Sandy beach
Yes
Hike-in Required
No
Surfing
Yes
Snorkeling / SCUBA
No
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Named after Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Swami’s is a world-renounced surf spot. Swami was the founder of the Self-Realization Fellowship, which maintains a temple overlooking this reef point. The beach extends south to San Elijo State Beach, but Swami’s usually refers to the point break nearest the cliff-top park. Access to the beach is through this small park that offers plumbed restrooms, potable water, benches with ocean views, picnic tables, bicycle racks, and a small off-street parking lot. Access to the beach is via a long set of stairs.

Because of its fame and great winter swells, Swami’s can be quite crowded when conditions are good. The off-season is considerably less crowded (on some days you may only encounter a handful of surfers), but the beach is still worth a stop.

Swami’s falls within the Swami’s State Marine Conservation Area, a 12.65-square-mile area that is rich with kelp forest, surf grass, California spiny lobsters, halibut, and other marine species.

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Legendary surf spot.

Cons

Crowds. Limited parking.

Features

Picnic tables
Surfing
Wildlife
Wildlife

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

04/15/2016
Tax day sunset! I just wish the sunset took a little longer to complete. We were lucky enough to get parking in the lot. Tide was rolling in, as were the surfers. In case you do some beachcombing, there are showers to rinse off at the bottom of the staircase.
12/01/2015
A few photos of Swami's from early December.
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