The Locals’ Guide to Visiting Encinitas, CA
Encinitas is practically shorthand for iconic beaches. Swami’s, Moonlight, and Stonesteps all offer postcard-worthy views and the kind of waves that launch surf careers. But it’s not all saltwater and sand up here. This laidback coastal city was formerly the global capital of poinsettias, thanks to Ecke Ranch, which bloomed from the 1920s through the 2010s and once put the area in competition with Holland for “Flower Capital of the World.”
Stretching from sleepy Leucadia to surfy Cardiff and inland to the rural charm of Olivenhain, Encinitas is anchored by its walkable downtown along historic Highway 101, a family-friendly area studded with funky shops; taco joints; and Instagramable, bluff-perched cafés.
And while the city has seen tons of recent new additions, its history runs deep. The Santa Fe Railroad pulled in back in 1881, and Pannikin Coffee still serves its goods inside the old Victorian train depot. La Paloma Theatre has been screening films and hosting legends since 1928. And the white-domed towers of the Self-Realization Fellowship have crowned the coast since 1920, a beacon for both yogis and surfers alike.
Hansen Surfboards owner Josh Hansen.
Don Hansen opened his namesake shop in 1961; today, his son Josh keeps the stoke alive at Hansen Surfboards. The new wave of ocean-lovers brings a green mindset, blending surf culture with sustainability, wellness, and creativity. Artists, musicians, and makers thrive here, with local galleries, public murals, and arts festivals adding color to the already quietly vibrant streetscape.
Uphill from the beach, the seeds of Encinitas flowery days still flourish. The San Diego Botanic Garden, Coastal Roots Farm, and Fox Point Farms keep things blooming, alongside nurseries that specialize in everything from cymbidiums to drought-friendly succulents.
It’s this eclectic—surfboards and sun hats, yoga and espresso, public art and farmers markets—that gives Encinitas its beloved quirkiness.
Things to Do in to Do in Encintas
A day in Encinitas for Josh Hansen starts with surfing—“always [at] Swami’s,” he says. If he goes out for breakfast, it’s at Swami’s Cafe, where he reliably orders the chilaquiles. Goodonya Organic Eatery is another go-to, a few minutes’ walk from his surf spot, for the bone broth and fried egg plate. For cozy, beach-cottage-y local comfort food, he goes to Besta Wan Pizza House in Cardiff—since 1965, it’s served North County dwellers a classic menu of salads, pizzas, and beers on tap. Get the Besta Wan special: ground beef, pepperoni, sausage, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and (stay with us here) anchovies.
When Hansen’s daughter is in town, they head to Birdseye Kitchen for fresh organic Thai, Lao, and Vietnamese. Then, it’s time for a Tito’s and soda at Union Kitchen & Tap across from Hansen Surfboards. Hansen appreciates the laidback vibe and local ownership at all these stops.
As one of the boosters of the Visit Encinitas initiative, Hansen knows one of the best things about Encinitas is its walkability. You can get errands checked off the list with a scenic stroll between Encinitas Ranch Town Center and the Carlsbad Forum Shops, or enjoy million-dollar coastal views on the Swami’s Pedestrian Under-passageway route.
Hansen also loves that Encinitas has activities for a range of age groups. Moonlight Beach hosts free Sunday afternoon concerts in July and August—BYO chairs, blankets, and snacks. There are oodles of summer camps and year-round rec classes at Pacific View Arts Center and Encinitas Community Center, as well as a children’s area at San Diego Botanical Garden and ride-along farm tours and animal encounters at Fox Point Farms. “It’s a family-oriented surf town. That mix of community and beach lifestyle is what makes it so special,” Hansen says.
Facts About Encinitas
- Encinitas is home to San Diego County’s largest single-day coastal clean-up, which has been running annually for 40 years.
- The Self-Realization Fellowship is one of the earliest foundations of yoga practice in California.
- According to Zillow, the median home price in Encinitas is $1.8 million.
- Skateboard pro Tony Hawk, who cut his teeth (and probably knees and elbows) in Carlsbad, now lives in Encinitas
- The oldest building in Encinitas is a one-room schoolhouse erected in 1883.
Fox Point Farms is a mixed- use community of homes, restaurants, and agriculture.
What’s Next for Encinitas
Similar to much of San Diego County, Encinitas faces mounting pressure to build more housing. But, like many affluent enclaves in California, it’s putting up a fight. Even as cranes and construction crews shape three new developments along Quail Gardens Drive, resistance is brewing. Newly elected mayor Bruce Ehlers is spearheading a statewide ballot initiative aimed at challenging California’s housing mandates. Will this move stall the momentum, or just add more fuel to the fire? The battle between growth and preservation is playing out in real time, and Encinitas is right at the heart of it.
Nevertheless, restaurant openings are definitely not slowing down: Ernie’s Craft Deli & Wine Bar is coming to Encinitas Marketplace; Claudette Zepeda just launched Leu Leu in Leucadia; Tony Hawk and chef Andrew Bachelier recently unveiled Chick & Hawk; and pro surfer Benji Weatherly is bringing a bit of his Hawaiian home to Breakers Cafe Bar & Grill on Santa Fe Drive. The Dumpling Bar opened in late 2024 in Encinitas Village. Craft Coast Brewery & Taco Stand is planning a location on Highway 101 at West D Street.
“Over the past 10 years, there’s been a noticeable increase in bars, restaurants, and new shops,” Hansen says. “The vibe’s still good, but there’s definitely more happening around town.”
The former site of Cap’n Keno’s, an Encinitas landmark that closed in 2024 after more than 50 years on Coast Highway, is under development with the working title “Moonlight Mixed-Use Property.” Purportedly, the plans include a tribute to the beloved institution (maybe a new bar with an old name?), along with condos, storefronts, and affordable housing.
Where to Eat in Encinitas
Where to Shop in Encinitas
More Things to Do in Encinitas
San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve
The post The Locals’ Guide to Visiting Encinitas, CA appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
Categories
Recent Posts
