South Carlsbad State Beach is a public beach and state park in Carlsbad, California, just south of Carlsbad State Beach. Within the state park system, it is classified as a California state beach and is valued as a coastal recreation area rather than a remote preserve. Visitors use the beach for swimming, surfing, skin diving, fishing, and picnicking. A campground above the shoreline, reached by a stairway from the beach, is especially popular during summer. South Ponto is also included within South Carlsbad State Beach.