Casual, colorful surf-culture community in coastal San Diego
Along North County's oceanfront, Encinitas rolls out a comfortable welcome, from its signature archway at D Street, through charming downtown areas, to well-planned inland communities. Incorporated in the late 1980s, the city is a blend of New Encinitas, Old Encinitas and special places like Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Leucadia — which are sprinkled with coffee shops, taco stands, beer gardens and bike stores. Accentuating its relaxed aura, art galleries and yoga studios feature creative mosaic signs and hip vintage cars painted shell pink or ocean blue highlight the city's coastal character.
With a slightly declining population of just over 60,000 in 2024, Encinitas is considered far less touristy than nearby Coronado Beach. But it still pulls a swarm of surfers who worship the Swami Beach swells. Brian Szymanski, owner of Ding King Surfboard Repair and Encinitas native since the 1970s, says, "This place is where some of the greatest names in the surf industry come from, and a key San Diego spot that started one of the world's greatest sports. We're lucky our shop is in the old Surfboards Hawaii glassing factory where surfboards have been built since the '60s."
It's common in Encinitas to wetsuit up and take stairways to the waves or bring workday lunch to relaxing ocean viewpoints. Residents often run errands on bikes or retreat to meditation spaces or botanical gardens, and homeowners near the coast sometimes hear the whoosh of San Diego's COASTER train. The city's Mediterranean climate offers two seasons: hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
Homes offer a seaside-suburban feel just 25 miles north of downtown San Diego. Upcoming developments like The Cove subdivision in Leucadia and La Costa Boutique Hotel, using Quonset hut architecture, continue shaping the city's appeal. And while it feels like a getaway, Encinitas is filled with new recreation facilities, plenty of retail conveniences and highly-regarded resources. Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas is the only Southern California hospital ranked in 2024 by Forbes magazine among the top 20 medium community hospitals in the nation. "People who live here are so well-connected," says Szymanski. "I went to school here, my kids went to school here, and everyone participates together in local events. You have the benefit of being on the beach while you still get that old-school, small-town vibe."
Moonlight Beach in Encinitas is a great spot to watch the sunset.
The unofficial mascot of Cardiff By The Sea is the "Cardiff Kook" often themed.
Leucadia State Beach is perfect spot catch some epic surf.
The 101 Wineco liquor store has this large mural showing the beauty of Leucadia.
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High-end Neptune Avenue and master-planned Fox Point Farms
San Diego County is one of the most expensive places to live in the United States, and home prices in Encinitas reflect that. Inland condos and townhouses start around $950,000 and go up to $3 million or more near the coast. Single-family styles vary from tiny $2 million bungalows to $9 million estates on Neptune, known as Encinitas' most expensive avenue. Standalone homes feel beachy or Mediterranean with rounded balconies, extended jetties and stucco exteriors in gray, seagrass and terra-cotta tones. Vintage charmers are found in Old Encinitas Historic District or Cardiff-by-the-Sea, and large tract homes in master-planned Encinitas Ranch. Furthest inland, equestrian properties and horse trails prevail. The newest neighborhood is Fox Point Farms, offering a mix of townhouses and carriage homes starting at $765,000 on a new five-acre organic regenerative farm. It's San Diego's first "agrihood," and will feature a 120-seat farm-to-table restaurant and brewery.
Shake shingle homes with fun designs like this one throughout Leucadia.
There are large modern custom homes along the stunning cliffs in Leucadia.
There are large Mediteranean style homes with ocean views just east of the 101 in Leucadia.
This brand new Aviara style home in La Costa Canyon has all the modern touches.
Outdoor living is synonymous with Encinitas. Boards lean casually on beachside stands, while locals bike the Coastal Rail Trail, hike Annie's Canyon Trail or explore 37 acres of wonderland at the San Diego Botanic Garden. Golfers savor ocean views at Encinitas Ranch Golf Course, and those seeking high-energy fun head to the zipline or skate park at Olympus Park. Moonlight is the main tourist beach, drawing the most people, and surfers converge at Swami's Beach Park to hone their craft. Pro skaters hail from Encinitas, and the city's central YMCA houses one of the county's largest and most diverse skate hubs. In 2024, a local skate group proposed the city build a pro skate bowl on Moonlight Beach.
The Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas has 100's of different plants.
A scooter is the best way to get around in Cardiff by the Sea.
Kids and parents love to unwind at the local Olympus skate park in Leucadia.
Leucadia State Beach has the best surf in North County.
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La Paloma movies and Cardiff Seaside Market
Small shops populate Encinitas' coastal streets, and large national staples line central El Camino Real. Downtown, residents pop into coffee shops or catch classics at historic La Paloma — famous for surfing movies back in the day. "In Encinitas," adds Szymanski, "you might walk to breakfast at Pipe's Café or to the Cardiff Seaside Market for lunch and get what we call Cardiff Crack. It's a marinated barbecue that's so popular they even fly it out to buyers. Then you can head to one of the only Patagonia stores right on the beach, in a building that's been here since 1914." Only a handful of hotels dot the coast, including surf-themed blufftop Hyatt's Alila Marea with a public restaurant and spa. Everyday errands are easy in shopping plazas with big box and brand-name stores.
The La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas is an iconic spot for local surf and skate films.
Locals prefer their own one of kind grocery store Seaside Market in Cardiff By The Sea.
When Locals can grab fresh produce at Seaside Market in Cardiff By The Sea.
These locals are enjoying a fun walk along the shops in downtown Encinitas.
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City school system gets all As
All the city's public schools and the Encinitas Union School District earn an A grade on Niche. Encinitas is also home to the private California Institute for Human Science and the California State University San Marcos is 15 miles northeast.
Central Interstate 5 corridor, bike lanes and COASTER train
San Diego County’s largest employer is the U.S. Navy, while employers in Encinitas range from tech startups to area universities and medical institutions. Commuters head to out-of-town employers in more metropolitan areas via the 5, and the San Diego International Airport is about 30 miles south. In town, locals often cycle in dedicated bike lanes. There's also the option to ride the COASTER train through Encinitas to Oceanside or destinations throughout San Diego. The Encinitas Station is also served by multiple BREEZE bus routes, with stops along main roadways.
Crime on the decline, environmental considerations remain
According to FBI crime data, the violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Encinitas dropped from 57 in January 2022 to 39 in December 2023, much lower than the national rate of 121. Property crime also declined from 133 to 103 in the same timeframe, which is lower than the national rate of 180.
To address hazards particular to its coastal location, including earthquake risk from the Rose Canyon Fault, coastal bluff failure and flooding in low-lying areas, the city maintains an emergency preparedness plan online. The Community Emergency Response Team program, known as CERT, offers residents basic disaster training.
Cyclovia and Switchfoot BRO-AM
People come from all over to Encinitas for the downtown Holiday Parade along Coast Highway 101, bustling with floats, bands and an annual tree lighting. In springtime, Cyclovia shuts off roadways, giving free reign to bikes of all sizes. In June, the Switchfoot BRO-AM draws more than 15,000 to Moonlight Beach for surf contests and live music. This free event has been held since 2005, raising millions for local at-risk youth charities.
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