Parks and Recreation Department Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Q. What parks and beaches does the City operate?
A. The City operates a wide range of parks and beaches for the public. Click on the links below for more information.
Beaches
Parks
Q. What are the operating hours for the City’s parks and beaches?
A. All City parks and parking lots are open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Sports parks are open the following hours:
- Cardiff Sports Park 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Ecke Sports Park 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Leo Mullen Sports Park 8:00 a.m. to sunset
All beach parking lots, vistas and adjacent beautified areas are open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
All beaches and beach accesses are closed from 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. year round.
Q. Can I reserve an area at a park or beach?
A. All park and beach facilities are available on a first come, first served basis. Special Event and Special Ceremony Permits are available for select locations. Please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (760) 633-2740 or click on the link for more information Special Event and Special Ceremony Permits.
Q. Are dogs allowed at City parks and beaches?
A. Dogs are not allowed at any beach operated by the City. Dogs are allowed, when on a leash of not more than six (6) feet, at other City parks.
The City of Encinitas offers three parks where your dog can be off-leash during specific hours and days. These parks are Encinitas Viewpoint Park on "D" Street, Orpheus Park on Orpheus Drive and Sun Vista Park (east) on Avenida La Posta. Dogs are allowed off-leash at these parks only during the following hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday 6-9:00 a.m. & 3-8:00 p.m. (Encinitas Viewpoint Park, Sun Vista Park)
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday 6-7:30 a.m. & 3-8:00 p.m., Sunday 6-9:00 a.m. & 3-8 p.m. (Orpheus Park)
Trail Segment 72, located on City property underneath the SDG&E Powerlines between Encinitas Blvd. and Mountain Vista Drive, has been designated an off-leash dog area.
In addition, your dog must be licensed and under your direct voice control, sufficient to ensure that the dog is not involved in a violation of any other laws. The dog must not bite or harass park visitors or other dogs, and it must not interfere with the public’s use of the park. Remember that it is your responsibility to clean up after your pet.
Q. Can I have alcoholic beverages at the City’s parks and beaches?
A. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed at any of the City’s beaches or beach over-looks, including their related accesses and parking lots.
In addition, alcoholic beverages are not allowed at the following parks:
- Cardiff Sports Park, including its related parking lots
- Ecke Sports Park, including its related parking lots
- Glen Park, including its related parking lot
- Encinitas Viewpoint Park
- Leucadia Roadside Park
Where permitted in City parks, beer and wine (no glass containers) are the only alcoholic beverages allowed.
Q. Does the City operate or maintain any trails?
A. The City operates over thirty miles of multi-use trails (walking, biking, equestrian). Please call the Parks and Recreation Department at (760) 633-2740 for more information about the City’s trail system, or click here to go to our recreation trails web page.
Q. Can I camp at the beach?
A. The City does not operate any campgrounds and camping on City beaches is prohibited by the municipal code. However, you can contact California State Parks regarding camping at State beaches near Encinitas. San Elijo State Beach Campground offers swimming, surfing and picnicking. The narrow, bluff-backed stretch of sand has a nearby reef popular with people that snorkel and dive. South Carlsbad State Beach features swimming, surfing, skin diving, fishing and picnicking. For more information about the California State Parks, visit their web site at http://parks.ca.gov.
Q. I noticed that there is a maintenance problem at one of the City’s parks. Whom do I call?
A. Please call the Parks and Recreation Department at (760) 633-2740 to report any maintenance problems. Click here to go to our parks and beaches maintenance web page.
Q. What are some of the classes and activities available from the Parks and Recreation Department?
A. A variety of classes and activities are offered through department and vary with the seasons. Please visit our Recreation website at www.EncinitasRecReg.com or call the department at (760) 633-2740. A program registration form may be downloaded and printed by clicking here.
Q. Are there any activities for seniors in Encinitas?
A. Yes. Please call the Senior Center at (760) 943-2250 for a complete list of senior activities. Click here to jump to our recreation website. The Parks and Recreation Department provides staff support for the Encinitas Senior Citizen Commission. Please call (760) 633-2740 for more information about this commission.
Q. Where can I get information regarding the Encinitas Ranch Golf Course?
A. The Encinitas Ranch Golf Course is owned by the City of Encinitas, and operated by JC Resorts. This beautiful facility, opened to the public in 1998, and is located on rolling hills above the Pacific Ocean. Click here to go to our web page of the Encinitas Ranch Golf Course. For tee times and other information, please call (760) 944-1936. Click on J.C. Resorts' link http://www.jcgolf.com/encinitas.htm for additional information about the course.
Q. There are dogs roaming free in my neighborhood. Whom do I call?
A. The City of Encinitas contracts with the San Diego County Department of Animal Services to provide services related to dogs, cats and other pets, including enforcement. Click here to go to our Animal Services web page for more information. To report problems related to loose dogs or to find a lost pet, please contact the San Diego County Department of Animal Services at (619) 236-4250 or their North County Shelter at (760) 438-2312. Information is also available on their website at http://www.sddac.com/.
Q. There is a dead animal in front of my house. Whom do I call?
A. Please call the Parks and Recreation Department at (760) 633-2740. The City contracts for dead animal removal on public roads and right-of-way with a private contractor. After the department receives your report, the contractor will be notified, and a crew will be dispatched to remove the animal. Removals are completed within 24 hours.
Q. We have swarms of bees in our yard. Whom do I call?
A. Bee removal is done by private contractors, and is not a service of the City. Please consult your telephone directory under "Pest Control" for removal of bees from private property.
Q. Can I take rocks and shells from the beaches?
A. All resources on beaches are protected. Please visit our beaches often, but do not take anything, including rocks or shells.
Q. Are the beach fire rings available year round?
A. Beach areas are open year round. However, facilities may be closed periodically for maintenance or repair, or due to severe weather conditions. Fire rings are available on a first come, first served basis. All beach parking lots, vistas and adjacent beautified areas are open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
All beaches and beach accesses are closed from 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. year round.