Encinitas

 

Encinitas is an eclectic and historic beach town famed for its world-class surf spots. Encinitas is located in the North County area of San Diego County, bounded by Batiquitos Lagoon and Carlsbad to the north and northeast, Rancho Santa Fe to the east, San Elijo Lagoon and Solana Beach to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The 92007 zip code covers the southernmost portion of Encinitas, much of which is comprised of the refined coastal neighborhood of Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Real estate within Encinitas’ 92007 zip code and the Cardiff neighborhood is a mix of stunning custom-builds and enticing single-family homes with magnificent views over the ocean.

• Gorgeous oceanfront setting 
• Laidback lifestyle 
• Beautiful homes
• Iconic surfing beaches
  
  

Developer J. Frank Cullen named the streets of Cardiff-by-the-Sea after famous European composers and British cities. The community offers a laid-back beachy lifestyle, with iconic surf spots and stunning views. A majority of the neighborhood’s 12,000 residents are long-term homeowners. Combined with gorgeous scenery and fantastic weather, Encinitas has the welcoming and friendly feel of a well-established community.

Reflecting Encinitas’ unique combination of historic sophistication and contemporary Californian cool, Pacific Coast Highway 101 offers a great selection of places to eat and drink down Main Street. Juanitas Taco Shop is a casual fast food spot serving delicious Mexican eats, while Le Papagayo, one of Encinitas’ most popular restaurants, fuses Mediterranean and Latin American cuisine in an upscale setting close to the beachfront. Diners at Le Papagayo can enjoy its signature paella or kalua pork in its art gallery-like interior or out on the patio, where live music plays every night.

Nearby Union Kitchen & Tap is a hip modern craft brewery that offers a rotating selection of beers on tap and sophisticated seasonal New American small plates. Located across the street from the famous Swami surf spot, historic and cool Hansen’s Surf Shop carries everything you need to tackle Encinitas’ famous surf breaks. Further inland, El Camino Real is lined with shopping malls, big-box retailers, and restaurants. Encinitas Ranch Town Center has more than 500,000-square-foot of retail space, with businesses including Pier 1 Imports, Target, and Barnes & Noble. Encinitas Ballet on El Camino Real is an exceptional classical ballet studio that stages high-quality performances and offers instructional programs for children and adults.

The southern tip of Moonlight State Beach is just north of 92007’s boundaries. Amenities along this popular sandy stretch include lifeguard towers, concession stands, beach volleyball courts, fire pits, and a playground. Moonlight Beach hosts lively events throughout the year. In late June or early July, the Switchfoot Bro-Am attracts up to 17,000 spectators for a free day-long surf competition, ending the night with a music festival. On the third Saturday of September, The Wavecrest Woodie Meet sees hundreds of wooden cars cruise along the beachfront. Festivities begin on the Thursday before the meet with a classic car cruise, before ending with a day of live music and contests on the beach.

San Elijo State Beach runs along 92007’s oceanfront. This dramatic bluff-backed beach is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, boogie-boarding, and skim-boarding. San Elijo Beach’s reef is a great spot for snorkeling and diving, while tide pools provide opportunities to discover marine life up-close. 

Other annual events held in this vibrant coastal city include a two-day Street Fair in April, which brings hundreds of arts, crafts, and food vendors plus four stages of live entertainment to Downtown Encinitas. On the last Sunday of September, Encinitas’ Oktoberfest features Bavarian dancers, carnival rides, hundreds of arts-and-crafts vendors, and a mouth-watering selection of German food and craft beers.

Local school districts include Cardiff Elementary and San Dieguito Union High.

• Cardiff Elementary School, Public, K-3
• Diegueno Middle School, Public, 7-8
• San Dieguito High School Academy, Public, 9-12
• The Rhoades School, Private, Nonsectarian, K-8
• Encinitas Country Day School, Private, Nonsectarian, K-8
• The Grauer School, Private, Nonsectarian, 7-12
• MiraCosta College, Higher Education
• California Institute for Human Science, Higher Education