Encinitas, CA Road Trips

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.

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. 1 San Diego Botanic Garden (formerly Quail Botanical Garden), 230 Quail Gardens Drive. 9AM–5PM daily. 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. $14 for adults; $10 for students, seniors, and active military; $8 for children under 12; free for children 2 and under. 2 San Elijo Lagoon Reserve. Coastal wetlands. 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. (updated Feb 2026)

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. 1 Cardiff State Beach (south on Highway 101). 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. Leucadia Surf School. For those who want to try out surfing for the first time with year around 2 hour surf lessons and summer surf camps. Moonlight Beach. Beautiful white sand beach at the north end of town. West end of 'B' Street. Lifeguards on duty in season. YMCA Skate Park. One of the first and still one of the best skate parks in the world. Not uncommon to see greats such as Tony Hawk here.

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. Pannikin's Coffee and Tea, 510 North Coast Highway 101. A local favorite, built inside the 1888 Santa Fe Railroad Station. Lots of places to hangout both inside and out. Very casual atmosphere. Honey's Bistro & Bakery, 632 S. Coast Highway 101. Popular breakfast and lunch cafe with plenty of California and Mexican favorites. Oggi's Pizza & Brewing Co., 305 Encinitas Blvd (just off Highway 5). Potato Shack Cafe, 120 West I St. Popular breakfast and lunch cafe. Plumeria Vegetarian Encinitas, 527 S. Coast Highway 101, ☏ +1 760-487-1488. Thai food. A good place to go if you're looking for vegan/vegetarian spring rolls or tom kha soup with tofu. Sushi Bar Blue Fin, 257 N. El Camino Real (Exit ENCINITAS BLVD. just off of 5 fwy), ☏ +1 760 479-1555. Traditional Japanese flavors with contemporary Western fusion. Pavlos Tacos, 165 S El Camino Real, ☏ +1 760-274-6169. Some of the best burritos in town. Local hangout. VG's Donuts, 106 Aberdeen Dr (between Newcastle Ave & San Elijo Ave), ☏ +1 760 753-2400. Best donuts in town. Pipes Cafe, 121 Liverpool Dr, Cardiff. Great local cafe. Firenze trattoria, 162 S. Rancho Sante Fe Rd (in the West Village Center at Encinitas Blvd and Manchester/Rancho Santa Fe), ☏ +1 760 944-9000.

The Saloon, 546 S Coast Hwy 101. An oldschool bar with a red neon sign and well done murals of Encinitas' past. (updated Feb 2026) Pannikin Coffee & Tea, 510 N Coast Hwy 101. Large highway-side coffeehouse with brunch. (updated Feb 2026)

The Encinitan Hotel & Suites, 85 Encinitas Blvd, ☏ +1 760 942-7455, fax: +1 760 632-9481. Days Inn Encinitas-Lego Land/Moonlight, 133 Encinitas Blvd, ☏ +1 760 944-0260. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. The Black Orchid Bed and Breakfast, 653 Requeza St (Westlake and Requeza St), ☏ +1 760 753-0584. Three complete suites with private balconies, fireplaces, views of the ocean, and a gourmet breakfast. $175 to $225.

Encinitas is located just off Interstate Highway 5. Take the Encinitas Blvd exit. 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. 1 Encinitas station is located at 25 E D St. The closest commercial airport is in San Diego (SAN IATA), and the closest general aviation airport is the McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad (CLD IATA). Los Angeles International Airport (LAX IATA) is 2-3 hours by bus or car depending on traffic.

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.