Welcome to Encinitas
A timeless beach city with a sophisticated mix of lifestyles
Historic Encinitas stretches along six miles of rugged seashore in southern California’s North San Diego County. It is about 95 miles south of Los Angeles and 25 miles north of downtown San Diego. Famous for its pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and laid-back living, the area attracts visitors and residents from all over. Beautiful scenery, warm weather, and ease of getting around make it a year-round haven. Further inland from the coast of Old Encinitas, suburban developments and rural ranches add to the rich blend of incorporated communities.
Homes throughout Encinitas, from beach bungalows and ranches to ultra-luxury mansions, provide spectacular vantage points for oceanside, hillside, and mountain views. Throughout each community, you will find mature city landscapes and impressive parks completing this town’s classic aesthetic appeal. On the coast north of Old Encinitas, the community of Leucadia is known for its breathtaking oceanfront homes on the bluffs and tree-lined streets with seaside shops, bars, and galleries. East from the coast into New Encinitas, you will find a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and newer developments integrated with greenbelts, golf courses, and the convenience of big shopping centers. More secluded properties, and many horse ranches, lie at the easternmost part of Encinitas in mountainous Olivenhain.
What to Love
- A sunny and balmy Mediterranean climate
- Beach culture attracts top surfers from all over the world
- A refined sense of fun and upscale living
- Variety of architecture, from ranches to townhomes
Local Lifestyle
People are passionate about the paradise-like environment and laid-back lifestyle of Encinitas. They relish the relaxed sense of community, cutting-edge fun, and family living. During the day, you will see people buzzing around town on electric bikes. Those in Old Encinitas and Leucadia along the coast enjoy the walkability of the locale, along with the vibrant nightlife. For travel outside the city, commuter trains stop for boarding in Oceanside and downtown San Diego. Encinitas is brimming with arts and culture organizations, galleries, and museums. Check the
Cultural Arts Directory for sources and events. The city also cultivates industry with large companies in aerospace, biotech, and computer sciences. For more on local lifestyles, events, and information check the
Encinitas Advocate or
City of Encinitas resource.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
The seaside Pacific Coast Grill is renowned for its quality cuisine. They have an oyster bar, seafood, sushi, and steaks, including a gluten-free menu. Stay for dinner and wine or stop in for a sandwich at lunch.
Fish Shop boasts having the freshest fish and serves mouthwatering hand-cut fries and onion rings in a casual atmosphere. The long lines at Encinitas’s Taco Stand mean it’s worth the wait. For one of the best tasting rooms in town, head to
Culture Brewing where you can watch brewers at work while sipping a draft beer, or a gluten-reduced blend, on the patio.
Shop specialty storefronts or relax at sidewalk cafes in the
Downtown Main Street Shopping District of Old Encinitas. The old-world street hosts events year-round, including Taste of Encinitas, April Street Fair, the Encinitas Fall Festival, and the Encinitas Cruise Nights with classic and vintage cars. Nearby, modern shopping venues combine with old Encinitas at
The Lumberyard shopping mall, between F Street and J Street.
Things to Do
Golfers enjoy the sublime views from the promontories of the
Encinitas Ranch Golf Course on the Pacific Ocean. At Encinitas Community Park you will find more ocean views along with 44-acres of trails, streams, and gardens. There is also a skate park, dog park, and baseball and soccer fields. For refined themed gardens and trails, look to the
San Diego Botanical Gardens. It has over 37-acres and more than 5,000 species of plants, including a rainforest and one of the largest displays of bamboo forests in the world.
Of course, hitting the beaches is quintessentially Encinitas. Moonlight State Beach is perfect for families and just a few blocks from downtown Encinitas. The beach has volleyball, play parks, picnic tables with fire pits, and grass areas, along with lifeguards and facilities. Just one block south is the quieter D Street Beach which often has shallow waves to wade through. At Swami’s Beach, surfers from all over the world descend for the long waves that roll. When the tide is low, you can find all kinds of sea creatures.
Schools
The
Encinitas Union School District oversees nine elementary schools all recognized for innovation and awards in excellence, including an off-campus program through Farm Lab’s DREAMS. There are numerous community colleges within a hundred-mile radius.
