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Central Encinitas

Central Encinitas

4.4
$1,922,758 Average Value
$1,087 Average Price per Sq Ft
69 Homes For Sale

A sun-drenched and walkable community

In sun-drenched Central Encinitas, locals can easily walk, bike and surf any day of the week. A part of the San Diego area, those who live here are accustomed to picturesque rugged coastal bluffs, hillside views and a buzzing downtown by the beach. “Compared to the nearby Carlsbad, Encinitas is a hip and more expensive area. As you go further down the coast, homes are higher in value,” says local Realtor Jordan Moss, a part of The Moss Team, a husband-and-wife-duo with Coldwell Banker Realty.

Encinitas neighborhood views highlight coastal charm and lush landscapes.
Encinitas neighborhood views highlight coastal charm and lush landscapes.
Ground-level shopping center blends lifestyle and retail in Central Encinitas.
Ground-level shopping center blends lifestyle and retail in Central Encinitas.
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Large shopping plazas at El Camino Real

Central Encinitas has many large shopping plazas along the retail corridor, El Camino Real. The thoroughfare leads to big box supercenters and department stores. To the west, centered along Coast Highway 101, is Downtown 101, a premier shopping district with upscale restaurants, cafes, window-front stores and boutiques. Health food shops sit beside thrift stores, yoga studios, salons and bustling bars. After a day of shopping, locals can walk right to the beach to enjoy the sunset. The commercial corridor blends vintage charm with a more modern aesthetic. This is a combined effort from community members and organizations, such as the non-profit Encinitas 101 MainStreet, which has a mission of historic preservation and renewal.

Central Encinitas sidewalks and walkability are a highlight for residents.
Central Encinitas sidewalks and walkability are a highlight for residents.
Queenstage Coffee in Encinitas is a local favorite for work and conversation.
Queenstage Coffee in Encinitas is a local favorite for work and conversation.
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An eclectic range of homes

The homes in this neighborhood have a wide range of styles that add an eclectic and creative feel to the area. Potential buyers can find newly built condominiums, hillside duplexes, modest ranches and large single-family contemporary styles. Condominiums and townhouses often range from $750,000 to $1.2 million. On average, single-family homes start at $1.3 million and reach upwards of $3.5 million.

Spanish Mediterranean-style homes can be seen in Central Encinitas.
Spanish Mediterranean-style homes can be seen in Central Encinitas.
Encinitas neighborhood views highlight coastal charm and lush landscapes.
Encinitas neighborhood views highlight coastal charm and lush landscapes.
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An outdoor community

As a health-conscious outdoor community, Central Encinitas has more than its fair share of parks and green space. Bocce players are often seen on the courts at Oakcrest Park, and Sun Vista Park has a dedicated space for dogs. Little ones can play in the shade on the modern playscapes at Las Verdes Park. The newly opened Encinitas Community Park offers playscapes, a skate park, a dog park and sports fields for athletic locals. Walking trails are scattered throughout Encinitas, presenting spectacular views from the sloping landscape to the coast. Visitors and residents alike spend time surfing and strolling the sandy coastline of Moonlight Beach.

Visitor center at San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy offers scenic observation deck.
Visitor center at San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy offers scenic observation deck.
San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy in Encinitas has trails for hiking and birdwatching.
San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy in Encinitas has trails for hiking and birdwatching.
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Theater, golf course and garden

Downtown Encinitas is home to the La Paloma Theater, a historic Spanish Colonial Revival movie theater built in 1928. Crowds of people pile into the small establishment every other Friday at midnight to watch the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Residents here mark their calendars for several festivals and community events throughout the year. On the weekends, the Encinitas Moonlight Marketplace attracts artisans, food vendors and locals. Many look forward to the Switchfoot Bro-Am in early July, an annual surf competition and outdoor music festival on the sands at Moonlight Beach. The community is also home to a tropical rainforest and bamboo grooves inside the San Diego Botanic Garden. The 37-acre garden hosts the illuminating event, Lightscape, during the winter holiday. Encinitas Ranch Golf Course is another recreational delight for avid golfers hoping to tee off on a championship 18-hole course. “This is a great community with a lot of history. The area is the largest producer of the poinsettia Christmas flower. And the Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens, which is free to the public, was set up by the grandfather of yoga, Paramahansa Yogananda,” Moss says. “The grounds have lovely trees and sweeping ocean views.”

San Diego Botanic Garden spans 37 acres of diverse plants in Encinitas.
San Diego Botanic Garden spans 37 acres of diverse plants in Encinitas.
Historic La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas hosts films and community events.
Historic La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas hosts films and community events.
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A rated schools from K-12

The Encinitas Union Elementary School District and the San Dieguito Union High School District serve the community. Paul Ecke-Central Elementary is open to kindergarten to sixth-grade learners and has an A on Niche. Diegueno Middle and Oak Crest Middle Schools accept seventh to eighth graders and hold the No. 9 and No. 10 spots for Best Public Middle Schools in the San Diego Area, according to Niche. San Dieguito High School Academy, rated A-plus, provides CTE pathways for teens interested in film production, architectural design, software and systems development as well as other offerings.

Paul Ecke-Central Elementary in Encinitas is a historic school with A rating.
Paul Ecke-Central Elementary in Encinitas is a historic school with A rating.
Sunset High School in Encinitas provides alternative education programs.
Sunset High School in Encinitas provides alternative education programs.
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Interstate 5

For those commuting to downtown San Diego or other more far-reaching parts of the city, Interstate 5 runs through Central Encinitas. In addition, Central Encinitas is home to a Coaster train stop for commutes throughout San Diego County.

Joerg Boetel
Photography Contributed By
Joerg Boetel
Nick Seitz
Video By
Nick Seitz

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

San Diego International

32 min drive

Train

Encinitas

Bus

Encinitas Bl & Delphinium St

Bus

El Camino Real & Mountain Vista Dr

Bus

Encinitas Blvd & Essex Heights

Bus

Encinitas Station Stall 6

Bus

Encinitas Bl & Willowspring Dr

Bus

Encinitas Bl & Town & Country

Bus

El Camino Real & Garden View Rd (499)

Reviews

Niche Reviews
4.4 140 Reviews
4.0 Current Resident
3/1/2019 Niche Review
Good place to live, but a bit expensive. Houses and everything is nice. Very close to the beach and nice people all around.
4.0 Current Resident
11/28/2023 Niche Review
It is really beautiful and I am lucky to have grown up here. However, people are obsessed with keeping up and tend to be too worried about superficial issues or themselves.
4.0 Former Resident
7/30/2020 Niche Review
Fun place to live. Lots to do. Really nice beaches but pretty crowded year round. Nice weather year round, rarely rains. Good place to raise a family but very expensive. Very dog friendly city. Good surf.
5.0 Niche User
5/15/2016 Niche Review
The area is beautiful. There is plenty of plant life and most of it is well maintained. Views of the ocean are breathtaking, especially at sunset. There are some relatively run down areas but nothing too bad. The culture is nice with its appreciation of health, nature, and authenticity. Although some people can be a bit snooty, the overall atmosphere is inviting.
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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Central Encinitas US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 2 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
10,409
Number of Homes for Sale
69
Median Year Built
1980
Months of Supply
2.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,183
Above the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,198
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,118
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
775
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
300
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,712

Open Houses

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
46
Median Rent
$7,500
Median Single Family Home Rent
$6,650
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$12,000
Median Townhouse Rent
$7,600
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$8,300
Median Condo Rent
$3,900
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$4,245

Demographics

Total Population
35,277
Median Age
46
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.9%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$148,328
Significantly above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$176,405

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97%
College Graduates
64.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
25.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.5%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
11''
Average Winter Low Temperature
48°F
Average Summer High Temperature
74°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Fairly bikeable

Bikeability®

40 / 100

Fairly walkable

Walkability®

50 / 100

Minimal public transit

Transit®

10 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Central Encinitas
Kurt Steffien
Realty Discount Corporation
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