Overview
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.
4 sights · 5 things to do · 15 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Encinitas
San Diego Botanic Garden
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.
San Elijo Lagoon Reserve
Coastal wetlands.
Cardiff State Beach
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.
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.
Meditation Gardens at the Self Realization Fellowship
These are open to the public even if you have no relationship to the fellowship. Do not worry about being proselytized to.
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.…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 44°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Escondido)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CLD McClellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad — 6 mi away. Directions
- SAN San Diego International Airport, San Diego — 22 mi away (major hub). Directions
Encinitas is located just off Interstate Highway 5. Take the Encinitas Blvd exit.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $175–$175 a night (typical $200), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$220, mid-range ~$280, comfortable ~$340.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning San Elijo Lagoon Reserve, The beach, Surfing
- Lunch Pannikin's Coffee and Tea
- Afternoon Leucadia Surf School, YMCA Skate Park
- Dinner Honey's Bistro & Bakery
- Evening The Kraken
Day 2
- Morning San Diego Botanic Garden, Cardiff State Beach
- Lunch Oggi's Pizza & Brewing Co.
- Afternoon Meditation Gardens at the Self Realization Fellowship, Moonlight Beach
- Dinner Potato Shack Cafe
- Evening The Saloon
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Encinitas is a wealthy suburb of San Diego. The city is something of a hub for the New Age community, perhaps due to the presence of the Self Realization Fellowship's Encinitas Hermitage, where Yogananda took up residence in 1936, and wrote Autobiography of a Yogi.
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. Encinitas station is located at 25 E D St.
By plane
The closest commercial airport is in San Diego (SAN), and the closest general aviation airport is the McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad (CLD). Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 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
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.
Do
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.
Do Moonlight Beach
Beautiful white sand beach at the north end of town. West end of 'B' Street. Lifeguards on duty in season.
Buy
Shop Hansens Surf Shop
Clothes, swim suits, surfboards, and almost all beach needs can be purchased here located at the south end of the 101
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.
Eat Pannikin's Coffee and Tea
A local favorite, built inside the 1888 Santa Fe Railroad Station. Lots of places to hangout both inside and out. Very casual atmosphere.
Eat Honey's Bistro & Bakery
Popular breakfast and lunch cafe with plenty of California and Mexican favorites.
Eat Potato Shack Cafe
Popular breakfast and lunch cafe.
Eat Plumeria Vegetarian Encinitas
Thai food. A good place to go if you're looking for vegan/vegetarian spring rolls or tom kha soup with tofu.
Eat Sushi Bar Blue Fin
Traditional Japanese flavors with contemporary Western fusion.
Eat Pavlos Tacos
Some of the best burritos in town. Local hangout.
Eat VG's Donuts
Best donuts in town.
Eat Pipes Cafe
Great local cafe.
Eat Firenze trattoria
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.
Eat Juanitas Taco Shop
A popular inexpensive Mexican food shop. Big burritos.
Eat Union Kitchen and Tap
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.
Eat Raul's Mexican Food
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.
Eat Gelato 101 encinitas
Across the street from the La Paloma Theater. Flavors may be switched occasionally.
Eat Jorge's Mexicatessen
Small, inexpensive Mexican restaurant famous for their chicken soup.
Drink
Drink The Saloon
An oldschool bar with a red neon sign and well done murals of Encinitas' past.
Drink Pannikin Coffee & Tea
Large highway-side coffeehouse with brunch.
Drink The Kraken
Longstanding bar with live music, good drinks, and serving food right by the beach. Lots of locals and regulars here.
Sleep
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.
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