This coast North County city (pop: 58,000) is famous for exciting beaches, lagoons and flower gardens.

Incorporated in 1986 from the communities of historic Encinitas, Leucadia, Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Olivenhain. The largest single industry is the growing of ornamental flowers, particularly poinsettias.

Quail Botanical Gardens
The only botanical garden in San Diego County, this park has one of the world's most diverse plant collections. Scenic trails take visitors to 20 unique gardens, a 60 foot waterfall in a tropical rain forest and North America's largest display of bamboo. Surrounding chaparral area serves as a natural bird refuge. San Diego visitors and residents are invited to experience this spectacular collection of flora. Tours, nature walks, lectures, landscape advice and instructional programs are offered.

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Flower Capital of the World - Encinitas CA
Encinitas is famous as the "Flower Capital of the World" and is home to an extensive collection of fine nurseries and gardens. Several of these wholesalers and retailers will ship fresh cut flowers to any destination in the world. This industry started with the poinsettias of Paul Ecke Ranch and has since grown to include many horticulture greenhouse operations.

San Dieguito Heritage Museum - Encinitas CA
Founded in 1988, this museum collects, preserves and interprets the local history of the San Dieguito river area. Exhibits cover the communities of Leucadia, Encinitas, Olivenhain, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, and Rancho Santa Fe.
Encinitas Preservation Foundation
Encinitas Historical Society

Lux Art Institute - Encinitas CA
1550 So El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024; 760-436-6611; Gallery Website;
This facility maintains a premier collection of fine art treasures. Come see the artistic process firsthand, engaging with internationally recognized artists in a working studio environment. Educational programs include the Valise Project and Luxcursion with the resident artist.

Tour Legoland California
Only themepark of its kind in America, over 40 major rides and attractions in the bright Legobrick colors. Designed primarily to give a fun educational play experience to young children ages 2-12. The many attractions, rides, shows and play areas feature the bright cheerful Lego colors and toys. Play activities include driving electric cars, boats and aircraft and to explore many fantasy settings.

San Elijo State Beach - Cardiff CA
Just south of Encinitas - features swimming, surfing and picnicking. The narrow, bluff-backed stretch of sand has a nearby reef popular with snorklers and divers. The Cardiff Reef is located just off the mouth of San Elijo Lagoon and is a popular surfing spot. The beach extends along Coast Highway 101, 3/4 mile north from San Elijo Lagoon's entrance channel. This is the first California state park to feature wireless internet service.

Cardiff State Beach
One mile south of Cardiff on Old Highway 101. 760-753-5091; State Beach Website;
Located on a gently sloping sandy beach with warm water, this site offers swimming, surfing and beachcombing. Located next to Cardiff's Restaurant Row.

Moonlight State Beach
Located west of I-5 on Encinitas Boulevard in Encinitas; 760-633-2740; State Beach Website;
This wide, sandy beach offers swimming, surfing and fishing. Facilities include volleyball and tennis courts, recreational equipment rentals and a snack bar. This beach became popular in the early 1900's when local families would come here for midnight picnics - hence the name.

Leucadia State Beach - Beacon's Beach
The City of Encinitas operates Leucadia State Beach (listed as Beacon's Beach). Swimming, surfing, fishing and picnicking are popular at this small, rocky beach. The beach access is via an improved trail at the foot of Leucadia Boulevard.

La Paloma Theater
471 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024; 760-436-5774; Theatre Website;
Since 1928, this Spanish Colonial style building has been a landmark cultural center of Encinitas hosting many celebrity movie stars and concert performances. Still today when the stage is not in use, the theater runs art house cinema screeings.
Cottonwood Creek Film Festival [JUN] - kids films, films on costal issues, socially conscious environmental films, and our feature movie.

Cardiff's Restaurant Row
Find a number of quality restaurants, nightclubs, retail shops and art galleries along the Encinitas Coastline, the Cedros Design District and across from the Solana Beach Train Station.

Encinitas Street Fair - Late April
US Hwy 101, Encinitas, Fair Info
Annual event since 1984, this fair features over 400 arts and craft vendors and also the 101 Artist' Colony presenting their local history artwork.

Poinsettia Festival - November
US Hwy 101, Encinitas, Fair Info
Annual event since 1978 with over 400 special vendors presenting music, arts and crafts. This premier North County holiday shopping event features the Flower Capital Pavilion and toga parade.

Taste of Encinitas [AUG]
Downtown Encinitas; Festival Website
the Taste of MainStreet has become one of the largest and most successful events of its kind in San Diego County. Participating restaurants will offer delicious samples of a vast variety of food. Guests will be treated to 30 different taste sensations.

San Dieguito River Park
Future parkland property rich in habitat, cultural recreational and scenic values as well as a future route for a Coast-to-Crest Trail.

Encinitas Ranch Golf Course
18 championship holes in a unique setting carved from a magnificent sweep of bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Public course with five sets of tees.

Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas
located along the coast of San Diego's North County, joined the Scripps system in 1978. The hospital has 140 acute-care licensed beds and more than 700 employees. Scripps Encinitas offers a full range of clinical and surgical services including 24-hour emergency services, intensive care, cancer/oncology, nuclear medicine, radiology, orthopedics, neurology, urology, ophthalmology and an ambulatory surgery center. Specialty services and programs based on the campus include the Scripps Rehabilitation Center, Spine Program, Leichtag Family Birth Pavilion, cancer services, outpatient imaging center and kidney dialysis.

Mira Costa College
Founded in 1934 as Oceanside-Carlsbad Junior College, the second community college in San Diego County. Today this facility provides advanced educational opportunities to 14000 students in North San Diego County with campuses in South Oceanside and San Elijo.

California Institute for Human Science - Encinitas CA
701 Garden View Ct, Encinitas, CA 92024; 760-634-1771; School Website;
Aims at the integration of religion and science as a integral view of human beings.

Seacrest Village at Encinitas
Village Website
The Leichtag Family Foundation Campus, recently named one of the "50 Best Retirement Communities in America", has been in operation since 1989. Located in San Diego's north county coastal city of Encinitas, cool ocean breezes, sunshine and swaying palms are an everyday part of life for our residents.

Carlsbad Ranch Resort Tour
This commercial district is located in the heart of the city and is home to such fine attractions as Legoland, The Flower Fields, The Museum of Making Music, Crossings Golf Course, and the Gemological Institute Several of the finest resort hotels in California are also located here.

South Carlsbad Resort Tour
This portion of the Carlsbad is home to upscale resort residential communities, famous golf resorts, and precious natural habitat.

Moonlight Beach Days Inn - Encinitas California 85 Encinitas Boulevard The Moonlight Beach Days Inn is conveniently located off the I-5 on Encinitas Blvd. between Los Angeles and San Diego. This vacation property is in close proximity to Legoland and all major San Diego attractions. Spacious two room suite featuring a king size bed, a pull-out couch (queen bed), coffee maker, refrigerator, microwave, and color TV with remote. Hotel offers a sparkling heated outdoor pool and sun deck for your enjoyment.

Encinitas California Portofino Inn 186 North Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024; Location: North of Encinitas Blvd junction with Coast Highway Along a historic stretch of Encinitas and just 2 blocks from legendary Moonlight beach, stands a hidden oasis of solitude for those travlers seeking a delightful atmoshere and comfortable beach-life accommodations at an affordable price.Long known for its coastal views and nostalgic feel, this oceanfront community provides the ideal backdrop for the newly remodeled Portofino Beach Inn.

Encinitas California Ocean Inn 1444 North Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024; Location: Near Leucadia Blvd junction with Coast Highway The Ocean Inn embodies the warmth of Leucadia with personalized service, newly remodeled interiors in each room, free continental deluxe breakfast and lush landscaping. One can enjoy the air-conditioned Mini Suit rooms, watch TV, dine at great local restaurants, or treat oneself to the Jacuzzi rooms.

Rancho Santa Fe Inn The Rancho Santa Fe Inn is a charming hotel with 87 spacious guestrooms, suites and private cottages. It is surrounded by the gardens of flowers and rolling hills of the Village of Rancho Santa Fe.

Encinitas California Accommodations: More vacation resort lodging available in this area: Cardiff Comfort Inn Encinitas EconoLodge Encinitas Howard Johnson Encinitas Ocean Inn Encinitas Portofino Inn Leucadia Beach Inn Moonlight Beach Best Western Moonlight Beach Days Inn