 Photo
by: Joy Boe |
Encinitas in a Nutshell
Article written by Kristel
Boe
Approximately four miles in length, the best way to explore
the beauty of Encinitas is by foot. Even at the slow pace of
a bicycle, you are sure to miss some hidden gem that makes this
community so treasured.
Presently a sought after neighborhood to live in, Encinitas
was once the stomping ground of tie-die tribes and long haired
surfers. Though the community has since cleaned up, the surfers
have stayed put! The weather is ideal, the surf is epic, and
the people are friendly. Encinitas, in the heart of North County,
is a beautiful district along historic Highway 101.
Each block of its downtown division is beautifully landscaped
and meticulously maintained. Unknown to many, Encinitas is known
as the flower capital of the world, and just as each flower
is unique in its own way, Encinitas flourishes as the wild flower
of the coast.
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Encinitas
Restaurants & Best Places for Breakfast, Lunch &
Dinner |
Best
Places for Breakfast
With Pancakes the size of dinner plates, the Potato
Shack truly believes that breakfast is the most important
meal of the day. Opening at 9am daily, the modest Potato Shack
is known for having a line of hungry regulars on any given day,
so what is their secret? Featuring such breakfast favorites
as omelets, French toast, and biscuits and gravy; the shack
serves much more than spuds. The shack, helping cure hunger
since the 70’s, did indeed get its name from its delectable
potato’s, and these aren’t your run of the mill
fries. The sliced red potato’s are sautéed (not
deep fried) in cholesterol free canola oil and for an additional
buck are topped with savory sides such as cheese (all types),
Bell Peppers, Onions, Tomatoes, Sour Cream, Jalapenos, Real
Bacon Bits, and Sausage Gravy. It makes for a mouth watering
combination. Locals suggest trying the homemade salsa with the
fries or going for the works, all 18 toppings! Hats off to a
breakfast joint that appreciates the art of finger foods! Blink
and you’ll miss it; the Shack is located on a side street
from the 101. It offers outside seating and very little indoors.
Come early to get prime seating but prepared for a crowd.
Potato Shack
Where: 120 W I St
Website: www.potatoshackcafe.com
Phone: 760-436-1282
Best
Places for Lunch
The waters that make up the famous Swami’s surf spot can
be brutal. Whether you are a seasoned surfer, a swimmer or simply
wading in the waves, being in the water can work up quite an
appetite. Welcome to Swami’s Café.
It is the savior for those working the water below. Located
on the east side of the 101, the weathered shack offers healthy
whole foods and delicious dishes. Their menu mostly consists
of burritos, wraps, smoothies and breakfast items. The portions
are generous, but since the food is organic, you aren’t
left feeling anchored. Much of the menu offers vegetarian, even
vegan selections or options. Tasty meat sandwiches can easily
be substituted with mock turkey, tofu and soy cheese.
The wraps are scrumptious, and are served with chips and salsa
on the side. A must have is Swami’s famous Mole sauce
(an avocado base) which can be added to any meal for an additional
dollar. The smoothies are great for an afternoon snack when
you need a fast boost or maybe just calm a sweet tooth. Made
with either ice cream or frozen yogurt (if you’re watching
your weight) they have great flavor and tasty ingredients.
Swami’s is open Monday-Friday, offers great outdoor seating
and a few tables indoors. It embodies the surf style essence
of the area and is conveniently located near shops and beaches.
Swami's Cafe
Where: 1163 S Coast Highway 101
Phone: 760-944-0035
Best
Places for Dinner
If you are looking for traditional Italian food with a twist,
Leucadia
Pizzeria is right up your alley. Having 4 locations
in San Diego County, the best (in my opinion) calls Encinitas
home. Located in the Moonlight Plaza on the 101, the outdoor
section has a beautiful view of Moonlight beach and can be a
romantic setting at sunset. The atmosphere is casual but doesn’t
attract beach riff raff. Because the menu consist of such a
variety, it is great for large parties and picky eaters. Their
pizza alone is sure to please just about everyone with varieties
such as Pesto Pizza, meat lovers, Veggie Pizza and traditional
combos like pepperoni and sausage. Like we said, it is Italian
with a twist, and the twist comes from creative menu items like
Cajun Pasta, Seafood Pizza and oriental chicken salad. So it
might not be the usual Italian joint, but nothing is usual in
Encinitas. The location is far from Venice, the staff is mostly
young locals and the atmosphere is casual and contemporary.
We are willing to bet the food will make you say Mama Mia in
delight!
Leucadia Pizzeria
Where: 315 S Coast Highway 101
Website: www.leucadiapizza.com
Phone: 760-942-2222
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Encinitas
Nightlife & Best Places to Drink and Hang Out! |
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Encinitas
is an eclectic mix of flip flopped-free spirited-surfers and
well-to-do established suburbanites. Although the two might
share the same sand, when it comes to nightlife, the differences
are clear. Of course, as the saying goes, whatever floats your
boat, and thank goodness Encinitas has a few watering holes
to choose from.
Best Place for a glass of wine: Gaffney’s Wine
Bar
Though small (limited to 40 people) if you’re a wine and/or
food connoisseur this is your spot! With local “guest”
chefs invited to the restaurant to prepare dishes and wines
selected to compliment the dinner, the combination itself is
quite posh. Though the concept behind the restaurant is high
class, the ambience is informal. The cost of an evening is affordable
and the experience is priceless.
Gaffney's Wine Bar
Where: 897 S Coast Highway 101
Website: www.gaffneyswinebar.com
Phone: 760-633-1011
Best Drink Variety: First Street Bar
Looking for the biggest bang for your buck? This hangout offers
great beer and spirit selections without breaking the bank.
With 13 beers on draft, 30 varieties in bottles, and a full
selection of distilled spirits, most of which you may have never
even heard of, it’s the Mecca of alcoholic beverages….well
that might be a stretch. But, operating without ever charging
a cover and housing 25 cent pool tables is definitely praise
worthy. The bar is charged with locals and has no dress code.
1st Street Bar
Where: 656 S Coast Highway 101
Phone: 760-944-0233
Best Place to Pony Up: Daley Double
Looking for a cowboy saloon on the beach? Yes, the concept sounds
ridiculous but the Double pulls it off with flying boot slapping
colors! This trendy dive has been operating since the 50’s
and continues to stay true to its Wild West roots. Said to be
North County's best neighborhood dive bar, it is a dark watering
hole full of spirit…and spirits. Most cocktails are under
$3, which keeps patrons coming back time and time again. Though
western themed, don’t be fooled, this isn’t a country
bar. The doors are open to anyone with a valid ID and an open
mind.
Daley Double Cocktail Lounge
Where:546 S Coast Highway 101
Phone: 760-753-1366
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Encinitas
Attractions & Hot Spots! |
La
Paloma Theatre
La
Paloma Theatre is a big part of the Encinitas community and
has an interesting history. Being one of the first theatres
in the world to show features with sound, La Paloma has been
operating successfully since the late 1920’s. Currently,
the facility hosts many community and City functions throughout
the year. The Paloma is also often used for surf and skate video
premiers and shows unique independent films throughout the year.
La Paloma Theatre
Where: 471 S Coast Highway 101
Website: www.lapalomatheatre.com
Phone: 760-436-7469
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Self-Realization
Center
This striking bluff top fortress is impossible to miss. With
gold tower tops and a Middle Eastern architecture style, it
is a captivating sight against the sea and skyline. Established
in the 1930’s, it has been a great conversation piece
for Encinitas ever sense. The public is welcomed to the gardens
and Self-Realization Temple for meditation, prayer, lectures
services, or simply to poke around…like I did! The facility
is beautiful, and the Meditation Garden is a tranquil side step
from the bustling Highway 101. Be sure to bring your camera,
there are plenty of photo ops within the walls. Just remember,
this is a spiritual facility so mind your p’s and q’s!
Self-Realization Fellowship
Where: 215 W K St
Phone: 760-753-1811
 Photo
by: Joy Boe |
Encinitas
Boat Houses
Two boat shaped apartments plopped right in the middle of a
normal city street are definitely worth a two-block side trip
off Highway 101. Fittingly named S.S. Moonlight and S.S. Encinitas,
the structures have withstood much admiration since the 1920’s.
Assembled from scrap by Miles Kellogg, the living artwork on
Third Street between K and G streets still serve as apartments.
Please be respectful of tenants if you chose to take a photo
or two, you can get a great view from the street and exploring
any closer isn’t necessary.
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Lou's
Records
A member of the coalition of independent music stores, Lou’s
is more than just a retail stockpile. Lou’s, with its
buy-sell-trade way of business, has all the music you want,
always at a discount. Why, you wonder, is this an Encinitas
attraction? Well, mainly because it is a staple for the Encinitas
community. As mentioned before, it is more than just a record
store. Their vast selection of music appeals to everyone. They
have jazz, punk, reggae, polka, emo, and all the underground
or subdivisions of any genre. In the back of the store they
even have crates of vinyl for the seasoned customer. Housing
a store for music and a sister store for video, hours can be
lost exploring the mausoleum of music at Lou’s.
Lou's Records
Where: 434 N Coast Highway 101
Website: www.lousrecords.com
Phone: 760-753-1382
Quail
Botanical Gardens
Dedicated to the preservation of unusual and rare flora from
across the globe, these gardens are the only botanical gardens
in San Diego. The gardens make for a lovely afternoon attraction
offering tours, nature walks, lectures and beautiful sights
and sounds.
Quail Botanical Gardens
Where: 230 Quail Gardens Drive
Website: www.qbgardens.com
Phone: 760-436-3036
Tickets: Purchase
Discount Tickets
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Encinitas
Shopping & Recreations |
 Photo
by: Joy Boe |
Encinitas
Downtown Shopping
Love to shop? The Encinitas downtown area boasts a wide array
of boutiques from antique shops, art galleries and unique clothing
stores. The selection is so vast, it is seemingly impossible
to narrow down the selection. A stroll down the 101 will give
you plenty of options.
Encinitas Beach Fun & Recreation
The Encinitas coastline sprawls for miles, each having its own
unique appeal, there is truly a beach place for everyone. Some
are city beaches while others are state beaches where camping
is allowed and tide pools are found. Whether it is surfing,
scuba diving, sunning, hiking or just basking in the sunshine,
it is all here. Some noteworthy beaches include Swami’s,
forever immortalized in the Beach Boys song Surfin USA, as well
as Moonlight state beach and Beacon’s, yet another favorite
for surf enthusiasts.
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