ENCINITAS

INTRODUCTION TO ENCINITAS

Encinitas is situated along the Pacific Coast, offering stunning ocean views, beautiful beaches, a strong surf culture and laid-back atmosphere. The city is well known for it's picturesque coastline, including popular beaches like Moonlight Beach and Swami's Beach. It's made up of several distinct communities, each with its own character: Old Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Leucadia, Village Park and Olivenhain. These cities were originally separate little towns that were incorporated in 1986 to form Encinitas, which currently has a population of 60,841. Each community has a unique contribution to the city, making it one of the most interesting places in Southern California to work, live and enjoy the outdoors!

 

Old Encinitas is the historical downtown area, centered around highway 101 (coast highway). It's known for its walkability and long list of restaurants, cafes, bars and the famous La Paloma Theater. There is a strong beach culture here. 

Cardiff-by-the-Sea, the southernmost part of Encinitas, is known for its stunning coastal bluffs and laid-back vibe. It has a strong surf community and the 2 beautiful beaches that are Cardiff State Beach and Seaside Reef.

Leucadia is just north of Old Encinitas and is more bohemian and relaxed than Encinitas or Cardiff. Art galleries, surf shops and health food stores are the mainstay.

Village Park is a planned community just east of the I5, is more suburban and family friendly and has quite a lot of parks and green spaces. There are mostly single family homes here and are more affordable that coastal areas.

Olivenhain is an inland community known for its equestrian properties and rural character. It is more spread out with larger lots and has more of a country feel to it. Horse properties are common here.

 

Key Features:

La Paloma Theater

Moonlight Beach

Cardiff State Beach

Seaside Reef

Beacon's Beach

Swami's Beach

Botiquitos Lagoon

San Elijo Lagoon

The Flower Gardens

San Diego Botanical Gardens

La Paloma Theater

Encinitas Ranch Golf Course

Rail Trail

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LIVING IN ENCINITAS

WHAT TO DO

The city of Encinitas offers local residents the perfect mix of big-city nightlife and quiet suburban comfort, as well as a beach-town vibe. You can spend a day at the beach or choose from an amazing array of restaurants to grab a bite to eat at or go shopping at a fun lineup of local boutiques. There is also an abundance of outdoor activities you could pursue including surfing, hiking, cycling and beach sports. Botiquitos Lagoon and San Elijo Lagoon offer scenic hiking trails and bird watching opportunities.

Or, head over to the Botanical Gardens and meander along the 4 miles of trails and ocean views on the 37 acre property. Study the 5000+ plan species and varieties and 29 unique themed gardens that represent 15 different regions and many habitats of the world. Encinitas is also home to several cultural events and festivals, including the Encinitas Holiday Parade, The Encinitas Art Walk and the Swami's 5K. It also has a strong yoga community, and the city's annual Yoga Festival attracts thousands of visitors.  

 

SCHOOLS

Encinitas, California, offers a diverse range of educational institutions, including public and private schools, as well as higher education facilities. Here's an overview of the schools in the area:

Capri Elementary School K-6

El Camino Creek Elementary K-6

Flora Vista Elementary School K-6

La Costa Heights Elementary School K-6

Mission Estancia Elementary School K-6

Ocean Knoll Elementary School K-6

Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School K-6

Park Dale Lane Elementary School K-6

Paul Ecke Central Elementary School K-6

Pacific Trails Middle School 7th-8th

Diegueño Middle School 7th-8th

Oak Crest Middle School 7th-8th

Earl Warren Middle School 7th-8th

Carmel Valley Middle School 7th-8th

Canyon Crest Academy 9th-12th

San Dieguito High School Academy 9th-12th

La Costa Canyon High School 9th-12th

Torrey Pines High School 9th-12th

Sunset High School (Alternative High School) 9th-12th

Private Schools

The Grauer School: An independent, college preparatory day school serving middle and high school students.

Encinitas Country Day School: A private institution offering elementary and middle school education.

The Rhoades School: A private school providing education from preschool through middle school.

Saint John The Evangelist School: A private Catholic school offering elementary education. 

Sanderling Waldorf School: A private school based on Waldorf education principles, serving early childhood through middle school students. 

Higher Education

MiraCosta College, San Elijo Campus: A community college offering various associate degree programs and continuing education opportunities. 

California Institute for Human Science: An institution focusing on integrative studies in the fields of psychology and health sciences. 

For more information, check out the Encinitas Union School District page.

LOCAL DINING

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Roxy Encinitas

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Swami's Cafe

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The Taco Stand

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Leucadia Pizza

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GoodOnYa

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The Crack Shack

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Union Kitchen and Tap

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Sushi Ota

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Nino's Italian Restaurant

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