Encinitas

Famous for its pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and laid-back living.

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.
 

Overview for Encinitas, CA

80,606 people live in Encinitas, where the median age is 44.3 and the average individual income is $67,609.41. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

80,606

Total Population

44.3 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$67,609.41

Average individual Income

Around Encinitas, CA

There's plenty to do around Encinitas, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

84
Very Walkable
Walking Score
45
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Yelp Kicks Butt: Day Eleven @ San Diego Premier Training, Ho'ola Mana Reiki and Wellness, and My Billion Dollar Body.

Name Category Distance Reviews
Ratings by Yelp
Active 4.74 miles 8 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 1.39 miles 8 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 1.02 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 1.02 miles 9 reviews 5/5 stars
Nightlife 1.02 miles 12 reviews 5/5 stars
Beauty 2.41 miles 38 reviews 5/5 stars

Schools in Encinitas, CA

All ()
Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby Encinitas. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating
PUBLIC
7th - 8th
5/5
Village Gate Children's Academy
PRIVATE
K - 8th
No rating available
Montessori Childrens House
PRIVATE
PreK - K
No rating available
Ada W. Harris Elementary
PUBLIC
3rd - 6th
4/5
Paul Ecke-Central Elementary
PUBLIC
K - 6th
4/5
Flora Vista Elementary
PUBLIC
K - 6th
4/5
PUBLIC
7th - 8th
5/5
PUBLIC
K - 8th
5/5
San Dieguito High School Academy
PUBLIC
9th - 12th
5/5
Rancho Encinitas Academy
PRIVATE
2nd - 8th
No rating available
PRIVATE
PreK - K
No rating available
Ocean Knoll Elementary
PUBLIC
K - 6th
4/5
Sunset High (Continuation)
PUBLIC
9th - 12th
2/5
PRIVATE
3rd - 8th
No rating available
PRIVATE
K - 12th
No rating available
PUBLIC
K - 12th
3/5
PUBLIC
K - 2nd
No rating available
PUBLIC
K - 6th
4/5
Park Dale Lane Elementary
PUBLIC
K - 6th
4/5

Demographics and Employment Data for Encinitas, CA

Encinitas has 29,950 households, with an average household size of 3. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Encinitas do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 80,606 people call Encinitas home. The population density is 2,019.38 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

80,606

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

44.3

Median Age

49.15 / 50.85%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

  • Less Than 9th Grade
  • High School Degree
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Graduate Degree
29,950

Total Households

3

Average Household Size

$67,609.41

Average individual Income

Marital Status

Married
Single
Divorced
Separated

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes
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