Encinitas
This place called Encinitas sits on the coastline of the Pacific Ocean and is embraced by the Batquitos Lagoon to the north and the San Elijo Lagoon to the south. The City of Encinitas was founded over 100 years ago and is now made up of five communities that take pride in their own district personalities.
"Historic Encinitas" fills the Highway 101 Corridor that parallels the beautiful beaches and ocean. "New Encinitas" centers on El Camino Real (The Kings Highway founded by the early missionaries from Spain). El Camino Real offers extensive retail stores, restaurants, movie theatre, and eclectic shopping centers. "Cardiff-by-the-Sea" is made up of quaint homes and restaurants dotting the hillsides overlooking the sea. "Leucadia" is famous for its giant eucalyptus trees that line the main thoroughfare on the Coast Highway. "Olivenhain" (which means "olive grove" in German) boasts plenty of open horse country, pastures, and a rural way of life.
With no less than 11 beaches, each having its own unique appeal, there is truly a beach place for everyone in Encinitas. Some are city beaches while others are state beaches where camping is allowed and tide pools are found. Whether it is surfing, scuba diving, sunning, hiking or just basking in the serenity of a secluded beach, it is all here.
For the fitness enthusiast who thrives on challenge, try Stonesteps Beach. The killer stairs leading down from the bluffs are sure to surpass your expectations. For the surfer there is Beacon's Beach, Moonlight Beach, and Swami's Beach, which were forever immortalized in the Beach Boys Surfin' USA. These beaches are a surfer's heaven! Great scuba diving is just offshore from Swami's at the Encinitas Marine Life Refuge, North County's only underwater park. Moonlight Beach could be labeled the beach with everything because it has all the typical amenities including lifeguard towers, play areas, restrooms, telephones, and a snack bar.
For more information, visit http://www.encinitaschamber.com.
