Encinitas
A Coast Highway 101 day with breakfast, an old single-screen theater, quiet gardens, and beaches from Moonlight to Swami's.
Start here
24 in total
RestaurantsThe Best New Restaurants in San Diego: 10 Places to Know10
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: 10 Places to KnowUpdated 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 makes an easy Coast Highway 101 day. Start with breakfast at Encinitas Cafe or coffee at Lofty, then choose the free koi ponds at SRF Meditation Gardens or a beach stop at Moonlight. Swami's is the surf-and-reef option farther south.
For an evening, pair dinner at Herb & Sea with a film at La Paloma, the single-screen theater open since 1928. The COASTER station sits two blocks from the 101, but weekend parking fills by mid-morning; arriving by train or starting early keeps the plan simple.
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 State Beach in Encinitas is the pick when your group runs from toddlers to grandparents and nobody wants to haul half the garage to the sand.
Swami's State Beach in Encinitas is where tidepoolers and surfers share the same stretch of coast.
Herb & Sea is the Encinitas sibling to Herb & Wood, and it has its own $20 Happy Meal: a burger, oysters, frites and bubbles, Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 6 PM.
San Diego Botanic Garden has been growing in Encinitas since around 1971, and in 2026 it marks 55 years.