Recently named among the 20 best surf towns in the world by National Geographic, Encinitas wears its surf history proudly. Located along six miles of Pacific Ocean coastline, Encinitas is an unspoiled reminder of the historic Highway 101 beach culture that thrived in the mid-1900s.

The beaches in Encinitas are what makes this part of San Diego well-known. San Elijo State Beach and Campground is a popular place for people from all over to hit the beach and catch a few waves. Moonlight Beach is popular among locals from the surrounding area. And Swamis is a legendary surfing spot where some of the original SoCal surfing culture originated.

The community that has formed in Encinitas is also host to a variety of unique businesses and restaurants that cater to the ocean-going clientele of the area. There are many taco shops, coffee houses, brunch spots, and craft breweries popping up in the area that are keeping Encinitas the vibrant place that it is.



The city's eclectic downtown has long drawn surfers and hippies with its unique and dynamic blend of San Diego’s top surf shops, coffeehouses and record stores, not to mention the beaches in Encinitas are coveted by locals as hidden gems. Encinitas is alternately known as the "Flower Capital of the World," because of its extensive collection of unique nurseries and gardens, most extensive of which is the San Diego Botanic Garden, and the world's leading grower of the Christmas flower, the poinsettia.