By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com San Diego Editor
It is as cool as its classic car nights during the summer, as captivating as its several sidewalk eating and drinking spots, as invigorating as its pinch-me-I’m-here beautiful beaches, as chill as its people yet as rad as its renowned Swami’s surf break.
It also has one of the best – if not the best – burgers in San Diego.
Encinitas is the cool little California beach town you have to visit. For one thing, it has breweries and bars with live music as well as some hip nightlife. Spanning from Leucadia to Cardiff-by-the-Sea along the California coast in San Diego’s North County (as well as some inland parts), Encinitas is so timeless it’s almost like being in the 60s surf movie Endless Summer, but with a modern twist.
Here’s a rundown of fun things to do and places to eat and drink when you get there.
Swami’s Beach
One of the top surf spots in San Diego is here next to the San Elijo State Beach camping area. A right point break, the only one in the area, makes this one of the most popular surfing spots in all of Southern California. And that’s saying a lot.
It’s at the bottom of a cliff with views that make you pause, look to the heavens and give thanks that you are there. Seacliff Roadside Park is the name of the bluff and it is distinguishable for another feature: carved wooden statues that make you think you took a wrong turn and wound up on Easter Island.
Coastal Bike Riding
The location of Encinitas makes it an excellent place to ride a bike. Bike lanes go along the highway right by the coast inviting frequent stops. Which, when timed right, will put you in the town for lunch or dinner, beers, cocktails or live music.
If you’ve had too much of the above, then simply put your bike on the Coaster train that stops in the center of Encinitas.
Encinitas Nightlife: Breweries, Lounges & Live Music Bars
Let’s start with the beer, shall we? Modern Times is a San Diego craft brewery (it was founded in Point Loma) with a tap room and restaurant in Encinitas.
There’s a lot more craft beer poured in Encinitas, too. The Brewer’s Tap Room, Culture Brewing and Biergarden area all lined up along the downtown main street (South Coast Highway) with outdoor seating that are nearly impossible to walk past without taking a seat and ordering a cold one or a cocktail. There is also The Lost Abbey in Cardiff.
For cocktails, Sago is a really cool lounge next to the old movie theater that brings a bit of Vegas flair to this beach town. But don’t worry; it’s not the least bit pretentious. To the south in “the lumberyard” (a nice shopping center that was once a lumberyard), Cocina de Barrio Cantina mixes up several interesting margaritas. After all, you can’t consider yourself a cool California beach city if you don’t have a good margarita. Shelter is a restaurant and lounge with a retractable roof that has DJs at night. Temaki Bar is a sushi restaurant that has a bit of a bar scene. Encinitas also has Union Tap, a bar/restaurant with several locations in San Diego
The Roxy, or simply “the Rox” – is a live music bar, as is Mr. Peabody’s. The Roxy has live music seven nights a week, plus Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Mr. Peabody’s has Sunday night Jazz Jam and karaoke on Tuesdays in addition to its Friday and Saturday bands. Neither has a cover charge.
San Diego’s Best Burger?
@pubclub.com It’s multi napkin juicy, it’s certainly on the podium of best burgers in San Diego. Encinitas Ale House #pubclub #bestburger #bestburgerintown #bestburgers #sandiego #encinatas ♬ original sound – PubClub
I am very selective about handing out “best burger” accolades but the one at Encinitas Ale House had me questioning my choice of PB dive bar Rocky’s Crown Point as the home to San Diego’s best burger at the very first bite.
The juice of the meat filled my mouth and the bun, which covered an insanely large burger, started to collapse. That is the sign of a juicy burger. The quality of the meat is outstanding – that’s my big issue with the burgers at Hodad’s – and I left impressed.
Plus, true to its name, Encinitas Ale House has several good beers no tap and a lot of other enticing menu items I saw being brought out to other customers. The pizza in particular looked fantastic.
Top Encinitas Events
• Classic Car Nights
On the third Thursday of each summer month, from May through September, hundreds of classic cars line up along S. Coast Hwy 101, as well on adjacent side streets and parking lots from D to K streets. There is everything from classic California surf woodies to mid-50s Chevys to muscle cars.
The entire town turns out for Encinitas Cruise Nights, strolling the street and stopping in the restaurants and bars for food and drinks. The event is free and goes from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Taste Of Encinitas
More than 30 downtown restaurants and bars take part in this event, which is Tuesday, Aug. 27 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $50: Purchase Tickets to the 2024 Taste of Encinitas
• Oktoberfest
The Encinitas Oktoberfest is an annual event of beer (naturally), bands (including an oompha band playing Bavarian music), carnival rides and a festival atmosphere. The 2024 event is Sunday, Sept. 29, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. It takes place at Mountain Vista Drive between Wandering Rd. and Rambling Rd.
Getting To Encinitas
The aforementioned Coaster – the schedule is here – rolls to Encinitas fron San Diego to the south and Oceanside from the north. Encinitas is between Amtrak stops in Oceanside and Solona Beach. For those driving, off Interstate 5 the best exit is Encinitas Blvd.