Encinitas

Swami's Beach in Encinitas

Encinitas is a small beach town in the north end of San Diego County in Southern California. The town has a main street that looks to be right out of a George Lucas 1950s movie scene, including a city name sign spanning the Coast Highway that welcomes visitors arriving into the north end of town from Carlsbad. Population of Encinitas is around 50,000.

Understand

Visitor info can be found at 138 Encinitas Blvd.

Get in

By car

Encinitas is located just off Interstate Highway 5. Take the Encinitas Blvd exit.

By train

The regional Coaster rail line between San Diego and Oceanside calls in Encinitas. Amtrak provides multiple daily connections from Los Angeles to nearby Oceanside and Solana Beach via its Pacific Surfliner train. 1 Encinitas station is located at 25 E D St.

By plane

The closest commercial airport is in San Diego (SAN ^IATA), and the closest general aviation airport is the McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad (CLD ^IATA). Los Angeles International Airport (LAX ^IATA) is 2-3 hours by bus or car depending on traffic.

Get around

Almost everything can be reached by foot, including the beach and most restaurants and shopping. Bikes can be rented as well. NCTD also offers buses and trains for transportation purposes.

See

• The beach. Main entrance to the seemingly endless stretch of the sandy beach is at C street. A scenic outlook and stair access can also be found at the end of D street. Swimming is allowed only in designated areas. 
• 1 San Diego Botanic Garden (formerly Quail Botanical Garden), 230 Quail Gardens Drive. 9AM–5PM daily. Specializing in tropical rainforest plants with the largest display of bamboo in the world. A great way to spend the day gazing at magnificent and exotic plants, it's also a popular wedding destination. $14 for adults; $10 for students, seniors, and active military; $8 for children under 12; free for children 2 and under.  
• 2 San Elijo Lagoon Reserve. Coastal wetlands.  
• Meditation Gardens at the Self Realization Fellowship. 

Do

• Surfing. A favorite activity in Encinitas. Swami's is one of the most famous surf spots in Southern California, which is accessed via steep stairs down the bluff from the small city park by the same name at the south end of town. Several surf shops along Coast Highway can provide gear for the visitor. 
• 1 Cardiff State Beach (south on Highway 101). Oceanfront camping with beautiful views. Surfing and swimming beaches within short walking distance. Reservations can be made in advance, but the park books up for the peak summer season very early in the year.  
• Leucadia Surf School. For those who want to try out surfing for the first time with year around 2 hour surf lessons and summer surf camps. 
• Moonlight Beach. Beautiful white sand beach at the north end of town. West end of 'B' Street. Lifeguards on duty in season. 
• YMCA Skate Park. One of the first and still one of the best skate parks in the world. Not uncommon to see greats such as Tony Hawk here. 

Buy

• Hansens Surf Shop. Clothes, swim suits, surfboards, and almost all beach needs can be purchased here located at the south end of the 101 
• Shatto and Sons T-Shirts.. Buy a 'Keep Leucadia Funky' T-shirt at this family owned shop. 
• Lou's Records. Amazing local used music store. Plenty of new/used vinyl to choose from. 
• Encinitas Photo Center. Lots of great cameras and film. 

Eat

Encinitas is a small town with a long restaurant list. Along Coast Highway 101's downtown district are a wide range of options from upscale Italian to cozy cafes and diners. Small cafes can be found in the more residential streets heading towards the beach.

• Pannikin's Coffee and Tea, 510 North Coast Highway 101. A local favorite, built inside the 1888 Santa Fe Railroad Station. Lots of places to hangout both inside and out. Very casual atmosphere. 
• Honey's Bistro & Bakery, 632 S. Coast Highway 101. Popular breakfast and lunch cafe with plenty of California and Mexican favorites. 
• Oggi's Pizza & Brewing Co., 305 Encinitas Blvd (just off Highway 5). 
• Potato Shack Cafe, 120 West I St. Popular breakfast and lunch cafe. 
• Plumeria Vegetarian Encinitas, 527 S. Coast Highway 101, ☏ +1 760-487-1488. Thai food. A good place to go if you're looking for vegan/vegetarian spring rolls or tom kha soup with tofu. 
• Sushi Bar Blue Fin, 257 N. El Camino Real (Exit ENCINITAS BLVD. just off of 5 fwy), ☏ +1 760 479-1555. Traditional Japanese flavors with contemporary Western fusion. 
• Pavlos Tacos, 165 S El Camino Real, ☏ +1 760-274-6169. Some of the best burritos in town. Local hangout. 
• VG's Donuts, 106 Aberdeen Dr (between Newcastle Ave & San Elijo Ave), ☏ +1 760 753-2400. Best donuts in town. 
• Pipes Cafe, 121 Liverpool Dr, Cardiff. Great local cafe. 
• Firenze trattoria, 162 S. Rancho Sante Fe Rd (in the West Village Center at Encinitas Blvd and Manchester/Rancho Santa Fe), ☏ +1 760 944-9000. An Italian restaurant with a Tuscan style menu, and food prepared using fresh ingredients. There is a beautiful outdoor dining area with a water fountain. The food is quite excellent and if you are planning do be sure to make reservations. 
• Juanitas Taco Shop, 290 North Coast Highway 101. A popular inexpensive Mexican food shop. Big burritos. 
• Union Kitchen and Tap, 1108 South Coast Highway 101. Just across the street from the Self-Realization Fellowship. Get there early, because it can be nearly full at noon on weekends. Try their awesome beer. 
• Raul's Mexican Food, 490 South Coast Highway 101. Another popular inexpensive Mexican food shop located across the street from La Paloma Theatre. Especially good when the old lady is cooking inside. Try their tacos. 
• Gelato 101 encinitas, 480 S Coast Highway 101. Across the street from the La Paloma Theater. Flavors may be switched occasionally. 
• Jorge's Mexicatessen, 267 N El Camino Real STE E, ☏ +1 760 942 6809. Small, inexpensive Mexican restaurant famous for their chicken soup. (updated Oct 2023)

Sleep

• The Encinitan Hotel & Suites, 85 Encinitas Blvd, ☏ +1 760 942-7455, fax: +1 760 632-9481. 
• Days Inn Encinitas-Lego Land/Moonlight, 133 Encinitas Blvd, ☏ +1 760 944-0260. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. 
• The Black Orchid Bed and Breakfast, 653 Requeza St (Westlake and Requeza St), ☏ +1 760 753-0584. Three complete suites with private balconies, fireplaces, views of the ocean, and a gourmet breakfast. $175 to $225. 

Go next

Driving North on PCH will get you into Carlsbad, and driving south will set you in Solana Beach. Inland of Carlsbad is La Costa, and inland of Solana Beach is Rancho Santa Fe.

Routes through Encinitas

Santa Ana ← Carlsbad ←	N  S	→ Solana Beach → San Diego
Los Angeles ← Carlsbad ←	N  S	→ Solana Beach → San Diego