Guidebook for Encinitas
Entertainment & Activities
Less than 5 miles away by car or bicycle, The Del Mar Racetrack is San Diego's world-class horse racing venue. Here is the link: https://www.dmtc.com. The season goes from mid July through early September. Fridays include top notch bands playing live after the races. Inexpensive if you want, and fun for family.
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Del Mar Racing
2260 Jimmy Durante BlvdLess than 5 miles away by car or bicycle, The Del Mar Racetrack is San Diego's world-class horse racing venue. Here is the link: https://www.dmtc.com. The season goes from mid July through early September. Fridays include top notch bands playing live after the races. Inexpensive if you want, and fun for family.
This is a wonderful and large botanical garden with both local and introduced species of plants. It also has a fun area for kids to explore.
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San Diego Botanic Garden
300 Quail Gardens DrThis is a wonderful and large botanical garden with both local and introduced species of plants. It also has a fun area for kids to explore.
A funky old Art Deco style (unrefurbished) movie theater in downtown Encinitas. A real local vibe. If you can catch a surf premier or adventure film, you're in luck! They play current feature films and special runs. Cash only!
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La Paloma Theatre
471 S Coast Hwy 101A funky old Art Deco style (unrefurbished) movie theater in downtown Encinitas. A real local vibe. If you can catch a surf premier or adventure film, you're in luck! They play current feature films and special runs. Cash only!
Most of the schools in the area are at Moonlight Beach, approx. 2.5 miles north of Cardiff at the base of Encinitas Boulevard. This beach has bathrooms, showers, lifeguards and good food at the snack bar. The best place to park is up above, in the parking lot on the hill behind the lifeguard tower. You can also park on the street if you can find a spot. Here are the links for 4 schools that operate at Moonlight Beach.
http://www.elihoward.com
http://www.leucadiasurfschool.com/Surfing_Lessons.html
http://encinitassurflessons.com
http://moonlightbeachsurfcamps.com
For beginners, it’s best to use as big a board as you can get! A nine or ten foot long soft board is usually sufficient fo
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San Diego Surf Lessons
4121 Pacific Beach DrMost of the schools in the area are at Moonlight Beach, approx. 2.5 miles north of Cardiff at the base of Encinitas Boulevard. This beach has bathrooms, showers, lifeguards and good food at the snack bar. The best place to park is up above, in the parking lot on the hill behind the lifeguard tower. You can also park on the street if you can find a spot. Here are the links for 4 schools that operate at Moonlight Beach.
http://www.elihoward.com
http://www.leucadiasurfschool.com/Surfing_Lessons.html
http://encinitassurflessons.com
http://moonlightbeachsurfcamps.com
For beginners, it’s best to use as big a board as you can get! A nine or ten foot long soft board is usually sufficient fo
Food Scene
We only go to the Chart House for an occasional happy hour cocktail in the bar (and Thanksgiving dinner) because it's pretty pricey. But it's an amazing place to watch the sunset from floor to ceiling windows. The view is gorgeous! The food is excellent. If you want to splurge, go for it! You can walk here from our house.
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Chart House
2588 S Coast Hwy 101We only go to the Chart House for an occasional happy hour cocktail in the bar (and Thanksgiving dinner) because it's pretty pricey. But it's an amazing place to watch the sunset from floor to ceiling windows. The view is gorgeous! The food is excellent. If you want to splurge, go for it! You can walk here from our house.
EXCELLENT view of Cardiff Reef. You can walk here from our house. Nice upstairs bar and dining where you can watch the surfers. A bit pricey, but delicious and worth it if you want to splurge. The downstairs indoor dining can get pretty loud. Arrive early and ask for an outdoor table to sit RIGHT on the beach. Be prepared to wait... or make a reservation. The outdoor and upstairs deck tables are worth the wait. Have a drink in the upstairs bar. They have heaters and blankets outdoors on cooler nights. Lunch is less expensive and still a GREAT view!
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Pacific Coast Grill
2526 S Coast Hwy 101EXCELLENT view of Cardiff Reef. You can walk here from our house. Nice upstairs bar and dining where you can watch the surfers. A bit pricey, but delicious and worth it if you want to splurge. The downstairs indoor dining can get pretty loud. Arrive early and ask for an outdoor table to sit RIGHT on the beach. Be prepared to wait... or make a reservation. The outdoor and upstairs deck tables are worth the wait. Have a drink in the upstairs bar. They have heaters and blankets outdoors on cooler nights. Lunch is less expensive and still a GREAT view!
A great place for a margarita, chips and salsa! Perfect apres surf! You can walk here from our house or Cardiff Reef and enjoy the sunset. Step across the Coast Highway to the beach and enjoy the sand in your toes!
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Las Olas
2655 S Coast Hwy 101A great place for a margarita, chips and salsa! Perfect apres surf! You can walk here from our house or Cardiff Reef and enjoy the sunset. Step across the Coast Highway to the beach and enjoy the sand in your toes!
OUR LOCAL FAVORITE RESTAURANT. Fresh, healthy, delicious food (breakfast, lunch and dinner), affordable, craft beer and cocktails with an ocean view. A local's favorite! Early bird (sunset) specials and happy hour from 4:30-6. Live music most Friday nights. New Sushi Bar serving Wed-Sat. You can walk here from our home and watch the sunset! Ki's catered our wedding. They are great! Ki's also has great breakfast, lunch, and fresh juice/smoothies and healthy fare.
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Ki's Restaurant
2591 S Coast Hwy 101OUR LOCAL FAVORITE RESTAURANT. Fresh, healthy, delicious food (breakfast, lunch and dinner), affordable, craft beer and cocktails with an ocean view. A local's favorite! Early bird (sunset) specials and happy hour from 4:30-6. Live music most Friday nights. New Sushi Bar serving Wed-Sat. You can walk here from our home and watch the sunset! Ki's catered our wedding. They are great! Ki's also has great breakfast, lunch, and fresh juice/smoothies and healthy fare.
Very local and friendly hang out. Great coffee and frozen coffee drinks, etc... One of my favorite places for a custom bagel or pre-made sandwich after the walk from Cardiff to Encinitas, or when touring the Self Realization Fellowship Gardens. Grab a bite and hang out there in the cute backyard at Java Hut, or on the benches at Swami's (1/4 mile south) for a beautiful view of one of the best surf breaks anywhere!
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Surfdog's Java Hut
1126 S Coast Hwy 101Very local and friendly hang out. Great coffee and frozen coffee drinks, etc... One of my favorite places for a custom bagel or pre-made sandwich after the walk from Cardiff to Encinitas, or when touring the Self Realization Fellowship Gardens. Grab a bite and hang out there in the cute backyard at Java Hut, or on the benches at Swami's (1/4 mile south) for a beautiful view of one of the best surf breaks anywhere!
THE best coffee. Walk straight down the hill and grab a cup (YUM)! Check out the waves across the street! Perfect morning.
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Zumbar Coffee & Tea
111 Chesterfield DrTHE best coffee. Walk straight down the hill and grab a cup (YUM)! Check out the waves across the street! Perfect morning.
The best pizza around. And you can get it by the slice and take it into the Lost Abbey Tasting Room. Enjoy your pizza with excellent micro brews! Our favorite is the artichoke special. Yum!
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East Coast Pizza
2015 San Elijo AveThe best pizza around. And you can get it by the slice and take it into the Lost Abbey Tasting Room. Enjoy your pizza with excellent micro brews! Our favorite is the artichoke special. Yum!
Great Microbrews and good caesar salad, mac & cheese, and pizza. $12 for a slice and a brew. Nice open air feel with views down to Seaside beach. Always a surf video on at least one TV!
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Best Pizza & Brew Cardiff By The Sea
102 Aberdeen DrGreat Microbrews and good caesar salad, mac & cheese, and pizza. $12 for a slice and a brew. Nice open air feel with views down to Seaside beach. Always a surf video on at least one TV!
Yummy Asian hot pots with brown rice, veggies, kim chi, egg, or meat, etc... Nice beer and wine selection. A great place to eat before a movie at the La Paloma. Put your name on the list and walk around. Usually it's a 1/2 hour wait, but well worth it. Note: the tables in the window are super uncomfortable... wait for a better table if you can.
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East Village Asian Diner
628 S Coast Hwy 101Yummy Asian hot pots with brown rice, veggies, kim chi, egg, or meat, etc... Nice beer and wine selection. A great place to eat before a movie at the La Paloma. Put your name on the list and walk around. Usually it's a 1/2 hour wait, but well worth it. Note: the tables in the window are super uncomfortable... wait for a better table if you can.
Everything you need is here. It's somewhat pricey, except for some good deals in the deli. The portions are large, so I usually get two meals out of one. Always delicious! Perfect place to put together a gourmet picnic for the beach.
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Cardiff Seaside Market
2087 San Elijo AveEverything you need is here. It's somewhat pricey, except for some good deals in the deli. The portions are large, so I usually get two meals out of one. Always delicious! Perfect place to put together a gourmet picnic for the beach.
Very fresh fish, lots of variety. Delicious tacos. Good beer and wine selection. Quick walk from our home at the bottom of Liverpool Street by Seaside Market.
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Fish 101 Cardiff
2101 San Elijo AveVery fresh fish, lots of variety. Delicious tacos. Good beer and wine selection. Quick walk from our home at the bottom of Liverpool Street by Seaside Market.
While its known for its yummy beers (especially IPAs) this fun place also has good food, including vegetarian dishes. Kids are allowed.
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Modern Times Far West Lounge
470 S Coast Hwy 101While its known for its yummy beers (especially IPAs) this fun place also has good food, including vegetarian dishes. Kids are allowed.
Drinks & Nightlife
This famous local brewer has its main brewery, tasting room, and restaurant 18 miles inland from us in Escondido. It's hot out there, better to stay here at the beach during mid-day. Beautiful gardens, and a big beer menu. Kid friendly.
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Stone Brewing
1999 Citracado ParkwyThis famous local brewer has its main brewery, tasting room, and restaurant 18 miles inland from us in Escondido. It's hot out there, better to stay here at the beach during mid-day. Beautiful gardens, and a big beer menu. Kid friendly.
Small Divey Bar located down the street on Chesterfield, across from Zumbar Coffee and up the street from Patagonia. JUKE BOX and POOL TABLE. Some good beers on tap. No views. Good place if you want to play pool. 1 pool table. Friendly service.
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Shanty
126 Chesterfield DriveSmall Divey Bar located down the street on Chesterfield, across from Zumbar Coffee and up the street from Patagonia. JUKE BOX and POOL TABLE. Some good beers on tap. No views. Good place if you want to play pool. 1 pool table. Friendly service.
The best venue in San Diego for great music! Check out their calendar online. I've seen Lucinda Williams, Sharon Jones, Jimmy Cliff and many more... always great sound! You can have dinner next door at the Wild Note Cafe before the show.
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Belly Up
143 S Cedros AveThe best venue in San Diego for great music! Check out their calendar online. I've seen Lucinda Williams, Sharon Jones, Jimmy Cliff and many more... always great sound! You can have dinner next door at the Wild Note Cafe before the show.
Very friendly and social vibe with lots of Cardiff locals and kids running around inside and outside. Excellent brews! Bring food in from wherever you want - like East Coast Pizza next door or the famous and delicious deli at Seaside Market.
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The Confessional by The Lost Abbey
2007 San Elijo AveVery friendly and social vibe with lots of Cardiff locals and kids running around inside and outside. Excellent brews! Bring food in from wherever you want - like East Coast Pizza next door or the famous and delicious deli at Seaside Market.
Great assortment of craft beers. Tons of IPA options. Also vegetrarian food. Ok for minors.
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Modern Times Far West Lounge
470 S Coast Hwy 101Great assortment of craft beers. Tons of IPA options. Also vegetrarian food. Ok for minors.
Parks & Nature
This nice little park is just over a mile away from our home. It has gorgeous views (and stairs going down to) one of California's most iconic surf spots. A lovely beach. Close to downtown Encinitas' restaurants and bars. Lots of people stop and enjoy the view from the benches at the top. We've even run into Jack Tempchin (songwriter of many Eagles' tunes - like Peaceful Easy Feelin') singing and playing his guitar there.
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Swamis Seaside Park
1298 S Coast Hwy 101This nice little park is just over a mile away from our home. It has gorgeous views (and stairs going down to) one of California's most iconic surf spots. A lovely beach. Close to downtown Encinitas' restaurants and bars. Lots of people stop and enjoy the view from the benches at the top. We've even run into Jack Tempchin (songwriter of many Eagles' tunes - like Peaceful Easy Feelin') singing and playing his guitar there.
This state park has great beaches and is renowned for surfing for beginners or advanced surfers. Some of the best long boarders in the world surf here, and some surf schools too. Just 7 blocks away from our home, we can help advise you on parking, best time to surf, and a couple semi-secret beach spots to get away from the others.
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San Elijo State Beach
2050 S Coast Hwy 101This state park has great beaches and is renowned for surfing for beginners or advanced surfers. Some of the best long boarders in the world surf here, and some surf schools too. Just 7 blocks away from our home, we can help advise you on parking, best time to surf, and a couple semi-secret beach spots to get away from the others.
Check out the breathtaking views of the ocean from the manicured gardens and Koi ponds at the Self-Realization Fellowship Garden. It's free (donation box) open 9-5pm, Sun 11-5, closed on Mondays. (But if you are visiting on a Monday, sometimes they'll open the gate just for you.) It's a quiet, natural, spiritual place... enjoy the peace. Loud talking and cell phones not allowed. Meditation encouraged.
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Self-Realization Fellowship: Hermitage
Check out the breathtaking views of the ocean from the manicured gardens and Koi ponds at the Self-Realization Fellowship Garden. It's free (donation box) open 9-5pm, Sun 11-5, closed on Mondays. (But if you are visiting on a Monday, sometimes they'll open the gate just for you.) It's a quiet, natural, spiritual place... enjoy the peace. Loud talking and cell phones not allowed. Meditation encouraged.
Gorgeous, peaceful, lagoon hiking trails! You can hike on the North side of the lagoon in Cardiff, or drive over to the South side (Solana Beach) and hike through the slot canyon trail that just opened up to a beautiful lookout point (see photos).
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San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center
2710 Manchester AveGorgeous, peaceful, lagoon hiking trails! You can hike on the North side of the lagoon in Cardiff, or drive over to the South side (Solana Beach) and hike through the slot canyon trail that just opened up to a beautiful lookout point (see photos).
One of my favorite local hikes! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Stunning views as you hike along the beach or up into the hills overlooking the ocean. Even the drive along the Coast Highway from Cardiff to the park in Del Mar has breathtaking views. There's a nice loop that takes about 2 hours from beach to hills and back down .
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Torrey Pinesin osavaltion luonnonsuojelualue
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadOne of my favorite local hikes! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Stunning views as you hike along the beach or up into the hills overlooking the ocean. Even the drive along the Coast Highway from Cardiff to the park in Del Mar has breathtaking views. There's a nice loop that takes about 2 hours from beach to hills and back down .
One of the best surf breaks anywhere. Great for longboarding most days unless it's big. Intermediate and advanced surfers will love Cardiff Reef. If the waves are good you might have to compete with the pros. If you're learning, just head over to the campground nearby for more chill vibe and less competition. There are bathrooms and lifeguards.
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Cardiff State Beach
One of the best surf breaks anywhere. Great for longboarding most days unless it's big. Intermediate and advanced surfers will love Cardiff Reef. If the waves are good you might have to compete with the pros. If you're learning, just head over to the campground nearby for more chill vibe and less competition. There are bathrooms and lifeguards.
Arts & Culture
World class university also has interesting sculptures on campus. Just 12 miles from our home. Regular bus service is available.
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University of California San Diego
9500 Gilman DrWorld class university also has interesting sculptures on campus. Just 12 miles from our home. Regular bus service is available.
Sightseeing
Walk from La Jolla Cove to the "Childrens' Pool" where the seals have taken over the beach that was once designated for kids. You can walk out on a cement promontory and get pretty close to the seals without disturbing them. Ask me and I'll give you more specifics on where to park and walk.
La Jolla Coast Walks
1249 Coast BlvdWalk from La Jolla Cove to the "Childrens' Pool" where the seals have taken over the beach that was once designated for kids. You can walk out on a cement promontory and get pretty close to the seals without disturbing them. Ask me and I'll give you more specifics on where to park and walk.