Encinitas
Swami’s
A reef break below the bluff-top Self-Realization Fellowship gardens, reached by a long staircase. Best for experienced surfers, and busy on good days.
The lifestyle
Live the coastal SoCal life
Surf breaks, sea lions, historic landmarks, lagoons, trails, bike rides, wine country and nights out: a local’s short list for San Diego, North County and Temecula.
Every neighborhood comes with a lifestyle. Here are some of the places that make this stretch of coast special. Ask Joe which areas put you closest to the ones you care about most.
Surf spots
Surf
From reef breaks in Encinitas to the piers of Oceanside and Pacific Beach, there is a wave for every level along this coast.
Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Cardiff Reef
A reef break at the mouth of San Elijo Lagoon, popular with longboarders and shortboarders, with the coast highway and cafes right behind it.
Oceanside
Oceanside Pier
Beach-break peaks on either side of the long wooden pier, with the Strand and downtown Oceanside a short walk away.
Pacific Beach
Tourmaline Surfing Park
At the north end of Pacific Beach, a surfing-only area with a mellow, rolling wave that longboarders love.
La Jolla
Black’s Beach
Below the Torrey Pines cliffs, an offshore submarine canyon focuses swell into some of the most powerful beach-break waves in the region. Access is by steep trail.
La Jolla
La Jolla Shores
A long, gentle beach with surf schools and beginner-friendly waves, and Scripps Pier at its north end.
La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove
Sea lions on the rocks, tide pools at low tide and kayaks heading for the sea caves, all a short walk from the village.
La Jolla Cove
Sea lions and seals
Sea lions haul out on the rocks around the Cove, and harbor seals gather nearby at Children’s Pool. Keep your distance: marine mammals are federally protected.
La Jolla coast
Tide pools
At low tide the rocky reefs along the La Jolla coast reveal anemones, crabs and limpets. Check a tide chart and watch your footing.
La Jolla Cove
Kayaking and snorkeling
Guided kayak tours paddle out to the La Jolla sea caves, and the Cove’s waters are part of the protected San Diego–La Jolla Underwater Park.
History
Historic places
Spanish-revival landmarks, a Victorian beach hotel, a 1798 mission and the spot where European exploration of the West Coast began.
San Diego
Balboa Park
Spanish-revival buildings from the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition, museums, gardens and the San Diego Zoo in one large city park.
San Diego
Old Town San Diego
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park preserves the city’s early days, with restored adobes, museums, shops and restaurants.
Coronado
Hotel del Coronado
The Victorian beachfront landmark opened in 1888 and is a National Historic Landmark.
Oceanside
Mission San Luis Rey
Founded in 1798, Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is known as the King of the Missions, with a church, museum and grounds open to visitors.
Point Loma
Cabrillo National Monument
On the tip of Point Loma, it marks Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo’s 1542 arrival in San Diego Bay, with the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, tide pools and wide bay views.
On the water
Aquatic places
Aquariums, a giant bay built for play and North County’s quiet coastal lagoons.
La Jolla
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The public aquarium of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, on a hill above La Jolla Shores.
Mission Bay
SeaWorld San Diego
The marine theme park on Mission Bay, with aquariums, animal exhibits and rides.
San Diego
Mission Bay
A large aquatic park with sandy coves and calm water for paddleboarding, sailing and kayaking, ringed by bike and walking paths.
Carlsbad
Batiquitos Lagoon
A coastal lagoon in south Carlsbad with an easy nature trail along its north shore, good for birdwatching.
Carlsbad
Agua Hedionda Lagoon
Carlsbad’s lagoon for kayaking, paddleboarding and other water sports, with rentals on the shore.
Carlsbad and Oceanside
Buena Vista Lagoon
A freshwater lagoon and ecological reserve on the Carlsbad–Oceanside line, with a nature center run by Buena Vista Audubon.
Trails
Hiking
Ocean bluffs on the coast and big granite summits inland, most within a short drive of home.
La Jolla and Del Mar
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Sandstone bluffs, rare Torrey pine trees and short trails that end at ocean overlooks.
San Diego
Cowles Mountain
The highest point in the city of San Diego, in Mission Trails Regional Park: a steady climb with views in every direction from the top.
Mount Woodson, near Poway
Potato Chip Rock
A thin ledge of granite famous for photos. The hike is long, hot and exposed, so start early and bring plenty of water.
Poway
Iron Mountain
A popular trail with a steady climb to summit views over inland North County.
Rides
Biking
A coast highway built for cyclists, a loop around San Diego Bay and flat paths around Mission Bay.
Oceanside to Del Mar
Coast Highway 101
Bike lanes run much of the way along the coast highway through Carlsbad, Leucadia, Encinitas, Cardiff and Solana Beach, with coffee stops all along the route.
San Diego Bay
Bayshore Bikeway
A route around San Diego Bay through Coronado, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista and National City, with long flat stretches along the Silver Strand.
San Diego
Mission Bay paths
Flat paths circle much of Mission Bay and connect to the boardwalk through Mission Beach and Pacific Beach.
Wine country
Temecula wine country
Inland Temecula Valley trades the beach for vineyards, tasting rooms and sunrise balloon flights.
Temecula
Temecula Valley wineries
Wineries line Rancho California Road and De Portola Road, with tasting rooms, vineyard views and restaurants.
Temecula
Hot air balloons
Early-morning balloon flights drift over the vineyards and valley, weather permitting.
Temecula
Old Town Temecula
Western-style storefronts, restaurants and tasting rooms along Front Street.
Nights out
Nightlife
Downtown energy in San Diego and easygoing evenings in the coastal villages.
Downtown San Diego
Gaslamp Quarter
The historic downtown district of restaurants, rooftop bars and clubs, next to the convention center.
San Diego
Little Italy
Restaurants, wine bars and the Saturday Mercato farmers market along India Street and nearby blocks.
San Diego
North Park
Craft beer, cocktail bars and live music around University Avenue and 30th Street.
San Diego
Pacific Beach
Beach bars along Garnet Avenue and the boardwalk, with sunsets at Crystal Pier.
Solana Beach
Belly Up
A long-running live music venue that books touring and local acts most nights of the week.
Encinitas
Downtown Encinitas
Restaurants, breweries and music along Coast Highway 101 under the Encinitas sign.
Carlsbad
Carlsbad Village
Walkable blocks of restaurants and wine bars a short stroll from the beach and the train station.
Oceanside
Downtown Oceanside
Restaurants and rooftop bars near the pier, plus the Sunset Market street fair on Thursday evenings.
Photos are free stock images from Unsplash, captioned with what each photo shows; see credits. Place descriptions are general information; hours, access, rules and conditions change, so check with each venue or agency before you go. Businesses named here are not affiliated with Joe Chilcote or Compass.
Let’s talk
Ready when you are. No pressure.
Whether you’re ready to move this month or just starting to think about it, let’s have a quick, no-obligation conversation about your goals.