Encinitas
Surf-town main street; five beaches and a gold-domed garden.
Start here
24 in total
RestaurantsThe Best New Restaurants in San Diego Right Now10
Pizza, Burgers & SandwichesThe 12 Best Burgers in San Diego, Ranked12
Bars & NightlifeThe 14 Best Happy Hours in San Diego, Ranked14
Things to DoThe 9 Best Spas in San Diego9
Sushi & JapaneseThe 12 Best Sushi Restaurants in San Diego, Ranked12
BeachesWhich San Diego Beach Is Right for You?12
Every list that covers Encinitas
Updated as places change- 10 current entriesRestaurantsThe Best New Restaurants in San Diego Right NowUpdated Aug 2
- 12 rankedPizza, Burgers & SandwichesThe 12 Best Burgers in San Diego, RankedUpdated Aug 2
- 14 rankedBars & NightlifeThe 14 Best Happy Hours in San Diego, RankedUpdated Aug 2
- 9 rankedThings to DoThe 9 Best Spas in San DiegoUpdated Aug 2
- 12 rankedSushi & JapaneseThe 12 Best Sushi Restaurants in San Diego, RankedUpdated Aug 2
- 12 optionsBeachesWhich San Diego Beach Is Right for You?Updated Aug 2
12 rankedBreakfast, Bakeries & SweetsThe 12 Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 31
9 rankedOutdoors & ViewsThe 9 Best Gardens in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 31
9 rankedBeachesThe 9 Best Family Beaches in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 30
12 rankedPizza, Burgers & SandwichesThe 12 Best Sandwiches in San DiegoUpdated Jul 30
12 rankedRestaurantsThe 12 Essential San Diego Dishes, RankedUpdated Jul 30
15 optionsTrip PlanningSan Diego Memberships and Annual Passes That Actually Pay OffUpdated Jul 30- 10 rankedBeachesThe 10 Best Beaches in San Diego County, RankedUpdated Jul 27
8 rankedBeachesThe 8 San Diego Beaches With the Easiest Parking, RankedUpdated Jul 27
11 rankedBreakfast, Bakeries & SweetsThe 11 Best Bagels in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 27
8 rankedOutdoors & ViewsThe 8 Best Campgrounds in San Diego County, RankedUpdated Jul 27
10 rankedCheap EatsThe 10 Best Cheap Eats in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 27
8 rankedOutdoors & ViewsThe 8 Best Sunset Spots in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 27
7 rankedBeachesThe 7 Best Tide Pools in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 27
15 rankedThings to DoThe 15 Best Things to Do in San Diego with KidsUpdated Jul 27
12 rankedOutdoors & ViewsThe 12 Best Dog-Friendly Places in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 24
10 rankedMexicanThe 10 Best Breakfast Burritos in San DiegoUpdated Jul 19
8 rankedMexicanThe 8 Best California Burritos in San DiegoUpdated Jul 19
12 rankedBreakfast, Bakeries & SweetsThe 12 Best Ice Cream Shops in San Diego, RankedUpdated Jul 19
The neighborhood itself
26 verified places · 12 eat & drink and 12 things-to-do listsEncinitas is the North County surf town that still acts like one — a mile of Coast Highway 101 running past a single-screen theater from 1928, a Cardiff donut case worth the Sunday line, and the gold lotus domes of a meditation garden with the best free ocean view in the county. Park once, walk the 101, and end at the Swami’s overlook — the tide chart runs this town.
If you only do 5 things
1Moonlight Beachswim2La Palomashows3SRF Gardensquiet4Swami’ssurf5VG DonutmorningKnow before you go
Transit: Coaster to Encinitas station — the 101 is a two-block walk
Parking: 101 street spots go by mid-morning on weekends; Moonlight lot opens 5am
Marine layer: May–July mornings are gray until noon — plan beach afternoons
Where they are — 26 verified places
The index
Ranked places pulled from all 24 listsMoonlight is the glorious overachiever when your group wants a beach day with almost everything handled.
You come down a long flight of stairs off the bluff, and on a bright day the reef is visible under the water before you reach it.
Finish a beach afternoon with a dinner that has already made the hard decisions.
The walk is the point. 37 acres in Encinitas move you out of one plant region and into the next, and the children's garden buys the adults another hour on top of that.