My Experience Temporarily Living in Encinitas, San Diego, California
Living in Encinitas: What It’s Really Like
Encinitas is very special to me. Not only because my sweet friend Jen lives in Leucadia, but also because I spent late 2025 and early 2026 there near the beach. Although I was going through one of the most difficult times in my life, I felt very lucky spending time around this neighborhood.
Most of my days were spent either on the beach or running around the neighborhood. Leucadia was surprisingly beautiful – inside & out. Neighbors are warm, relax, kind, and open to have a short chitchat, which makes you feel “accepted” instantly. Oh don’t be surprised if you come across a table selling homemade bread or surfboards while walking around the neighborhood. Not mentioning the number of dog breeds I’ve seen…
Where to Walk, Swim and Surf in Encinitas
Enjoy a walk from Grandview Beach to Moonlight State Beach (not a walk on the beach). It’s about 2.1 miles and especially beautiful to do during sunset along Neptune Avenue. Whether I say it or not, if you take this walk, you’ll find quite a few people enjoying the sunset or watching the surfers at the Beacon’s. Check out the map I’ve put together above. Grandview Beach and Beacon’s are great spots to surf. You can easily find parking on most days either on Neptune Avenue or Grandview Beach’s parking area.
If you’d like to swim, read a book, or sunbathe with friends, stop by the StoneSteps Beach. It’s also a great spot to surf. I’ve spent quite a bit of time here meditating and swimming very early in the morning, when the water is cold, and only a few real swimmers are around.
At the very end of this walk, you will get to Moonlight Beach. If you need to grab something to eat, chill, and maybe play beach volleyball on a whim, you will find your crew at this spot. Plus, you can continue your walk if you want to. I love Prager Brothers Artisan Breads. Here, you will find lots of restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, and more. Oh make sure to swing by the Leucadia Farmers Market on Sundays — it’s a lovely place to enjoy local produce and good vibes!
I recall strolling through this area with my friend Dilyara when there was a farmers’ market (Not the one in Leucadia). If you are around this area, it’s easy to get to Swami’s Beach, which is one of the most well-known spots to surf. But also a great spot to take a walk along the Coastal Rail Trail (1.3 miles long), with a beautiful ocean view. Check out the map I’ve put together above. At the end of this walk, you will get to Magic Carpet Ride Sculpture.
