Encinitas

Encinitas is a coastal city in San Diego County, California, extending about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of San Diego between the Pacific Ocean and gentle hills. The city consists of several neighborhoods with beaches like Moonlight Beach, houses on the bluffs, and a historic downtown with low buildings along the coastal highway.

The area was originally inhabited by the Kumeyaay people before the Mexican government granted the land to Andrés Ybarra as Rancho Las Encinitas in 1842. The town developed after the railroad arrived in the 1880s and was officially incorporated in 1986.

The name comes from the Spanish word for small oaks that once grew along the coast and gave shade to early settlers. Today the city is known as a surfing destination where people from the region spend weekends and local cafés reflect the beach culture of southern California.

Most visitors arrive by car and park along main streets or in public lots near the beaches. Access to the beaches often involves stairs or ramps descending from the bluffs, with some sections that may be difficult for wheelchairs.

The city is home to several yoga studios and meditation centers, including gardens with koi ponds on the cliffs that have attracted visitors since the 1920s. A historic cinema from 1928 still shows films in the original hall with preserved interior.

Location: San Diego County

Inception: 1986

Elevation above the sea: 25 m

Website: https://encinitasca.gov

GPS coordinates: 33.04444,-117.27167

Latest update: December 15, 2025 07:47