What is it really like living in Encinitas: first hand experience
Summary
A look back at 4 months spent in Encinitas: sharing everything I’ve learned and experienced – Encinitas surf spots, Leucadia Farmers Market, places to stay in Encinitas and more.
Table of Contents
Is Encinitas a Good Place to Live?
I lived in Encinitas, Leucadia near Neptune Avenue for approximately four months. Leucadia 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, especially Leucadia means a lot to me now. 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 got this kind of neighborhood feel in La Jolla or La Jolla Village area. Neighbors are warm, relaxed, kind, and open to a quick chat, 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 to mention 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
Just 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, Leucadia with a mix of all levels of surfers – beginners, intermediate or advanced. Check out the map I’ve put together above – I’ve tagged the best surf spots in Encinitas Leucadia on this map. You can also easily find parking on most days either on Neptune Avenue or Grandview Beach’s parking area. Grandview Beach in Leucadia is also a well-known spot for surfers – intermediate or advanced. You can easily jump from one beach to another – Beacon’s to Grandview in about 5-10 minutes.
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 live music! Just an FYI – it’s always a bit of a pain to find a parking spot here.At the very end of this walk on Neptune Avenue, you will get to the Moonlight State 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 to Swami’s Beach if you want to.I love stopping by the Prager Brothers Artisan Breads – see the picture below. Around this area – check out the map above, you will find lots lots lots of restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, and more. If you’ve got some time to kill around this area, La Paloma Theatre is also a must-see in Encinitas.
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.
Places to Stay in Encinitas, San Diego, California
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.
My favorite Motel to stay in Leucadia near the beach is Rodeway Inn Encinitas North. It’s affordable, renovated in 2026, plus it is super close to the beach and surf spots I’ve mentioned above.
If you’re thinking about exploring the nearby areas in San Diego, check out my blog post “What It’s Like Living In La Jolla, San Diego, California” for some helpful tips and ideas.
