Elizabeth’s guidebook
Local Restaurants and Cafes We Recommend
Encinitas, Cardiff and Leucadia have many wonderful eateries. We are "foodies" so we will only recommend restaurants which offer excellent food and service.
Pannikin Coffee & Tea
510 N Coast Hwy 10165
íbúar mæla meðBest coffee and gluten free muffins!
Swami's Cafe
1163 South Coast Highway 10138
íbúar mæla meðGreat breakfast place!
Great high end pizza and salads with good wine and micro-brew beer options in downtown Encinitas.
37
íbúar mæla meðBlue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria
897 South Coast Highway 10137
íbúar mæla meðGreat high end pizza and salads with good wine and micro-brew beer options in downtown Encinitas.
Lovely restaurant/local winery, fun outdoor patio, nice bar indoors, sometimes have live music. Located in Leucadia on coast highway.
51
íbúar mæla meðSolterra Winery & Kitchen
934 North Coast Highway 10151
íbúar mæla meðLovely restaurant/local winery, fun outdoor patio, nice bar indoors, sometimes have live music. Located in Leucadia on coast highway.
VG Donut & Bakery
106 Aberdeen Drive32
íbúar mæla meðFamous local donuts and pastries located in Cardiff.
Walking distance (just across Mt. Vista at the corner of El Camino). Great food and fun atmosphere. Family friendly.
The Craftsman Tavern
267 North El Camino RealWalking distance (just across Mt. Vista at the corner of El Camino). Great food and fun atmosphere. Family friendly.
Jorge's Mexicatessen
267 N El Camino RealExcellent and inexpensive Mexican food. Just one block away!
Sushi Bar Blue Fin
257 North El Camino RealWalking distance. Great sushi, family friendly.
Excellent rolls and specials. Easier to get into than Blue Fin but just as good in our opinion.
Hooked on sushi
272 N El Camino RealExcellent rolls and specials. Easier to get into than Blue Fin but just as good in our opinion.
A trip to Handle's is very memorable! The servings are humongous! Fun outing after a day at Moonlight Beach which is right down the street.
22
íbúar mæla meðHandel's Homemade Ice Cream
90 N Coast Hwy 10122
íbúar mæla meðA trip to Handle's is very memorable! The servings are humongous! Fun outing after a day at Moonlight Beach which is right down the street.
Excellent for breakfast or lunch. Gluten-free and vegan options. Love the pancakes!
30
íbúar mæla meðLotus Cafe & Juice Bar
765 South Coast Highway 10130
íbúar mæla meðExcellent for breakfast or lunch. Gluten-free and vegan options. Love the pancakes!
One of our favorite cafes near Moonlight Beach. Go for a walk on the beach just down the street then have breakfast at Lofty ...a great weekend starter. We love the avocado toast and lattes.
46
íbúar mæla meðLofty Coffee Company
90 North Coast Highway 10146
íbúar mæla meðOne of our favorite cafes near Moonlight Beach. Go for a walk on the beach just down the street then have breakfast at Lofty ...a great weekend starter. We love the avocado toast and lattes.
A fun place for dinner and live music. Great food and wine list. Outdoor patio in back is a special place to enjoy a meal.
60
íbúar mæla meðLe Papagayo
1002 North Coast Highway 10160
íbúar mæla meðA fun place for dinner and live music. Great food and wine list. Outdoor patio in back is a special place to enjoy a meal.
Beaches and other local spots
What to do in Encinitas
Family friendly beach with bathrooms, snack bar, playground, lots of lifeguards. Not a great surf spot but convenient with parking and all the amenities. After a day at the beach visit local restaurants nearby or stop for an ice cream at Handles.
66
íbúar mæla meðMoonlight State Beach
400 B St66
íbúar mæla meðFamily friendly beach with bathrooms, snack bar, playground, lots of lifeguards. Not a great surf spot but convenient with parking and all the amenities. After a day at the beach visit local restaurants nearby or stop for an ice cream at Handles.
Cardiff State Beach
42
íbúar mæla meðGreat surf spot, mostly locals. Must pay to park.
Great local surf spot. Must pay to park. Fun restaurants nearby such as Tower 13, Pacific Coast Grill, Las Olas, and Kai's.
7
íbúar mæla meðSan Elijo State Beach
7
íbúar mæla meðGreat local surf spot. Must pay to park. Fun restaurants nearby such as Tower 13, Pacific Coast Grill, Las Olas, and Kai's.
Swami's State Beach
1298 South Coast Highway 10152
íbúar mæla meðLocal surf spot near downtown Encinitas.
Fun playgrounds for the kids, dog park, sport fields, skate park.
14
íbúar mæla meðEncinitas Community Park
425 Santa Fe Drive14
íbúar mæla meðFun playgrounds for the kids, dog park, sport fields, skate park.
Beautiful meditation garden and views of the Pacific ocean. Entrance is free.
62
íbúar mæla meðSelf-Realization Fellowship Encinitas Temple
1105 2nd Street62
íbúar mæla meðBeautiful meditation garden and views of the Pacific ocean. Entrance is free.
Gorgeous gardens with children's play areas, gift shop, and walking paths.
82
íbúar mæla meðSan Diego Botanic Garden
230 Quail Gardens Dr82
íbúar mæla meðGorgeous gardens with children's play areas, gift shop, and walking paths.
San Diego Adventures
San Diego has many tourist attractions to visit, all under 30 minutes from your home base in Encinitas.
There is so much to do and see at Balboa Park. From the Museum of Art to the San Diego Zoo, you will love spending a day here!
1057
íbúar mæla meðBalboa Park
1057
íbúar mæla meðThere is so much to do and see at Balboa Park. From the Museum of Art to the San Diego Zoo, you will love spending a day here!
Seaworld is a fun place to visit but can get really crowded so plan accordingly.
312
íbúar mæla meðSeaWorld San Diego
500 Sea World Dr312
íbúar mæla meðSeaworld is a fun place to visit but can get really crowded so plan accordingly.
Just a 30 minute drive. Fun place to spend the day. Gets really hot in the summer.
50
íbúar mæla meðSan Diego Zoo Safari Park
50
íbúar mæla meðJust a 30 minute drive. Fun place to spend the day. Gets really hot in the summer.
Legoland
One Legoland Dr52
íbúar mæla meðJust 15 minutes away.
The Forum Carlsbad
1911 Calle Barcelona14
íbúar mæla meðGreat shopping center with H & M, Lulu Lemon, Apple store, etc.
Fun day trip, rent bikes at the Del Coronado or walk on the path around the Island.
196
íbúar mæla meðCoronado Island
196
íbúar mæla meðFun day trip, rent bikes at the Del Coronado or walk on the path around the Island.