Compared to the rest of the beaches in Leucadia on bluffs with three-story staircase entrances, Beacon’s Beach is generally more accessible for families with its switchbacks down the bluff. It’s secluded with limited parking and feels secret and surfer-local.

Atmosphere: Beacon’s Beach is a small cove located at the bottom of a high bluff. Beach-worn, rickety houses line the bluff there, and the small area of sand seems more like a pass-through on the way to the surf.

Parking and Entrance: Limited parking where Leucadia Blvd. dead-ends at Neptune Ave. Downhill dirt trail with switchbacks and some wooden stairs; not ideal for strollers but okay for carriers or new walkers.

Nice Walks and Views: A view from the blufftop.

Activities for Toddlers: Stones and seaweed on the beach. For toddlers, trail up and down is quite a workout but manageable.

Bathrooms: No facilities.

Perks for Parents: Surf (which can get crowded) and rare feeling of isolation on a Southern California beach.

Where to Stay with Kids: Surfhouse is a new cool boutique hotel in Leucadia.

Baby-friendly Restaurants: Haggo’s Organic Taco. Funky casual vibe with outdoor seating.

What Else to Do: The small town of Leucadia is off Coast Highway, and has Mexican restaurants, markets, boutiques and is close to the child-friendly SD Botanic Garden. Travel a few minutes north to South Carlsbad State Beach for LEGOLand, the Sea Life aquarium and the Museum of Making Music, or a few minutes south to Encinitas for the family-friendly Moonlight Beach.