Encinitas Beach

One of North County’s favorite beach communities is Encinitas Beach. Hotels at Encinitas provide easy access to Leucadia State Beach, Cardiff by the Sea or Moonlight State Beach. Once considered a rural beach community with flower farms and nurseries, Encinitas holds charms from a past era. Train buggs with enjoy hearing the Amtrak roll through town daily and the Old Highway 101 lies 4 blocks east of the beaches and parallels the coast. There are quite a few local hangouts, restaurants and surf shops.

Parking

Public parking is available at Moonlight State Beach and street parking is available throughout.

Directions:

From San Diego, head north on I-5 and exit any of the following: Birmingham Drive, Encinitas Boulevard or Santa Fe Drive and go west.

Tips

This beach is particularly nice for less tourism traffic. The community is mainly residential and has many shops, galleries and restaurants.

Nearby Attractions:

Swami – A local beach located at the south end of Encinitas offers stunning views of the ocean and sandstone cliffs and is perfect for taking pictures. Cyclists enjoy starting their rides in Encinitas, heading either north or south on Coast Route 101.

San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy – One of the few remaining coastal wetlands of San Diego County with approximately 1,000 acres of diverse habitat to admire over seven miles of trails via eight trailheads to encounter a wide variety of flora and fauna.