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?
When you visit Quail Botanical Gardens, you can feel like youre thousands of miles away from California. Nearly thirty-five acres are dedicated to unique and rare plants from all around the world. Nature walks take you through hidden gardens, exotic bamboo groves, a tropical rainforest, Mediterranean climate landscapes and a cool children's garden. Its all lovely and peaceful here " a place to find butterflies, birds and even bunny rabbits hopping around. Quail Gardens is a place that everyone will enjoy.
2. Learn To Surf
Famous Kahuna Bobs Surfing School has been training SoCal surfers for nearly 23 years. He taught me to surf in 1999. His entertaining and totally unique teaching methods put you right at ease when you are learning " and its a load of fun. The Kahuna is so good that the City awarded him the only surf-lesson license at the best beginner surfing beach in all of Encinitas (Beacons Beach) where waves almost always break perfectly for beginners and experts alike.
3. Why Not Become A Beach Boy (or 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 have fond memories of the real old-time movie theaters? If so, get down to La Paloma Theatre built in the 1920s, where you can see first-run movies, eccentric art movies, and the premieres of many surfing and snowboarding movies. La Paloma is known around San Diego as THE movie house to partake in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. La Paloma was the first theatre to show "Talkies" back in the twenties.
5. Meditate At A Temple
Swami Yoganandas philosophy of love and introspection has attracted tens of thousands of worshipers and followers from all around the world ever since he came to Encinitas in 1936 and built the Self-Realization Temple on a cliff overlooking the ocean. The serene and gorgeous grounds with lush gardens and quiet Koi ponds are open free-of-charge to you every day where you can breathe deeply, relax and meditate to the sound of the pounding surf far below.
6. Really 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
Ann Dunham is the hostess at the Inn at Moonlight Beach, a very romantic inn Sunsets are perfect at Anns inn overlooking both the Pacific Ocean and the quaint beach town. Previous guest have called it a magical place of sand, sea, sun and surf and many anniversaries and honeymoons have taken place here. Be sure to ask Ann about the Penthouse Suite.
1. Where Else In California Can You Take A Walk In A Rainforest?
When you visit Quail Botanical Gardens, you can feel like youre thousands of miles away from California. Nearly thirty-five acres are dedicated to unique and rare plants from all around the world. Nature walks take you through hidden gardens, exotic bamboo groves, a tropical rainforest, Mediterranean climate landscapes and a cool children's garden. Its all lovely and peaceful here " a place to find butterflies, birds and even bunny rabbits hopping around. Quail Gardens is a place that everyone will enjoy.
2. Learn To Surf
Famous Kahuna Bobs Surfing School has been training SoCal surfers for nearly 23 years. He taught me to surf in 1999. His entertaining and totally unique teaching methods put you right at ease when you are learning " and its a load of fun. The Kahuna is so good that the City awarded him the only surf-lesson license at the best beginner surfing beach in all of Encinitas (Beacons Beach) where waves almost always break perfectly for beginners and experts alike.
3. Why Not Become A Beach Boy (or 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 have fond memories of the real old-time movie theaters? If so, get down to La Paloma Theatre built in the 1920s, where you can see first-run movies, eccentric art movies, and the premieres of many surfing and snowboarding movies. La Paloma is known around San Diego as THE movie house to partake in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. La Paloma was the first theatre to show "Talkies" back in the twenties.
5. Meditate At A Temple
Swami Yoganandas philosophy of love and introspection has attracted tens of thousands of worshipers and followers from all around the world ever since he came to Encinitas in 1936 and built the Self-Realization Temple on a cliff overlooking the ocean. The serene and gorgeous grounds with lush gardens and quiet Koi ponds are open free-of-charge to you every day where you can breathe deeply, relax and meditate to the sound of the pounding surf far below.
6. Really 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
Ann Dunham is the hostess at the Inn at Moonlight Beach, a very romantic inn Sunsets are perfect at Anns inn overlooking both the Pacific Ocean and the quaint beach town. Previous guest have called it a magical place of sand, sea, sun and surf and many anniversaries and honeymoons have taken place here. Be sure to ask Ann about the Penthouse Suite.
About the Author:
The author is the former president of a Carlsbad corporation who quit to follow his love of exploring the ocean and whales. Hunefeld and his wife 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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