Everything Encinitas

Everything Encinitas

Things to Do

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Self Realization Fellowship, Meditation Gardens

Free to visit, the internationally renowned gardens offer a diversity of colorful plants, meditation nooks, koi ponds, and spectacular ocean vistas – providing a unique & inspirational setting where one can pray, study, meditate, or just sit quietly enjoying the expression of such beauty in nature. Your answer to a peaceful and serene experience.

http://encinitastemple.org/visiting/

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Candles on Tap – DIY Candle Bar 

The perfect date night or girls night out… Head on down to Candles on Tap where you craft and hand pour your own custom candles. They offer 90+ unique and premium fragrance oils to choose from and can be blended to create your own options – they are all made from natural soy wax and skin safe oils so that each product is paragon-free, vegan and toxic-free. They have Scent Stylists that help guide you through the entire hand-pouring process and make it a very memorable experience. 

https://candlesontap.com/

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San Elijo Lagoon

Whether you are a runner, hiker, bird watcher or photographer, San Elijo Lagoon provides natural solace and recreation for all. One of San Diego’s largest wetlands, this 979-acre reserve is primarily a shallow-water estuary, formed where the Escondido and La Orilla Creeks meet the Pacific Ocean. From sunrise to sunset, explore 7 miles of easy-to-moderate trails and hike the quarter-mile, moderate-to-strenuous Annie’s Canyon Trail. Kids can even enjoy TRACK Trails, a nature-themed scavenger hunt to win prizes online.

https://www.sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/park-pages/SanElijo.html

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Leucadia Farmers Market

The Leucadia Certified Farmers Market is held every Sunday from 10 am – 2 pm on the school grounds of Paul Ecke Central School. The market has 75+ vendors with amazing flowers, plants and fresh produce, including a large Certified Organic section. In addition you will find specialty foods like bakeries, beef, seafood, marinades, pastas, sauces etc. Come hungry, as they also have a very nice food court serving breakfast and lunch and don’t miss the crafty local artisans where you can find unique gifts and treasures!

http://www.leucadiafarmersmarket.com/

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San Diego Botanic Gardens

Established in 1970, a 37-acre urban oasis with 4 miles of trails & the West Coast’s largest children’s garden. Enjoy four miles of trails that display more than 5,000 plant species and varieties, including 300 plants for which SDBG is the only garden maintaining a population of. A walk in the park with views you won’t be able to beat.

https://sdbg.org/

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Coastal Rail Trail

The Coastal Rail Trail is a continuous bike route that runs approximately 44 miles between Oceanside and Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego. Spend a day cruising up or down and taking in the beautiful coastal views while on a safe, paved trail.

https://www.traillink.com/trail/coastal-rail-trail/

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Visit Encinitas Historical Society – Walking Tour

Even if you’re a San Diego resident, we recommend you go on a historical walking tour of Encinitas. Check their website to plan a date and be intrigued as you are taken on a two-hour long tour that includes many historic interests such as the iconic boathouses, Cottonwood Creek, Encinitas’ one-room 1883 school house, relocated historic buildings and much more. P.S. Dogs are always welcome and donations are gratefully accepted for an all-volunteer organization.

https://www.walkthecitytours.com/encinitas-tour

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Cal Pacific Orchid Farm

Cal Pacific Orchid Farm is a family owned and operated 36,000 sq. ft. greenhouse conveniently located less than a mile from the beach in Encinitas. Cal Pacific is open to the public 6 days per week and serves both orchid enthusiasts and novices alike. Their museum-like showroom always hosts 100’s of blooming orchid plants from all over the world and dozens of beautiful living arrangements that are great for any occasion. Whether you want a custom arrangement created and delivered, need some orchid growing supplies, or just want to stop by and check it out, it offers a wonderful floral escape.

https://www.calpacificorchids.com/

Local Landmarks

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Check Out the Boat Houses

Quite literally two houses built to look exactly like boats! Dubbed the SS Encinitas and SS Moonlight, these two “boat houses” stand 15 ft. tall by 20 ft. long and have a floor space of 1,100 sq. ft., which is larger than your standard-sized apartment. Architect Miles Kellogg used salvaged timber from two local businesses to erect these unique residences all the way back in the 1920s, and they are still used as private dwellings to this very day…so don’t go KNOCK up to the door! 😉

https://encinitashistoricalsociety.org/the-boathouses/

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Lou’s Records – Local Record Shop

Selling a unique mixture of new & used vinyl, CD’s, cassettes, turntables and DVD’s, Lou’s Records is one of Cardiff’s beachside favorites. Over the years their reputation continues to expand for having hard-to-find releases. Known for holding performances and events inside the store, you never know what you are going to hear when taking a stroll into Lou’s.

http://www.lousrecords.com/

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La Paloma Theater

Encinitas’ original theatre and San Diego’s oldest, opened in 1928.  The historic La Paloma Theatre has been providing coastal Encinitas with quality entertainment with first run movies, surf premiers, live concerts and community events for almost a century. Whether catching a show or just checking out the iconic theatre, it is an Encinitas must. With it’s convenient location, you can then walk around all of the local shops in downtown Encinitas.

https://www.lapalomatheatre.com/

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Dave’s Rock Garden

Frustrated with an empty lot next to his house that seemed to always gather trash, Encinitas resident Dave Dean decided to take matters into his own hands. A once neglected dirt lot has now been turned into a work of art. Dave started the transformation in 2015 and went to town with succulents and painted rocks galore, determined to make the garden so beautiful that no one would want to destroy it. Stop by and check out all of the bedazzled details!

https://hiddensandiego.com/things-to-do/places/daves-rock-garden

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See the Surfing Madonna

Next to the Encinitas Boulevard sidewalk, just east of Coast Highway 101, there’s a tiny open courtyard with a beautiful ocean mural and a shrine-like mosaic titled Surfing Madonna. The 10 by 10 feet mosaic depicts the Virgin of Guadalupe on a white surfboard, praying. The Surfing Madonna Oceans Project brings the community together through events that promote sustainability, oceanic responsibility and a healthy lifestyle.

https://www.surfingmadonna.org/

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See the Cardiff Kook Statue

The Cardiff Kook is a famous, roughly six feet high statue along State Coast Highway 101 welcoming visitors and residents to the Cardiff-by-the-Sea neighborhood of Encinitas. The nickname comes from the fact that the bronzed surfer in the statue has a strange surfing form and has been labeled a “kook” by local surfers. It is frequently adorned with various items and sometimes completely dressed up in outfits to fit the occasion or holiday. Stop by to check it out on your trip to the beaches of Encinitas.

https://yournorthcounty.com/what-is-the-cardiff-kook/

Parks in Encinitas

Encinitas Parks 

 

Cottonwood Creek Park

95 N. Vulcan

Restrooms

Gazebo (not reservable)

Basketball Court (not reservable)

Tennis Courts (not reservable)

Beer & Wine Allowed

Parking Lot (includes ADA spaces)

Children’s Play Area

Picnic Facilities

Not Reservable  

 

Encinitas Viewpoint Park

Cornish Drive & D Street

Children’s Play Area

Picnic Facilities

No Restrooms

On-Street Parking

No Alcohol

Off-leash dog hours are Monday, Wednesday Friday and Sunday 6am – 9:00am and 3pm – 8pm

Special Events permits available for Limited Special Ceremonies

 

Mildred MacPherson Park

1045 S Vulcan Avenue

Children’s Play Area

Picnic Facilities

No Restrooms

On-Street Parking

Basketball Court (not reservable)

Beer & Wine Allowed

Not Reservable  

 

Oakcrest Park

1219 Encinitas Blvd.

Parking Lot (includes ADA spaces)

Children’s Play Area

Picnic Facilities

Restrooms

Bocce Courts (not reservable)

Horseshoe Courts (not reservable)

Beer & Wine Allowed

Special Events permits available for Limited Special Ceremonies  

 

Orpheus Park

482 Orpheus Avenue

Children’s Play Area

Picnic Facilities

No Restrooms

On-Street Parking

Beer & Wine Allowed

Off-leash dog hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 6am – 7:30am and 3pm – 8pm. Sunday 6am- 9am and 3pm – 8pm

Not Reservable  

 

Scott Valley Park

1602 Willowhaven Road

Children’s Play Area

Picnic Facilities

No Restrooms

Basketball Court (not reservable)

Beer & Wine Allowed

On-Street Parking

Not Reservable  

 

Sun Vista Park

2011 Avenida La Posta

Children’s Play Area

Picnic Facilities

No Restrooms

Beer & Wine Allowed

On-Street Parking

Off-leash dog hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday 6am – 9:00am and 3pm – 8pm (east side of park only)

Not Reservable   

 

Cardiff Parks 

 

Encinitas Community Park 

425 Santa Fe Drive

Restrooms

Maggie Houlihan Memorial Dog Park (8am – sunset. Closed each Thursday 1pm-3pm for maintenance)

Skate Park (8am – sunset)

Parking Lot (includes ADA spaces)

Children’s Play Area

Picnic Facilities

Beer and Wine Allowed

Outdoor Facility Use Permits and Limited Special Events

Softball/Baseball Fields (8am – sunset) (reservable)

Soccer/Multi-Purpose Fields (8am – sunset) (reservable)

 

Glen Park

2149 Orinda Drive

Park Hours – Dawn to Dusk

Parking Lot (includes ADA spaces)

Children’s Play Area

Picnic Facilities

Restrooms

Basketball Court (not reservable)

Tennis Court (not reservable)

Volleyball Court (not reservable)

Horseshoe Courts (not reservable)

No Alcohol

Not Reservable          

           

Leucadia Parks 

 

Las Verdes Park

1390 Paseo De Las Verdes

Recreational Trail Head

Children’s Play Area

Picnic Facilities

No Restrooms

Beer & Wine Allowed

On-Street Parking

Not Reservable

 

Leucadia Oaks Park

1511 N Vulcan Ave

Children’s Play Area

Picnic Facilities

No Restrooms

On-Street Parking

Skate Feature (not reservable)

Basketball Court (not reservable)

Volleyball (not reservable)

Beer & Wine Allowed

Not Reservable

 

Leucadia Roadside Park

860 North Coast Hwy. 101

No Restrooms

No Alcohol

On-Street Parking

Not Reservable  

 

Hawk View Park

1309 Blue Heron Avenue

Children’s Play Area

Picnic Facilities 

No Restrooms

On Street Parking

Beer & Wine Allowed

Not Reservable

 

Olympus Park

701 Olympus Street

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Children’s Play Area

Picnic Facilities 

No Restrooms

On Street Parking

Dog Park 

Skate Feature and Pump Track (not reservable) 

Basketball Court/Pickleball Court (not reservable)

Beer & Wine Allowed (no glass containers)

Not Reservable

Olivenhain Parks

 

Little Oaks Equestrian Park

2879 Lone Jack Road

Recreational Trail Head

Picnic Facilities

No Restrooms

Equestrian Facilities

Parking

Beer & Wine Allowed

Not Reservable 

 

Wiro Park

2232 El Camino Del Norte

Recreational Trail Head

Children’s Play Area

Picnic Facilities

No Restrooms

On-Street Parking

Beer & Wine Allowed

Not Reservable

 

Sports Parks 

 

Cardiff Sports Park

1661 Lake Drive

Open 8am – 9pm

Parking Lot (includes ADA spaces)

Restrooms

No Alcohol

Softball/Baseball Fields (reservable)

Soccer/Multi-Purpose Fields (reservable)

 

 

Leo Mullen Sports Park

951 Via Cantebria

Open (8am – 9pm)

Recreational Trail Head

Parking Lot (includes ADA spaces)

Children’s Play Area

Picnic Facilities

Restrooms

Basketball Court (not reservable)

Beer and Wine Allowed

Baseball Field (reservable)

Synthetic Turf Soccer Field (reservable)

 

 

Paul Ecke Sports Park

278 Saxony Road

Open 8am – 11pm

Parking Lot (includes ADA spaces)

Restrooms

No Alcohol

Softball/Baseball Fields (reservable)

Soccer/Multi-Purpose Fields (reservable)