court. Today, you can find three courts at the north end of the beach. Every October since 1964, a special Mixed Doubles Volleyball Tournament is held here. Many of the world's top beach volleyball players come to compete!
Keeping the Water Clean
In the past, there were some concerns about water quality at Moonlight Beach. This was due to bacteria from urban runoff flowing into Cottonwood Creek, which empties into the ocean here.
However, things have greatly improved! The city now treats the urban runoff with UV light. This treatment helps to kill harmful bacteria. Because of these efforts, the water quality at Moonlight Beach has become much better.
What You Can Do at Moonlight Beach
Moonlight Beach is open almost all day, except for a short time in the early morning. There is a parking lot above the beach, open from 5 AM to 10 PM.
To keep everyone safe and happy, there are a few rules:
- No dogs are allowed on the beach.
- Please do not bring alcohol or glass containers.
Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months, usually from 10 AM to 6 PM.
The beach offers many great facilities for visitors:
- It has handicapped access.
- There are picnic areas and restrooms.
- You can use outdoor showers to rinse off sand.
- A concession stand sells snacks and drinks from Easter through Thanksgiving.
- You can rent surfboards and boogie boards.
- There are fire rings for bonfires.
- Kids can enjoy the playground equipment.
- Volleyball courts are available for games.
- A tennis court is also nearby in the Cottonwood Creek nature reserve.
Exciting Annual Events
Moonlight Beach hosts several fun events each year:
Switchfoot's Bro-Am
Every midsummer, the beach comes alive with Switchfoot's "Bro-Am." This is a charity event hosted by the famous alternative rock band Switchfoot. It's a surf contest combined with a huge beach party! The event usually lasts two days, filled with music, surfing, and helping good causes. The Foreman brothers, who lead Switchfoot, learned to surf right here.
Wavecrest Woodie Meet
On the third Saturday of September, you can see "Wavecrest." This is a major gathering of "woodies." These are cool vintage cars where the back part of the body is made of wood. Woodies are a traditional part of West Coast surfing culture.
Surfing Madonna Run
In the fall, Moonlight Beach is the starting and ending point for the Surfing Madonna 5K/10K & 10 Mile Beach Run/Walk. This is another charity event that helps the community. It raises money for things like youth scholarships, free surf camps for kids with special needs, and support for wounded warriors. It also helps with equipment for marine mammal rescue. About 8,000 people take part in this event each year, running or walking on the hard-packed sand.
