Defined by its beach culture, the North County neighborhood of Encinitas is known for its optimal surf conditions, laid back vibe, and six miles of coastline. In its downtown located along Highway 101, you’ll find eclectic restaurants, beach-inspired shops, and historic architecture, flanked by the Pacific Ocean and Coaster train tracks.
From the lush flora at San Diego Botanic Garden and Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens to the serene shores of Moonlight State Beach and Swami’s, Encinitas is an idyllic spot for spending time outdoors. Our Encinitas neighborhood guide highlights some of the best things to do, places to eat, and shops to visit during your next trip north.
Encinitas Restaurants, Bars, and Coffee Shops
The Taco Stand
If you don’t mind waiting in a long line to order, this Tijuana-style taco shop promises handmade tortillas and a salsa bar with options ranging from spicy to creamy. With large portions and modest prices, The Taco Stand pumps out favorites like tacos filled with al pastor or spicy shrimp, California burritos, carne asada fries, and some of the best Rosarito-style churros this side of the border.
642 S Coast Hwy 101
Herb & Sea
Founded by celebrity chef Brian Malarkey, Herb & Sea is a popular upscale seafood restaurant overseen by chef Aidan Owens who’s known for his butchery skills, often on display during live fish breakdowns at local farmers’ markets. Owens showcases locally sourced seafood in dishes like mussel toast and fish crudos from its raw bar. Sit outside on the back patio for a more casual setting, or inside at the bar for a buzzy social scene.
131 West D St.
Carin de Ria
Family-run Filipino restaurant Carin de Ria serves up traditional dishes like pancit, lechon, sisig, lumpia, and other comfort foods. Weekday lunch specials are a great value, with entrees including pork or chicken adobo served with rice, pancit, and lumpia for $14. The desserts are not to be missed here either. You can’t go wrong with the halo-halo, leche flan, or banana turon.
124 West I St.
Cocina de Barrio
Known for its daily brunch service with items like chilaquiles and sopes benedicts, this Mexican restaurant also has a full tequila and mezcal bar serving artfully prepared cocktails. Cocina de Barrio has a sizeable happy hour menu and several vegetarian and vegan options to choose from. Try one of its drinks of the month for a fun cocktail like a banana elote old fashioned.
967 S Coast Hwy 101, Suite 101
CHIKO
Chinese and Korean flavors are behind CHIKO, a modern Asian fusion concept from 2025 James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur semifinalists Danny Lee and Scott Drewno. Orange-ish chicken, crispy chicken spring rolls, and smashed salmon are best-sellers at this self-service eatery with a small outdoor patio overlooking Highway 101. Don’t skip the housemade hot sauce.
101 N Coast Hwy 101
Plumeria Thai
You won’t miss the meat at this vegetarian Thai restaurant that puts protein sources like jackfruit, mixed beans, tofu, and mock duck atop curries, noodles, and rice dishes. Plumeria Thai is a no-frills restaurant attracting the health-conscious with its fresh spring rolls, old school pad thai, and savory pumpkin curry.
527 S Coast Hwy 101
The Crack Shack
A favorite among families thanks to a sand pit and games to keep the little ones entertained, The Crack Shack’s only North County outpost serves up its signature Jidori fried chicken by the bucket, bowl, salad, or sandwich. From the team behind Juniper & Ivy, this elevated chicken spot uses top-notch ingredients ranging from miso-maple butter and Oaxacan cheeses to dipping sauces like housemade ranch, Baja hot sauce, and its own version of ketchup.
407 Encinitas Blvd.
Sago Encinitas
Completely unassuming from the outside, stepping into Sago is like entering a nightclub lounge with lush jungle decor and low lighting—the perfect backdrop for date night or girls night out. Here you’ll find an Asian fusion menu with tapas-style bites like lobster bao buns and tuna sashimi, paired with sake or tropical cocktails. On weekends, a DJ transforms the vibey space into a dance party.
485 S Coast Hwy 101
Lofty Coffee
With two locations directly across the street from each other, one might think Lofty Coffee wouldn’t have enough foot traffic to keep both shops in business. Not the case. This locally owned shop with a cult following serves up organic brews in the form of Aztec mochas and Turkish coffees. At its larger Roasting Works location, Lofty has plenty of indoor/outdoor space for families to move around or remote workers to hunker down. Its smaller location is part of The Lofts shopping center and is convenient for grab & go orders.
97 N Coast Hwy 101; 90 N Coast Hwy 101, Suite 214
Encinitas Fish Shop
This casual seafood joint lets you pick a type of fish, select a marinade like its signature Fish Shop seasoning that’s a Cajun dry rub with brown sugar, then decide whether you want it served as a sandwich, taco, salad, or plated entree with sides. Inquire about daily specials that include seasonal fresh catches like Hawaiian ono. Its namesake shrimp appetizer is a must-order.
1010 S Coast Hwy 101
Cali Cream
Homemade ice cream shop Cali Cream may seem familiar if you’ve ever visited a Handel’s in the past. Crowd favorites like graham central station, banana cream pie, and chocolate peanut butter brownie are on the menu here, along with 50 other flavors. They also have bakery items such as cookies, cupcakes, brownies—and yes—ice cream cakes, too.
90 N Coast Hwy 101, Suite 101
Buona Forchetta
Find Neapolitan-style (thin crust) pizzas and Northern Italian dishes including classic pastas with cacio e pepe, carbonara, and Bolognese sauce, plus salads and antipasti at this neighborhood Italian joint. With five locations throughout the county, Buona Forchetta is a local favorite thanks to its authenticity—both in ingredients and staff that mostly speaks Italian—and consistency in creating a charming, welcoming ambiance.
250 N Coast Hwy 101
The Cottage
Skip the long wait times at its original location in La Jolla and head to The Cottage Encinitas for brunch instead. Serving healthy California fare for breakfast, lunch, and brunch, they specialize in classic egg dishes, omelets, and benedicts like its signature Eggs La Jolla Benedict. There’s also fluffy pancakes, stuffed French toast, and its housemade granola that’s so popular they sell it by the bag.
127 N El Camino Real, Suite H
Things to Do in Encinitas, CA
San Diego Botanic Garden
Find the largest display of bamboo in North America at San Diego Botanic Garden, where there are 15 gardens representing various regions of the world. The 37-acre garden has more than 5,000 species of plants, plus special children’s areas and cool events like yoga classes and concerts. They host a popular holiday lights show called Lightscape that kicks off each November when the garden is decked out with festive installations.
300 Quail Gardens Drive
Moonlight State Beach
One of the easiest beaches to access, Moonlight also has the most amenities. A snack bar, beach rentals (think umbrellas, chairs, and boogie boards), fire pits, restrooms, volleyball courts, picnic tables, a playground, and year-round lifeguards make this a top beach pick. They also host free summer concerts on certain Sundays throughout July and August.
400 B St.
Dave’s Rock Garden
This painted rock garden with inspiring messages is worth checking out during a visit to nearby Moonlight State Beach. Dave’s Rock Garden has beautiful succulents and upwards of 7,000 painted rocks from more than 115 countries. Bring your own colorful rock to leave in the place of your choosing.
200-298 B St.
Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens
Arguably the most tranquil place in town, the Meditation Gardens are beautifully maintained at Self-Realization Fellowship Encinitas Temple. It’s a peaceful place to meditate, read, or simply take in the sweeping views of Swami’s Beach from benches perched high above the bluffs. Admission is free, but phones must remain silenced.
215 West K St.
Swami’s Beach
Access to this famed surf spot is discrete, making it a favorite among locals trying to avoid summer crowds. Beach access is via a staircase atop sea cliffs, located across from the grassy Swami’s Seaside Park that provides restrooms, picnic tables, and a tiny parking lot.
1341 1st St.
La Paloma Theatre
San Diego’s oldest movie theater still in operation, La Paloma was one of the first to show “talkies” (movies with sound). This single-screen, vintage theater also hosts special events like musical performances throughout the year. Architecture buffs will appreciate its historic Spanish Colonial Revival style; others will be pleased to find out ticket admission is just $12.
471 S Coast Hwy 101
Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego North
This museum and working artists’ studio is the sister museum to Balboa Park’s Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) San Diego. Curated exhibits show work from artists who may not have the opportunity to present its work in more traditional galleries. Don’t miss the sculpture trail featuring 11 nature-inspired installations. Admission is free.
1578 S El Camino Real
Street Fairs on the 101
Twice a year, Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association takes over several city blocks along Highway 101 to hold a Spring Street Fair (typically in April or May) and Holiday Street Fair (November). The community event invites pedestrians to shop from street vendors offering arts and crafts, clothes and jewelry, prepared food, and much more.
S Coast Hwy 101
Encinitas Shops & Boutiques
Brixton
Trendy hats in men’s and women’s styles are the focal point of Brixton, an apparel brand born in North County. Its Encinitas shop is the brand’s first brick-and-mortar, which also includes a small clothing selection. Patrons can build their own hat with personalized customizations like feathers and bands, and do a hat fitting to find their perfect size and style.
670 S Coast Hwy 101
Aloha Collection
Aloha Collection wants to make sure you never come home with a soggy beach bag. Its Splash-Proof collection of totes, pouches, backpacks, weekender and cross-body bags are made with coated Tyvek fabric that’s water-resistant, durable, and lightweight. As practical as they are cute, the bags have tropical designs available in a rainbow of colors.
687 S Coast Hwy 101, Suite 104
BlackBook Bikini
Find your next swimsuit at BlackBook Bikini, a vibrant boutique filled with suits from popular brands like Free People, LoveShackFancy, and Michael Stars. Browse mix-and-match bikinis, one-piece suits, cover-ups, dresses, and other accessories for a stylish day on the sand.
960 S Coast Hwy 101, Suite 101
Artifact Books
New, used, and rare books in every genre can be found at Artifact Books. Its hand-picked collection includes first-editions, vintages, and antiquities, as well as a selection of signed and collectible books. They also host author signing events and discussions.
603 S Coast Hwy 101
Salt Culture
Housed inside a 1930s beach bungalow, Salt Culture is a boutique founded by professional surfer Rob Machado and his wife Sophie. Salt Culture’s collection of clothing, gifts, and home goods was inspired by the owners’ global travels to far-flung beach locales. You can even score a custom Machado-designed surfboard here.
930 S Coast Hwy 101
Thread Spun
Sustainable and ethical brands are the heart of Thread Spun, a beautifully curated boutique selling clothes, jewelry, stationery, home decor, gifts, and bath products. They also host workshops on everything from sewing and eco-printing to botanical dyeing.
1114 N Coast Hwy 101, Suite 4
SoulScape Gift & Bookstore
New age shop SoulScape is where you can find tarot cards, crystals, incense, sage bundles, candles, books, journals, and other specialty items in the spiritual realm. Soak in the good energy while picking out a soulful gift at this eclectic local gem.
765 S Coast Hwy 101, Suite 106
