What is it really like living in Encinitas: first hand experience
Is Encinitas A Good Place To Live?
I’ve spent about 4 months in Encinitas, Leucadia, near Neptune Avenue. I wasn’t expecting my experience to be this enjoyable. Encinitas has become one of my favorite areas in San Diego. Plus, it’s only about 25 min from the La Jolla/Pacific Beach area.
Encinitas is very special to me. Although I was going through one of the most difficult times in my life, I felt very lucky spending time around this neighborhood. It’s a neighborhood, a good one – I never felt this kind of neighborhood feels in La Jolla or La Jolla Village area. 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… Leucadia was surprisingly beautiful – inside & out.
Things to do in encinitas: Best Beaches for surf, scenic running routes, and more
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 so 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.
Beacon’s is a preferred spot for surf in Encinitas with a mix of all levels of surfers – beginners, intermediate or advanced. Check out the map I’ve put together above. You can easily find parking on most days either on Neptune Avenue or Grandview Beach’s parking area. Grandview is also a well-known spot for surfers – intermediate or advanced.
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 for beginners or intermediate surfers. 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.
Oh make sure to swing by the Leucadia Farmers Market on Sundays — it’s a nice place to enjoy local produce and good vibes! It’s always a bit of a pain to find a parking spot here tho.
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 Swami’s Beach if you want to.
I love stopping by the Prager Brothers Artisan Breads. Around this area – check out the map above, you will find lots of restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, and more.
I recall strolling through this area with my friend Dilyara during the Encinitas Street Fair. 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.
Final thoughts here: Encinitas is more affordable than living or staying at a hotel in Del Mar or La Jolla while still offering the same kind of a coastal living experience. You can easily find affordable motels in Encinitas, Leucadia area near the beach and experience the coastal living.
