Encinitas is a lovely beach town along the Pacific Ocean just north of San Diego. There are other cute towns along the coast, but Encinitas is special, quite different from other beach towns in San Diego county because it is lost in time " locked in the 1960s. To feel the flavor of this little town, here are seven things you must do while visiting.
1. Where Else In California Can You Take A Walk In A Rainforest?
Lovely Quail Botanical Gardens is less than a mile from the Pacific Ocean with more than 32 acres full of endangered and extraordinary plants from all around the world. Tours and nature walks each day take visitors down the wonderfully scenic trails (with killer views of the ocean!), through totally unique tropical gardens, arid desert gardens, enormous bamboo groves, California native plant gardens, a rainforest with its own waterfall, Mediterranean gardens, tropical fruit gardens and a unique children's garden. At once beautiful and serene, Quail Gardens is a place to spend an entire day simply enjoying nature in all its splendor.
2. Yes, You CAN Learn To Surf
Kahuna Bobs Surf School has been a local legend for nearly 25 years. His distinctive and engaging teaching style puts brand new surfers at ease during his group or private instruction. In 2009, the City awarded Kahuna Bob with an exclusive surf-lesson license at the best beginner surfing beach in Encinitas, Beacons Beach, where the waves break perfectly for beginning surfers.
3. Become A Beach Boy (or Beach Girl)
World renown Swamis Beach was put on the map by the Beach Boys in 1963 when they sang about Surfin USA. Nearly fifty years later, Swamis draws the best surfers on the planet, making for exciting entertainment when watching them from above. An enormous staircase takes you down to the beach if you want to be closer, while picnic tables and benches up-top near the cliff edge give you an eagles view of phenomenal surfing feats.
4. Watch A Movie In An Authentic Movie House
Do you remember what the old-time movie theaters felt like? You can relive that experience by taking in a film at La Paloma Theatre. They offer a bit of everything from first-run movies to art movies (think Rocky Horror Picture Show) plus surfing and snowboarding film premieres. La Paloma was built in the 1920s and takes you back in time. Plus, the popcorn is to die for.
5. Meditate At An Authentic Temple
Swami Yogananda came to town in 1936 and built the Self-Realization Temple on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. His philosophy of love and introspection still attracts thousands of followers from around the world. The beautiful Self-Realization Fellowship grounds " lush gardens and Koi ponds " are open to the public each day. Here you can walk, meditate, breathe deeply and put life into perspective " the only sounds you might hear are singing birds and the pounding of the surf on the cliffs below.
6. The Best Beach To Work On Your Tan
If your visit is anywhere between June and November, Moonlight Beach is by far the most popular beach in North County San Diego to work on that tan. A five minute walk from downtown Encinitas, this State Park (free admission) is the perfect place to simply relax and soak up some sun, have a picnic with your sweetie, get in a game of pickup volleyball, test your surfing skills, try boogie-boarding or body surfing, read your favorite novel, watch people people-watch or simply have fun and take it easy. You will find lots of free parking, a cool life-guard station, a beach-gear rental concession, great showers and restrooms, a nice childrens playground, trendy snack and lunch shop and beach fire-rings to enjoy bonfires in the evening.
7. Relax In Your Private Hot Tub And Watch The Sun Set
The Inn at Moonlight Beach is a romantic Bed and Breakfast Inn overlooking the Pacific Ocean. No other B&B Inn is so close to the beach. The lovely rooms and suites remind you of a French-European Seaside Inn. The Penthouse Suite has a private balcony over-looking the Pacific Ocean with its own very private hot tub making for spectacular romantic sunsets.
1. Where Else In California Can You Take A Walk In A Rainforest?
Lovely Quail Botanical Gardens is less than a mile from the Pacific Ocean with more than 32 acres full of endangered and extraordinary plants from all around the world. Tours and nature walks each day take visitors down the wonderfully scenic trails (with killer views of the ocean!), through totally unique tropical gardens, arid desert gardens, enormous bamboo groves, California native plant gardens, a rainforest with its own waterfall, Mediterranean gardens, tropical fruit gardens and a unique children's garden. At once beautiful and serene, Quail Gardens is a place to spend an entire day simply enjoying nature in all its splendor.
2. Yes, You CAN Learn To Surf
Kahuna Bobs Surf School has been a local legend for nearly 25 years. His distinctive and engaging teaching style puts brand new surfers at ease during his group or private instruction. In 2009, the City awarded Kahuna Bob with an exclusive surf-lesson license at the best beginner surfing beach in Encinitas, Beacons Beach, where the waves break perfectly for beginning surfers.
3. Become A Beach Boy (or Beach Girl)
World renown Swamis Beach was put on the map by the Beach Boys in 1963 when they sang about Surfin USA. Nearly fifty years later, Swamis draws the best surfers on the planet, making for exciting entertainment when watching them from above. An enormous staircase takes you down to the beach if you want to be closer, while picnic tables and benches up-top near the cliff edge give you an eagles view of phenomenal surfing feats.
4. Watch A Movie In An Authentic Movie House
Do you remember what the old-time movie theaters felt like? You can relive that experience by taking in a film at La Paloma Theatre. They offer a bit of everything from first-run movies to art movies (think Rocky Horror Picture Show) plus surfing and snowboarding film premieres. La Paloma was built in the 1920s and takes you back in time. Plus, the popcorn is to die for.
5. Meditate At An Authentic Temple
Swami Yogananda came to town in 1936 and built the Self-Realization Temple on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. His philosophy of love and introspection still attracts thousands of followers from around the world. The beautiful Self-Realization Fellowship grounds " lush gardens and Koi ponds " are open to the public each day. Here you can walk, meditate, breathe deeply and put life into perspective " the only sounds you might hear are singing birds and the pounding of the surf on the cliffs below.
6. The Best Beach To Work On Your Tan
If your visit is anywhere between June and November, Moonlight Beach is by far the most popular beach in North County San Diego to work on that tan. A five minute walk from downtown Encinitas, this State Park (free admission) is the perfect place to simply relax and soak up some sun, have a picnic with your sweetie, get in a game of pickup volleyball, test your surfing skills, try boogie-boarding or body surfing, read your favorite novel, watch people people-watch or simply have fun and take it easy. You will find lots of free parking, a cool life-guard station, a beach-gear rental concession, great showers and restrooms, a nice childrens playground, trendy snack and lunch shop and beach fire-rings to enjoy bonfires in the evening.
7. Relax In Your Private Hot Tub And Watch The Sun Set
The Inn at Moonlight Beach is a romantic Bed and Breakfast Inn overlooking the Pacific Ocean. No other B&B Inn is so close to the beach. The lovely rooms and suites remind you of a French-European Seaside Inn. The Penthouse Suite has a private balcony over-looking the Pacific Ocean with its own very private hot tub making for spectacular romantic sunsets.
About the Author:
The author is the former president of a Carlsbad corporation who quit to follow his love of exploring the ocean to study seabirds and marine animals. Terry and Ann Dunham own the Inn At Moonlight Beach in Encinitas near Del Mar and San Diego. For more information visit: Solana Beach Bed and Breakfasts or Carlsbad B&B.
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