Encinitas, California

1. Moonlight Beach

Moonlight Beach starts where Encinitas Boulevard turns into B Street, and is one of the most popular beaches in Encinitas, both among locals and tourists.

It is sandy and wide, great for kids and adults, and perfect for picnics, playing volleyballs, making sand castles, and much more. Moonlight Beach is an excellent swimming, snorkeling, and surfing beach, but it is also popular for surf fishing.

The area boasts tennis courts and kids’ playgrounds, a space to rent beach gear, and a nice snack bar.

The beach used to be very popular among locals for midnight picnics in the 1900s, which is how it became known as Moonlight Beach. You can still see people lighting bonfires and having late parties in the moonlight.

2. San Diego Botanic Garden

As you stroll along four miles of trails, the San Diego Botanic Garden will amaze you with the diversity of its environments and the stunning plants that adapted to them – you’ll see everything from arid deserts to a tropical jungle and bamboo groves. The plants thrive, and you will enjoy different vistas, numerous flowering trees, majestic palms, and the largest bamboo collection in the country. The San Diego Botanic Garden is one of the best things to do in Encinitas, California.

Garden plants are divided in many exhibits such as desert gardens, a tropical rainforest with a large waterfall, a succulent garden, a subtropical fruit garden and many others. One of the most popular is Hamilton Children’s Garden with three acres of playground space filled with plants kids can play with and tend, including Toni’s Tree House. The garden has more than 3000 species of plants.

230 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024, 760-436-3036

3. Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens

Whether you want to visit beautiful gardens on the cliffs overlooking the ocean, spend a few days at the Retreat, or simply browse at the Books & Gifts store, Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens is an interesting place to visit.

You can also take a walk to the SRF Temple in Encinitas, located just a few short blocks away from the Hermitage & Retreat Center. The temple is part of Self-Realization Fellowship, a non-profit spiritual organization founded in 1920 by Paramahansa Yogananda (author of Autobiography of a Yogi) to disseminate his teachings of Kriya Yoga, an ancient Indian spiritual science.

For those interested in the spiritual activities at the SRF Temple, there is a program of lectures, meditation, Sunday School, and a range of other services. Just below the SRF Hermitage and Meditation Gardens is the popular Swami's Beach, one of the favorites among surfers.

The SRF Hermitage, Retreat and Meditation Gardens are located at 215 W K St, Encinitas, CA 92024, 760-753-1811

The Encinitas Temple is located at 939 Second St., Encinitas, CA 92024, 760-436-7220

4. Swami's Beach

During the winter when the swells are particularly good, surfers often put on quite a show at Swami's Beach, one of the area’s most popular and most famous beaches. The best spot to watch them is from the park on the cliff above the beach.

This lovely park is the main entrance point for Swami Beach and has many benches in the shade, several picnic tables, and a well-tended shady lawn.

From the park, a long and steep wooden staircase leads down to the beach, which has a lifeguard station. If the tide is not high, you can walk along the beach to San Elijo State Beach. If you are wondering what to do in Encinitas with kids, this is a great place to visit.

A short walk north will take you to Highway 101 with the popular Swami’s Café and a few other restaurants.

5. San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve

The 1,000-acre San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve is one of the county's largest remaining coastal wetlands. Visitors can explore seven miles of trails hosting a diversity of plants and animals, including: 6 plant communities, 300 species of plants, 26 mammal species, at least 23 species of fish, and more than 300 bird species.

San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy naturalists offer guided weekend tours. County of San Diego Department of Parks & Recreation rangers operate the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, open daily, with exhibits about the cultural and natural features of the lagoon and its history. There are fun activities scheduled all the time, including Children’s Story Time, and nature-themed family days and festivals presented by the conservancy and the county – all educational and entertaining events for the entire family.

Encinitas, CA 92024, 760-436-3944

6. Cardiff State Beach

Cardiff State Beach is managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation and is popular for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing. There are many businesses where you can rent gear for surfing, kiteboarding, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Visitors will also find a lot of people beachcombing and looking for valuable and interesting things – equipment can be rented for those looking to join in.

Tide pools are located up and down the coast, and guided explorations are held throughout the year – more information can be found at the visitor center. Basic amenities such as lifeguards at intervals, bathrooms, and showers are available to all those looking for a fun day in the sun.

2504 S Coast Highway 101 Solana Beach, CA 92075

7. Leucadia Farmers Market

The Leucadia Farmers Market is a wonderful place to spend the day, and they are open every Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm. There are over 75 vendors at this certified market, which offers everything from fresh flowers and plants to meats and baked goods. Visitors will find specialty foods like beef, seafood, marinades, pastas, and sauces, etc.

A number of bakery vendors have stalls at the market with freshly baked muffins, cupcakes, cakes, and pies. The market has a large food court and covered dining area for those wanting to grab a meal. Children will have a wonderful time – there’s a playground where they can play, and balloon twisting and face painting are usually available. On certain days the market invites live bands to come and perform.

185 Union Street, Encinitas, CA 92024, 858-272-7054

8. The Institute of Contemporary Art

The Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego (formerly the Lux Art Institute) isn’t just a museum where you view spectacular art; guests are presented with an opportunity to make their experience one of learning, understanding, and beauty. See the artistic process firsthand and observe artists as they practice their art in the studio. Kids, teens, adults, educators – there’s something for everyone, including art classes, open studio, and special classes conducted by Lux Teachers.

Some unique programs the institute offers include yoga, community tours, and “luxcursions,” which include a tour through the artist’s studio, exhibition areas, and sculptural installations and native landscape of the Lux grounds. Visiting artists from around the world are invited to The Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego, and guests can partake in classes and events that take place throughout the year.

1550 S. El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024, 760-436-6611

9. San Dieguito Heritage Museum

The San Dieguito Heritage Museum was founded in 1988 to preserve the local history of the area. Historic artifacts, records, and stories of the San Dieguito River Area are on display in the museum. Visitors can relive the rich heritage by exploring local stories and photos from the past.

The hands-on experience offers more than just a tour of museum; it also includes discovering a Native American grass hut, viewing a grinding stone exhibit, listening to Native American stories, and sand painting activities. Interactive activities such as churning butter, building a homestead shanty, and bartering in the general store paint a clearer picture as to how the settlers lived, and they are fun for children and adults alike.

450 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024, 760-632-9711

10. Cal Pacific Orchid Farm

Family-owned and operated Cal Pacific Orchid Farm is a 36,000 sq. ft. greenhouse with hundreds of orchids from all over the world in various stages of bloom. Visitors are invited to enjoy the museum-like showroom, which also features gorgeous multi-plant orchid arrangements.

Visiting the farm can be a learning opportunity for the entire family – the friendly staff are all experts in orchid care and even offer repotting services and plant boarding for people who may not have the time to care for their plants. Visitors of the Cal Pacific Orchid Farm are sure to leave with a stunning bouquet or custom floral arrangement.

1122 Orpheus Ave., Encinitas, California 92024, 760-436-0317