Friday, March 1, 2013

Activities Every Encinitas Visitor Must Do

By Terry Hunefeld


Just what is it about Encinitas that makes it so fascinating, so special? Yes, its a gorgeous little beach town, but what makes it so very different from other beach towns in San Diego county? The answer is, in part, the fact that Encinitas is still lost in time " back in the 1960s " when California was a simpler place. But you can still experience some of that feel by visiting the following must see places:

1. Where Else In California Can You Take A Walk In A Rainforest?

Lovely Quail Botanical Gardens is less than a mile from the Pacific Ocean with more than 32 acres full of endangered and extraordinary plants from all around the world. Tours and nature walks each day take visitors down the wonderfully scenic trails (with killer views of the ocean!), through totally unique tropical gardens, arid desert gardens, enormous bamboo groves, California native plant gardens, a rainforest with its own waterfall, Mediterranean gardens, tropical fruit gardens and a unique children's garden. At once beautiful and serene, Quail Gardens is a place to spend an entire day simply enjoying nature in all its splendor.

2. Yes, You CAN Learn To Surf

Famous Kahuna Bobs Surfing School has been training SoCal surfers for nearly 23 years. He taught me to surf in 1999. His entertaining and totally unique teaching methods put you right at ease when you are learning " and its a load of fun. The Kahuna is so good that the City awarded him the only surf-lesson license at the best beginner surfing beach in all of Encinitas (Beacons Beach) where waves almost always break perfectly for beginners and experts alike.

3. Become A Beach Boy (or Girl)

World renown Swamis Beach was made famous in 1963 by the Beach Boys hit song Surfin USA. Only two blocks from downtown on U.S. Highway 101, Swamis still draws the finest surfers in the world on a daily basis, making for wonderful watching from the cliffs above. A mammoth wooden staircase with built-in benches takes you down to the beach. The picnic tables along the cliff edge at the top are a breathtaking spot to sit and take in the sweeping views of the ocean and witness phenomenal surfing feats.

4. Watch A Movie In An Authentic Movie House

Do you remember what the old-time movie theaters felt like? You can relive that experience by taking in a film at La Paloma Theatre. They offer a bit of everything from first-run movies to art movies (think Rocky Horror Picture Show) plus surfing and snowboarding film premieres. La Paloma was built in the 1920s and takes you back in time. Plus, the popcorn is to die for.

5. Meditate At An Authentic Temple

Swami Yoganandas philosophy of love and introspection has attracted tens of thousands of worshipers and followers from all around the world ever since he came to Encinitas in 1936 and built the Self-Realization Temple on a cliff overlooking the ocean. The serene and gorgeous grounds with lush gardens and quiet Koi ponds are open free-of-charge to you every day where you can breathe deeply, relax and meditate to the sound of the pounding surf far below.

6. Work On Your Tan

The most popular beach in all of North County San Diego is Moonlight Beach, just two blocks from downtown - its a wonderful spot to soak up sun, enjoy a picnic, play volleyball, surf, boogie-board, body surf, read a book, watch other people people-watch or simply take it easy. Its a state park complete with plenty of parking, fine life guard stations, beach-gear rentals, showers, playground, snack and lunch shop and even fire-rings on the beach where you and your friends can enjoy bonfires late into the night.

7. Relax In Your Private Hot Tub And Watch The Sun Set

The Inn at Moonlight Beach is a romantic Bed and Breakfast Inn overlooking the Pacific Ocean. No other B&B Inn is so close to the beach. The lovely rooms and suites remind you of a French-European Seaside Inn. The Penthouse Suite has a private balcony over-looking the Pacific Ocean with its own very private hot tub making for spectacular romantic sunsets.




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