CBN San Diego

Encinitas is located in North San Diego County which is the southernmost county in the Western United States.  Encinitas has six miles of rugged coastline and 21.5 square miles of land which provides ocean views and a great surfing culture from San Elijo Lagoon on the southern end to Batiquitos Lagoon to the north.

Some of the infamous surfing beaches are Grandview, Leucadia, D Street and Moonlight Beach which can be found by the beautiful carved wooden signs.  Each beach has its own personality and community feel as surfers claim their spot through their passion for the beach and surf.

Encinitas was named by Gaspar de Portola in 1769 while leading an expedition.  He named it from Encina Canada, Spanish for "hills of live oaks."  The Spanish Governor of Baja California hoped to create a stronghold in California until the 1800's when Mexico laid claim on the land.  Mexican reign was short lived and California became a state of the United States in 1850.

When the communities of Leucadia, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Olivenhain and old and new Encinitas incorporated together as the City of Encinitas in 1986, their identity and character was saved through the union of the four areas.

Apart from the other communities mentioned, even Encinitas appears to contain separate entities unto itself.  There's an established district with beaches and shady, tree-lined streets located on Historic 101.  Flags with pink butterflies welcome guests and give the impression of a happy, old-fashioned place.  Businesses such as Encinitas Surfboards have strived throughout the years spreading their craft since 1975.  With an average annual temperature of 72 degrees and sunshine nearly every day, life is great, no matter what you do in Encinitas.

Swami's the place to be if you'd like waves and world class surfing.  It is located at the southern end of Encinitas.  If you want to soak up rays, The Boneyard at 4th and D Streets is the spot to do that.  Activities for visitors include eating, shopping, sunbathing, surfing, swimming, museums and galleries, meditation and enlightenment and flower power.  The area was once recognized as the flower capital of the world, and is the spot where the renowned Ecke poinsettia was introduced in 1923.  

The public is welcome to drop by one of the commercial nurseries and purchase a traditional poinsettia.  Poinsettias grow rapidly in southern California and the innocent holiday bouquet planted in a yard can unexpectedly take off blooming into a tree.  The Quail Botanical Garden claims it has the largest bamboo collection in the US and is considered one of the best gardens in San Diego County.

The special attractions for the area: Nurseries, Friday Farmers' Market in Old Encinitas, in April there is the Encinitas Street Fair celebrating the arrival of Spring, in July and August the Sunday concerts at Moonlight Beach, in August the Encinitas Soccer Cup, in the Fall The Rob Machado Surf Classic & Cardiff Beach Fair, in September there is the Encinitas Day featuring a 5K/1 mile run/walk and live entertainment, in October, Oktoberfest is celebrated with Olivenhain and Encinitas German heritage, and in early December you have the Fall flower tours.